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MHG5319 - Hut circle - An Sithean

Summary

A hut circle at An Sithean.

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

A hut circle at An Sithean. With reference to the original RCAHMS recording this hut circle is the 'western' of the two, although in reality the two hut circles are on a southwest-northeast alignment. See MHG.

(NG 6291 2204) About 70 yards (64.0m) E of the cairn at Sithean (NG62SW 4), but a slightly higher elevation, are the remains of two circular enclosures or hut circles, 9ft (2.7m) apart. The inner-and outer facing stones remain in position, showing the walls to have been 31ft in internal diameter and some 5ft thick, widening to 7ft on each side of the entrance to the S. The walls have probably been completed with turf which has disappeared. <1>

Two enclosures as described by RCAHMS although only the S segment of the eastern example is now visible. They are of the same type as Kearstach (NG51NE 2), although a little smaller, and Peinmore Portroe (NG44SE 7) where they are known locally as Druids Circles.
Visited by OS (C F W) 13 June 1961.

This hut circle (site LS119) could not be relocated by M Wildgoose during a walkover survey as part of the High Pasture Cave and Environs project. <2>

Summary of the landscape survey project and test pitting campaign. <3>

162887 822049 HPC119 An Sithean 2: The hut circle was visited by A Welti and J Guest in 2010 as part of research for a dissertation on hut circles in Wester Ross. This was part of a degree course overseen by Aberdeen University. This is one of a number of prehistoric roundhouses in the area in and around Strath Suardal. This Strath runs NE/SW from Broadford to Torrin. These roundhouses are of special interest as all are within relatively easy reach of the site of High Pasture Cave (MHG32043) and hence some may have been associated with it. HPC119 is at a distance of 4000m from High Pasture Cave. A chambered cairn is in full view 400m to WSW of the site (see MHG5318). HPC119 is very degraded. The platform can be seen built up from a moderate south facing slope, on a natural terrace. Only one boulder is immediately visible. A circular stone setting was located by prodding through 20cm of moss. The site is 200m from a burn and 1500m from freshwater Loch Cill Chriosd. The surrounding landscape is predominately heather and grass covered. The platform itself is mostly covered with rough heather, as well as moss and some rushes. The site has panoramic views inland. Average outer diameter of the platform is 12m. No other measurements could be taken. HPC119 is 100m from HPC32 (see MHG59693) and 135m from HPC33 (see MHG). These HCs seem to be sited in a cluster around the chambered cairn. This hut circle was unlocated by M Wildgoose. <4> <5>

[Note: a database was set up as part of research for the dissertation and was subsequently expanded as an extension of the We Digs Project (see website link below). The full access database can be made available to enquirers/researchers if requested - contact HER for details].

NOTE: the grid reference for the site in <2> is NGR 162910 822040, though as it was unlocated it is unclear as to what that was based on. The grid reference in <4> is some 35m to the east of the apparent location. This may have been due to an error in the GPS used at the time. This conclusion is based on a comparison of photographs taken at the time of the 2010 survey (<4>) and vertical APs.

GIS spatial data amended in 2019 to location as shown on 2010 APs. <6>

Sources/Archives (6)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 6285 2205 (20m by 20m)
Map sheet	NG62SW
Geographical Area	SKYE AND LOCHALSH
Civil Parish	STRATH

Finds (0)

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External Links (2)