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. AHHA were specifically involved with the development of interpretation boards and hubs, with archaeology training projects, community exhibitions and open days. We were pleased to assist with reviewing existing surveys of Scheduled Monuments in Ardnamurchan for HES. The wider project included traditional rural skills training, part renovation of a blackhouse in Achnaha and support of the new jetty project.

Archaeology Scotland representatives together with local volunteers at Camas nan Geall Community Archaeology project.

 Contact the secretary at heritageardnamurchan@gmail.com.