Print

MHG14524 - Farmstead? - Balvraid Lodge

Summary

Remains of a house and enclosure near Balvraid.

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

An enclosure on the south side of the Allt Bruachaig near Balvraid.

An enclosure noted on an oblique aerial photograph taken in 1986.

The enclosure was visited and recorded during a walkover survey by Ross and Cromarty Archaeological Services in 2013 in advance of proposed woodland creation scheme. A standalone tree marked the north corner of a built platform on a lower terrace on the north-east side of the burn. There was visible stone walling on the south-west side with a turf/stone bank visible on the north-west side of the platform. The south edge of the site was formed by the steep natural terrace and there was a slight edge visible forming the north-east side of the platform. Both structures were covered in dense heather and lay below the new fence line, which had caused no disturbance to the sites. The stone/turf-built enclosure measured 19m NE-SW by 16m with the attached subrectangular structure, possibly a house, measuring approximately 14m NE-SW by 4.5m. Both sites were difficult to define and there were no visible entrances. Both sites had not beenrecorded on the Ordnance Survey historical mapping and, therefore the period of their use remained unclear. The site was reportedly the location of a weaver’s cottage, all trace of which has been removed (J. Beattie, pers comm.). <1>

The site was visited and recorded during a walkover survey by CFA Archaeology in 2016 in advance of the proposed Tom nan Clach Wind Farm groid connection. Field survey identified the poorly preserved remains of an enclosure (106a), what may be the remnants of a building (106b), two sections of wall (106c & d) and a clearance cairn (106e). Most of the features were covered in turf and heather and difficult to distinguish. <2>

Sources/Archives (4)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NH 8388 3097 (33m by 33m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NH83SW
Civil Parish	MOY AND DALAROSSIE
Geographical Area	INVERNESS

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (3)