The Clanranald Anvil

The Clanranald Anvil

Highlands

This object is a bit of a mystery. Known as the Clanranald Anvil, it probably dates back to the 14th or 15th century. It is a very heavy irregular lump of iron, and could also be called a swaging block, for the precise shaping of sheet metal by an armourer. There is some speculation it could be a meteorite, but this has yet to be proven. It was found in the 1920s by a man named John MacDonald among the remains of a deserted settlement at Upper or High Mingarry on the rugged and remote Moidart peninsula in the western Highlands. It was then given to the parish priest, one Father Campbell, who kept it on the outside windowsill of his house for many years. It was by tradition in the custodianship of the priest of Moidart. However, after it was twice stolen from the church it came into the care of the West Highland Museum in 1987.

Scottish Highlands & Islands

objects,highlandlife

14th/15th century

eulac3d

Physical Object

77

23/12/2021

H 200 mm x W 300 mm

Acharacle Community Council

find,56.75928,-5.7904241;

West Highlands Museum

TEXT

232

iron

L3068