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MHG58198 - Church, Camusbane

Summary

Church, Camusbane

Type and Period (1)

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Full Description

Camusbane
These sites were recorded by NOSAS in 2008/9 as part of an archaeological survey of outer Loch Hourn.

In the mid 18th century, Roy shows 3 buildings, set out in line north to south, on the west bank of the Alltan Beag (the names and positions of these burns are recorded in English (2000, 397)). The 1808 map shows 1 building where the ruined salt house is below Creagan nan Gamhna (plate 13), and 2 buildings on the east side of the Alltan Beag above the shore. Clearly Camusbane was laid out as a crofting township after 1808, perhaps to absorb people cleared from other parts of the estate. Walking along the road through the village the remains of some of the footings of the original crofters houses can still be seen in the front gardens of the present cottages (see English 2000, 397 for the details). The line of the old road through Ceum a Mhuilleir, which is clearly visible on the OS 1st edition map (1872), can be traced on the ground, with several large areas of lazy beds on either side and on the slopes of Creagan nan Gamhna (Sites 1519-1521). The lazy beds still show up very well in certain lighting conditions when viewed from the opposite side of the bay. These plots are all unenclosed and outwith the crofting head-dyke. They could never have been worked, if not enclosed, once the sheep arrived, so they must pre-date the establishment of the crofts.

Site 1523. At this point there was once a church (Billy Mackenzie, pers. comm.). This area is very wet today and was not surveyed. No obvious footings remain and it is possible that the church might have been built of timber. <1>

NGR adjusted based on 1999-2001 AP’s <2>

Note; A possible enclosure surrounds the supposed site of the church. (T.Blackie 13/7/18)

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 8386 1041 (61m by 48m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG81SW
Civil Parish	GLENELG
Geographical Area	LOCHABER

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Related Investigations/Events (1)

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