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MHG25200 - Township - Kildonan, Dundonell

Summary

Township with unroofed buildings, yards, kilns, enclosures, clearance heaps and head dyke at Kildonan, Dundonell

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

The depopulated township of 'Kildonan' extends from NH 075910 to NH 082908. (Visible on air photographs OS/61/48, 021-022 and RAF CPE/Scot/ 321, 3183-4). It comprises 26 buildings, 3 yards, and several enclosures, all standing to an average height of 1.0m. The largest building measures 21.2m. by 4.8m, while the smallest is only 4.0m. square. According to local information this township was depopulated around 1850, "as the last survivor, a Mr. McIver, who died some 10 years ago, aged 100 years, was only 2 weeks old when his family was evicted, together with all the other families in the township." (Miss McNorton, Ardnessie and Mr Roger Dundonnell House, Little Lochbroom). There are between 20 and 30 large stone clearance heaps interspersed between the ruined buildings, showing that the entire area has been extensively cultivated at one time.
At NH 08019099, there are the grass covered footings of 3 buildings, a field bank and a corn-drying kiln which obviously predate the nearby township, and are possibly contemporary with the burial place at 'Clach Chill Donnain' (NH 09 SE 2) where the last interment took place some 200 years ago.
Visited by OS (R B) 5 October 1964

Seven roofed and twenty-two unroofed buildings, three unroofed structures, some enclosures and a head-dyke are depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Ross-shire and Cromartyshire 1881, sheet xxi). Three roofed and thirty one unroofed buildings, some enclosures and a head-dyke are shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10560 map (1968).
Information from RCAHMS (SAH) 13 February 1996

As well as the remains of a number of structures within Kildonan township there is extensive evidence of broad rig cultivation, which was recorded during the course of a pre-afforestation survey undertaken by J Wordsworth. The cultivation is situated most visibly to the N of Alltan a' Churaich and S of the Allt Mor Chill-donain on a sloping terrace raised above the beach. Less obvious remains can be found in the ground below the raised beach, although these may have been ploughed over at a later date. Other structures include a sheepfold, boundary wall, a stone and turf dyke, a series of enclosures and a number of buildings. The previous description ignores the broad rig cultivation which is one of the most prominent features of this site . The rigs are sited most visibly to the N of the Alltan a'Churaich and S of the Alt Mor Chill-donain on a sloping terrace above the raised beach (see Fig ). There are slight traces of rig cultivation in the ground below the raised beach though this area appears to have been partly ploughed since the township was deserted. There are remains of a fine sheepfold at NH 0777 9090 and other later enclosures further to the S.

The following features form part of the Kildonan settlement but are not marked on the OS map.
The earth and stone E boundary to the settlement shown as ending at NH 0813 9053 actually extends a further 80m to the S to end at NH 0811 9044.
At NH 0825 9075, on the same contour as the buildings incorporated into the E boundary wall and lying outside the enclosed are 4 buildings. These small drystone buildings are 4-5m long by 1.5m wide and were probably turf walled on a stone base.
Further E below the 200m contour at NH 0827 9087 and are the footings of 2 more buildings. The smaller is 6m long by 2.5m wide while the larger is 10m by 3.5m wide, well built with squared corners. The lack of tumble suggests that these were also turf walled on a stone footing.
Centred at NH 0827 9094 and below a massive boulder, is an enclosure c1 4m diameter bisected by the Ant an Tairbh. The drystone walls survive up to lm high. 10m upstream is a rounded oval drystone structure 3m by 2m.
At NI-I 0833 9090 is a ?oval building 4m by 3m heavily overgrown with bracken.
At NH 0837 9089 below the waterfall on the Alltan an Tairbh is a building 6m by 1.5m. An additional chamber 1.5m square lies at the NW end.
An earth and stone dyke runs NW from NH 0840 9092 for 70m where it peters out. It probably continued for another 80m to link with the corner of the mapped enclosure ar NH 0827 9101. To the W of this dyke the ground appears to have been worked, though there are no signs of rigs or clearance cairns.
At NH 0812 9098 near the junction of the Alltan an Tairbh and the Alit Mor Chill-donain is a small enclosure c4m wide by c30m long.
On the Allt Mor Chill-donain are a series of enclosures marked predominantly by drystone wall remains, though some portions may also have been turf walled. The largest is centred at NH 082 911 and measures 140m by 50m. To the S of this is a narrower enclosure 120m by 30m lying on either side of the burn. A third enclosure lies in the hollow of the Allt a'Phuind and is centred at NH 0814 9111.
At the NE corner of the largest enclosure at NH 0830 9115 is a drystone building 4m by 2m and there is a possible circular enclosure cl Om diameter immediately E of this structure.
At NH 0831 9110, on a cliff above the S bank of the Allt Mor Chill-donain is a rectangular drystone building 2m wide with two chambers one 6m long and the other 2m long. <1>

Kildonan Township, Kildonan, Dundonnell. This site was recorded in 2011 by Buchanan M, Buchanan J, & MacInnes A as part of an archaeological survey of Kildonan Township.

Our survey found the footings of 25 buildings within the main township area. There are several walls of both stone and turf construction, some used for terracing. Three enclosures and the Square of Cromartie. Numerous large stone clearance piles. The area is covered with both narrow and broad rigs. The head dyke forks and this may indicate two different phases. <2>

NGR adjusted based on 1999-2001 aerial photographs <3>

1st Edition OS 6" <4>

Sources/Archives (5)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NH 0801 9075 (581m by 509m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NH09SE
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	LOCHBROOM

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Investigations/Events (2)

External Links (1)