MHG10565 - Possible kiln - Achleit

Summary

A fragmentary, dry-stone built, circular structure set within a natural hollow in the slope.

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

  • None recorded

Full Description

Circular structure on A' Chleit.
Letter from T C Welsh to Ordnance Survey, 24 July 1972.

NC 4430 6202. Remains of a corn-drying kiln, 3.5m in diameter.
Visited by OS (JM) 17 April 1980.

A rapid coastal zone assessment survey was conducted by GUARD in the Autumn of 1997 commissioned by Historic Scotland from the Viking and Early Settlement Archaeological Research Project based at the University of Glasgow.

Situated on the grassed slope at the west side of the tidal islet is a site described as a corn-drying kiln by the NMRS after visits by T C Welsh (1972) and OS (JM) in 1980. This site is a fragmentary, dry-stone built, circular structure set within a natural hollow in the slope. The dimensions of this structure are 2.5 m internal diameter and walls 0.5 m thick. There is an opening on the south side which leads in to the interior for 1 m. This seems an unlikely location for a corn-drier and is also too large for such a function. There is no sign that it served as a lime-kiln either, so its actual use remains enigmatic. <1>

NGR adjusted based on 2023 vertical aerial photographs. <2>

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred NC 4427 6201 (7m by 8m) (2 map features)
Map sheet NC46SW
Geographical Area SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish DURNESS

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (1)

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