Site Report

WoSASPIN 7864
NS47SE 57 4616 7227

This feature does indeed resemble a crannog when viewed from the Erskine Bridge. However, when examining it from the shore, I noted that its "causeway", although old, seemed much too recent to be that of a crannog.

In fact, this structure is the remains of a "south jetty" that is shown on the first-edition OS map (see Renfrew Sheet IV.13 (Erskine), surveyed 1857, published 1863). The corresponding "north jetty" is located 150 metres downriver. Each jetty had a beacon at the end; the apparent causeway is therefore the South Jetty, and the apparent crannog is simply the base that supported its beacon. The North Jetty is better preserved, and still has its beacon.
Cameron, D.A., pers comm, 14/04/10