Achvarasdal
Human settlement in Scotland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Achvarasdal (from the Norse placename meaning "Barr's valley", with the later, post 13th century addition of the Gaelic Ach-/Achadh- meaning "field"[1][2][3]) is a village in Caithness, Scotland, within the Highland council area. Its Gaelic name is officially Achadh Mharasdail but it is also known in Gaelic as Achadh Bhàrrasdail.
Achvarasdal
| |
|---|---|
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  Achvarasdal Location within the Caithness area | |
| OS grid reference | NC985647 |
| Council area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Postcode district | KW14 7 |
| Police | Scotland |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
Geography
Landmarks
The area includes a broch in which the lower parts of the wall are preserved, including a chamber and traces of a staircase.[5] The floor of the broch was covered with gravel in 2019 to stop weed growth, but there is still giant hogweed infesting the wallheads and surroundings.
There is a small outcrop of haematite iron at Achvarasdal.[6] Attempts at iron ore mining were made in the early 1870s, and an 1874 map reveals that a windmill was built, probably for pumping.[7] A cairn in the area indicates that it was a burial place of a Celtic maormer or a Norse warrior.[8]
Achvarasdal House and Wood
Achvarasdal House stands near the broch, in a patch of woodland that is accessible to the public.
The house was once owned by the Pilkington family.[6] The house and vicinity has been excavated and two prostrate stones and a brooch were discovered.[9][10] A. D. Pilkington of Achvarasdal House was the President of the local Gardener's Society in 1946.[11]
The house was used as a care home until 2018, run by Crossreach (formerly the Church of Scotland Board of Social Responsibility).[12]
The house and grounds are now privately owned as a family residence.[13]
The wood includes 19 native and several foreign tree species, and is home to a variety of lichens, mosses and invertebrates.[14] The wood is accessible by wheelchair.
