On May the 23^rd 1991, after the shoreline had been pounded by fierce storms, a tourist reported human remains at the north end of Balnakeil Bay on the sand dunes at Faraid Head  a richly equipped Viking boy’s grave was uncovered The grave was discovered by chance. A sand dune had eroded, exposing a shallow pit in which the boy’s body was discovered. . The local Doctor and Police arrived and confirmed the remains human and dead. The sand had exposed the grave of a Viking about four metres above the high water mark. No coffin was found in the grave Fortunately this was noticed in the sandy coastal area at Balnakeil Durness, in time for Highland Regional Council to mount a rescue-excavation, which recovered most of the remains. He was buried on a bedding of feathers and straw, with the boy was buried with various adult iron weapons including a sword in its scabbard and a shield boss. Also found was a range of other grave goods including a brooch pin, comb, beads and gaming pieces. sometime between 850 and 900. 

The skull and torso uncovered were accompanied by grave-goods  there was a body stain that suggests the remains could have been wrapped in a simple shroud. An Iron sword had been placed beneath the body, a wooden scabbard, three decorative beads two amber one white and blue glass, a spear ring pin, brooch, a comb made from bone, a shield boss, horn objects which could have been parts from a game and unidentifiable metal objects were present. The skeletal material of about one point three metres and the artefacts were removed to the Archaeology Department at Inverness and because of the fragile and poor state of preservation were taken to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh for treatment.

Owing to the discovery being declared treasure trove, the finder was rewarded financially. Viking burials of the pagan kind, with weapons and other grave-goods, are few in number, and most were discovered a long time ago when standards of recording were poor. From the skeleton, scientists were able to tell that the boy buried at Balnakeil was probably between 12 and 13 years old. He was around 150.4 cm tall. A modern discovery like this one therefore is important.