MHG12007 - Possible shieling hut - Balnakeil Bay
Summary
A small oval structure comprising a ring of exposed stone in a very low bank.
Type and Period (2)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
(NC 3844 6880) Small sub-circular hut, 18 ft by 15 ft.
Information from Dr C S Sandeman, Durness, 14 March 1967.
This sub-oval enclosure, at NC 3847 6881, measures 3.8m by 2.6m within a rubble wall about 1.0m wide, which just protrudes through the peat and heather. No entrance is visible. The enclosure, which is undoubtedly of the same type as the two enclosures of NC36NE 42, is probably of a relatively recent date.
Surveyed at 1:10,000.
Visited by OS (J B) 13 November 1978.
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.
On a grassed slope above the rock-cliff coast-edge is a sub-oval enclosure. This site has not deteriorated since it was visited by OS (J B) in 1978 and is as described in the NMRS (ie measuring 3.8 m by 2.6 m within a rubble wall 1 m wide). Although like a prehistoric hut-circle, the OS consider this most likely to be a more recent shicling-bothy. <1>
A small oval structure comprising a ring of exposed stone in a very low bank. The stones are nearly flush with the surrounding ground level. Measures 5.1 m WSW/ENE by 4.1 m externally. Hints of inner and outer skins are visible intermittently. Wall is 0.6 m wide. No clear entrance. 6 m to NE is an alignment of four large boulders, 3 m long, which may be related.
Possible shieling structure.
Gently sloping N-facing ground above low cliffs, under grass and heather. Just E of golf course fence. Overlooks Balnakeil Bay.
Recommendations: None <2> <3>
Sources/Archives (3)
- <1> SHG24622 Dataset/Database File: Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division (GUARD). 2003. Site gazetteer: Loch Borralie, Kyle of Durness. Site 167.
- <2> SHG24621 Text/Report/Fieldwork Report: Lelong, O and MacGregor, G. 2003. Loch Borralie, Kyle of Durness: Project 950. Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division (GUARD). Digital. Site 167.
- <3> SHG21099 Text/Report/Fieldwork Report: Brady, K. & Morris, C.D.. 1997. North Sutherland Survey: Coastal Zone Assessment Kyle of Durness to Torrisdale Bay. Glasgow University (GUARD). 30/01/1998. . Site 16.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NC 3842 6881 (60m by 60m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NC36NE |
| Geographical Area | SUTHERLAND |
| Civil Parish | DURNESS |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (1)
External Links (1)
- https://trove.scot/place/4786 (View record on the HES Trove website)
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