Condition

2
HARBOUR, QUARRY, CRAFT, boat graveyard
Post-Medieval
287468
MHG50485
Highland

Description

Harbour wall revetted with hulk remains.CFA/MORAY Coastal Assessment Survey 1998 (RCAHMS) said in 1998: Channel sides have remains of revetting post and planks on one side (N) and a wall of boulders on the South side. Post and planks on N side are part of an old boat, internal beams and external planks of oak. On 27.2.13 no revetted planks or old boat remain. This appears a fine long harbour built along the sides of what was probably initially a creek, with two burns draining into it. The harbour is composite, with a triangular area to the east for waiting vessels. The sides of the harbour, particularly on the east, are edged with large dressed stones. There is a small wooden jetty remaining near the southern entrance to the bay. Inland of the northern end of the creek is a substantial hole in the side of a hill, representing the former quarry. From this quarry to the northern end of the harbour is a lined and sunken trackway, presumably for taking stone to the harbour. The head of the harbour is lined with a bank of tiered set stones.
Master record for Bay Quarry and harbour, and partial remains of 5? wooden boats preserved within it. Timber elements of the west harbour entrance wall are not obviously recognisable ship timbers. This is a complex, multi period site linked to Fort George - one of Scotland's foremost heritage assets. It is also an unusual and rare boat graveyard containing the remains of several wooden vessels. Detailed recording of the whole site should be carried out, and the harbour and quarry assessed for significance.

Location

267868.66
853144.69
27700
57.5490444
-4.2095141

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
General view looking down to head of the harbour. Timbers of wooden boat visible 24/04/2022 General view looking down to head of the harbour. Timbers of wooden boat visible joannahambly
General view looking down to head of the harbour. Timbers of wooden boat visible
Iron sheathing on massive timber of west harbour entrance 24/04/2022 Iron sheathing on massive timber of west harbour entrance joannahambly
Iron sheathing on massive timber of west harbour entrance
Remains of wooden loading/landing walkway, looking north into quarry 24/04/2022 Remains of wooden loading/landing walkway, looking north into quarry joannahambly
Remains of wooden loading/landing walkway, looking north into quarry
Timber and stone revetment structure of west side of harbour entrance 24/04/2022 Timber and stone revetment structure of west side of harbour entrance joannahambly
Timber and stone revetment structure of west side of harbour entrance
Revetment wall east side of harbour entrance, looking north, quarry in background 24/04/2022 Revetment wall east side of harbour entrance, looking north, quarry in background joannahambly
Revetment wall east side of harbour entrance, looking north, quarry in background
Revetment wall east side of harbour entrance, looking east 24/04/2022 Revetment wall east side of harbour entrance, looking east joannahambly
Revetment wall east side of harbour entrance, looking east
Revetment stone wall of east side of entrance to harbour 24/04/2022 Revetment stone wall of east side of entrance to harbour joannahambly
Revetment stone wall of east side of entrance to harbour
Remains of possible wreck in harbour 27/02/2013 Remains of possible wreck in harbour Merrymaking
Remains of possible wreck in harbour
Remains of possible wreck in harbour 27/02/2013 Remains of possible wreck in harbour Merrymaking
Remains of possible wreck in harbour
Harbour entrance looking NW 27/02/2013 Harbour entrance looking NW Merrymaking
Harbour entrance looking NW
Plan of Munlochy Bay Quarry Harbour 27/02/2013 Plan of Munlochy Bay Quarry Harbour rolandsj
Plan of Munlochy Bay Quarry Harbour
Bank of tiered set stones at northern end of Harbour 27/02/2013 Bank of tiered set stones at northern end of Harbour rolandsj
Bank of tiered set stones at northern end of Harbour
View along length of harbour from northern end 27/02/2013 View along length of harbour from northern end rolandsj
View along length of harbour from northern end
Entrance to Bay Quarry Harbour from Munlochy Bay 27/02/2013 Entrance to Bay Quarry Harbour from Munlochy Bay rolandsj
Entrance to Bay Quarry Harbour from Munlochy Bay
Bay Quarry - detail of track from harbour to quarry. By Roland 28/02/2013 Bay Quarry - detail of track from harbour to quarry. By Roland joannahambly
Bay Quarry - detail of track from harbour to quarry. By Roland
Bay Quarry - detail of track from harbour to quarry. By Roland 28/02/2013 Bay Quarry - detail of track from harbour to quarry. By Roland joannahambly
Bay Quarry - detail of track from harbour to quarry. By Roland
Bay Quarry looking east. By Roland 27/02/2013 Bay Quarry looking east. By Roland joannahambly
Bay Quarry looking east. By Roland
Bay Quarry looking N. By Roland 27/02/2013 Bay Quarry looking N. By Roland joannahambly
Bay Quarry looking N. By Roland
Bay Quarry Harbour - detail of east wall, looking E. By Roland 27/02/2013 Bay Quarry Harbour - detail of east wall, looking E. By Roland joannahambly
Bay Quarry Harbour - detail of east wall, looking E. By Roland

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
3756 24/04/2022 joannahambly
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Intertidal
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion; accreting
Other threats Structural decay, forestry
Access accessible - difficult terrain
Local knowledge has local associations/history
Description Timber elements of the west harbour entrance wall are not obviously recognisable ship timbers. Massive sleeper type timbers and planking visible.
Comments This is a complex, multi period site linked to Fort George - one of Scotland's foremost heritage assets. It is also an unusual and rare boat graveyard containing the remains of several 19th? wooden vessels. Detailed recording of the whole site should be carried out, and the harbour and quarry assessed for significance.
822 27/02/2013 rolandsj
Tidal state High
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? has eroded in the past
Visibility above ground Highly visible (substantial remains)
Access accessible - difficult terrain
Local knowledge is not locally known
Description Harbour wall revetted with hulk remains.CFA/MORAY Coastal Assessment Survey 1998 (RCAHMS) said in 1998: Channel sides have remains of revetting post and planks on one side (N) and a wall of boulders on the South side. Post and planks on N side are part of an old boat, internal beams and external planks of oak. On 27.2.13 no revetted planks or old boat remain. This appears a fine long harbour built along the sides of what was probably initially a creek, with two burns draining into it. The harbour is composite, with a triangular area to the east for waiting vessels. The sides of the harbour, particularly on the east, are edged with large dressed stones. There is a small wooden jetty remaining near the southern entrance to the bay. Inland of the northern end of the creek is a substantial hole in the side of a hill, representing the former quarry. From this quarry to the northern end of the harbour is a lined and sunken trackway, presumably for taking stone to the harbour. The head of the harbour is lined with a bank of tiered set stones.
This is a fine harbour, now much overshaded by trees. Much of the original harbour wall exists, and in view of its history would make an interesting tourist area.

Pin It on Pinterest