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Torvean

In 1808 or 1809 this massive silver chain was discovered while digging the Caledonian Canal on a gravelly ridge known as Tor a’ Bhean.

The chain was uncovered in the side of a large, flat cairn, around 0.6m below the surface. When it was found it consisted of sixteen pairs of interlocked circular links with a single slightly larger link terminating each end, and a penannular terminal ring which was broken in two during its discovery. A silver ball and bar may also have been found at the same time. It is thought to date to the 4th to 6th centuries.

One of the terminal links and the parts of the penannular terminal ring have since been lost, while the rest of the chain is now held in the National Museums of Scotland having been declared as treasure trove in 1837.

It is the heaviest Pictish chain found in Scotland, weighing some 2.88kg, and is around 46cm in length. Despite the weight its internal diameter is quite small and it’s thought that it was made for someone with a small neck, likely either an adolescent or a woman.

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Alternative names for Torvean

Tor a' Bhean; Torvaine

Where is Torvean?

Torvean is in the parish of Inverness and Bona and the county of Inverness-shire.

Grid reference: NH 6542 4346

Lat / long: 57.461443, -4.244966

Bing Maps | Google Maps | Historic maps (NLS) | OpenStreetMap | Ordnance Survey | PastMap | Streetmap | Wikimapia

OS Map for Torvean

OS map 416
Inverness, Loch Ness & Culloden (Fort Augustus & Drumnadrochit)
OS Explorer map 416


Directions to Torvean

Enter a starting point

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Weather at Torvean

15°C
max 15°C / min 14°C
15km/h SW
1015mb
87%
100%
03:17 21:17

Overcast clouds
Weather observed at Inverness at 04:41
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References (websites)

Canmore

Pictish sites near Torvean

Burghead fort

52.2km away

Gaulcross hoard

90.4km away

Parkhill silver chain

127.6km away

Nigg silver chain

134.5km away

Dunnicaer fort

135.0km away

Norrie's Law hoard

154.8km away

Haddington silver chain

189.4km away

Traprain Law silver chain

191.3km away

Borland silver chain

201.0km away
more Pictish sites....
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Pictish stones near Torvean

Lochardill Class I symbol stone

1.1km away

Kingsmills Class I symbol stone

1.7km away

Knocknagael Boar Stone Class I symbol stone

2.1km away

Cullaird Class I symbol stone

3.7km away

Essich House Class I symbol stone

4.0km away

Cotterton Class I symbol stone

9.3km away

Dores 1 Class I symbol stone

9.4km away

Wester Balblair Class I symbol stone

14.5km away

Balblair 1 Class I symbol stone

14.5km away
more Pictish stones....

Pictish placenames near Torvean

Abersky

17.4km away

Aberarder

18.2km away

Aberchalder

25.6km away

Pitgrudy

49.6km away

Aberchalder

50.7km away

Aberarder

55.0km away

Aberscross

57.7km away

Aberlour

61.0km away

Aberarder

74.1km away
more Pictish placenames....
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Ancient sites near Torvean

Balnuaran Of Clava, South-West chambered cairn, stone circle and rock art

10.3km away

Balnuaran of Clava kerb cairn and rock art

10.3km away

Clootie Well sacred site

10.3km away

Balnuaran Of Clava, Centre ring cairn and stone circle

10.4km away

Balnuaran Of Clava, North-East chambered cairn, stone circle and rock art

10.4km away

Humberston (site of) stone circle

18.6km away

Urquhart Castle fort

19.3km away

Eilean na Faoileag crannog

29.5km away

Aviemore ring cairn, stone circle

38.4km away
more ancient sites....

Castles near Torvean

Holme motte

1.5km away

Inverness Castle (site of)

2.0km away

Castle Leather (site of)

2.5km away

Macbeth's Castle (site of)

2.9km away

Dunain

2.9km away

Bunchrew

4.1km away

Inshes

4.1km away

Castlehill (site of)

4.3km away

Tom a' Caisteal (site of)

5.2km away
more castles....
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Accommodation near Torvean

Premier Inn Inverness West
hotel, restaurantInverness
0.4km away
Struy Guest House
bed and breakfastInverness
0.7km away
Best Western Lochardil House Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barInverness
0.9km away
Avalon Guest House
hotelInverness
0.9km away
Bannerman Bed and Breakfast
bed and breakfastInverness
1.1km away
Hillview House Hostel
hostelInverness
1.2km away
Ness Walk Hotel
hotel, bar, restaurantInverness
1.2km away
Moyness House
bed and breakfastInverness
1.5km away
Acorn Guest House
bed and breakfastInverness
1.6km away
Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel
hotelInverness
1.6km away

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Cafés, restaurants & bars near Torvean

Premier Inn Inverness West
hotel, restaurantInverness
0.4km away
Best Western Lochardil House Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barInverness
0.9km away
Ness Walk Hotel
hotel, bar, restaurantInverness
1.2km away
The Waterside Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barInverness
1.7km away
Rocpool Reserve Hotel & Chez Roux
hotel, restaurant, barInverness
1.7km away
Glen Mhor Hotel
hotel, self-catering apartments, restaurant, barInverness
1.7km away
Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel and Spa
hotel, restaurant, barInverness
1.9km away
Premier Inn Inverness Centre (River Ness)
hotel, restaurant, barInverness
2.0km away
Crown Court Town House Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barInverness
2.2km away
Mercure Inverness Hotel
hotel, bar, restaurantInverness
2.2km away
more food.... / more drink....

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Dunbar harbour and castle
Dunbar harbour and castle
Published on the 20th of April 2015 at 9:49 am. Updated on the 21st of February 2018 at 6:07 pm.

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Andy Sweet above Fast Castle

Stravaiging around Scotland is written, photographed and researched by Andy Sweet.
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