Clanranald pier: a way forward to conserve this important historic site!

Built in 1790, Clanranald harbour is  C-listed and comprises of 2 piers, one of which is  still in use and is now badly in need of repairs. To identify a 0way forward, Comunn Eachdraidh Eige, the Eigg History Society, contacted Historic Environment Scotland for specialist advice.

As a result, Martin Hadlington, a Historic Building consultant and architect based in Oban accompanied by Bill Revie, a Material and Building consultant, came to the harbour on  30 July 2019. This could not have been a better day with the sun shining gloriously and the team was very impressed by the overall state of preservation of the main pier.

They noted the pier was built on much older foundations and had been capped with concrete in the early 20th century, which probably did more damage then good by preventing the stones from moving with the tides, leading to the some of  the larger rock pieces them coming out from the outside wall.

 It was agreed that the site was probably much older than it looks, and might have been well in use in Viking times , adding an interesting interpretation element to the repair project.

Martin Haddlington  is currently producing a preliminary survey to identify the financial scope of the work. Meanwhile, the Comun Eachdraidh ‘s Chair, Hilda Ibrahim, has made contact with the Highland council’s archaeology department with a view to appoint an archaeologist to do the necessary survey.

Completion of this phased approach within the next 2 years will enable a fully costed repair grant application to be made to Historic Environment Scotland.

Any donation towards the archaeology survey costs would be gratefully received!