The Ardnamurchan History & Heritage Association was set up in early 2016, growing out of a more informal group, Ardnamurchan Community Archaeology. In September 2025, it became a registered charity AHHA (SCIO) SC054560. 

The organisation’s purpose is to increase awareness and engagement with the archaeology, history and heritage on the peninsula of Ardnamurchan through the following:

  • Promoting research and exploration
  • Advancing education through online & printed resources, exhibitions, presentations, events, workshops and any other means
  • Preserving memories through oral or recorded history projects
  • Preserving and maintaining selected archaeological sites
  • Promoting engagement with and support of visiting archaeologists

Cladh Chiarain clearing
Clearing Cladh Chiarain, an 18th century Campbell graveyard with, at the far end, a Bronze Age standing stone

Achievements:

AHHA members are a small and changing group of enthusiasts who enjoy exploring Ardnamurchan’s past and working to discover, record and preserve its heritage. Some of our achievements to date include

  • Funded by a £4,000 grant from Historic Environment Scotland, AHHA worked with architect Francis Shaw and builder Ashley Thompson to repair the doorway and arches on the south facade of St Comghan’s, a 12th century church in Kilchoan
  • AHHA carried out a survey, and making a record of the gravestones at the cemetery at the old Kilchoan church picture above.
  • By extensive field walking, AHHA members have identified and described over a hundred archaeological sites on Ardnamurchan, many hitherto unknown, and have uploaded the descriptions to national websites. these have included a bronze age cairn, bronze age hut circles, a possible Viking site, pre-clearance settlements, shielings, cottars’ cottages, and early crofting structures.
  • Following a heritage lottery grant in 2016, AHHA were able to set up this website, install interpretation boards at key sites, publish booklets for visitors, set up a heritage exhibition and digitally record some oral histories
  • In 2021 – 23, AHHA were delighted to work with Archaeology Scotland on Wander West Ardnamurchan a heritage interpretation project, part of the wider work of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Historic Environment Scotland (HES). This involved working on 10 Adopt a Monument sites
Field Walking
Field walking with officers from Archaeology Scotland

 Contact the secretary at heritageardnamurchan@gmail.com.