Port an Eilean Mhòir ship burial

Port an Eilean Mhòir is a ship burial containing the remains of a wooden vessel with metal fittings and a complete collection of artifacts from the 9th century. The site preserves a Viking-era burial with weapons, tools, and personal items carefully arranged alongside the ship.

The site was discovered in 2011 by the Ardnamurchan Transitions Project, marking the first intact Viking ship burial found on mainland Britain. This finding helped expand understanding of Norse trade routes and settlement patterns across northern Scotland.

The burial reflects Norse customs of honoring important community members by surrounding them with their valued possessions in death. These choices reveal how the living understood status and what they believed the deceased would need beyond life.

The location sits in a remote coastal area and requires planning to reach, as on-site facilities are minimal. Visitors should be equipped for changing weather and rough terrain, and check locally for current access information.

Tooth analysis revealed that the buried individual shifted from a land-based to a marine-based diet after age fifteen. This suggests the person may have traveled by sea or relocated to different regions before being laid to rest here.

Location: Highland

GPS coordinates: 56.76000,-6.02000

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:00