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MHG27234 - Farmstead, enclosure, sheepcreep and earthbank, Tomnaheilde, Allt Calg Choire

Summary

Farmstead, enclosure, sheepcreep and earthbank, Tomnaheilde, Allt Calg Choire

Type and Period (4)

Protected Status

Full Description

NG80SE 3 8697 0327

What may be a farmstead comprising one unroofed building is depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Inverness-shire 1876, sheet xciii), but it is not shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10000 map (1973).
Information from RCAHMS (SAH) 1 August 1996

Allt Calg Choire
This place name was selected to cover most of the lower ground at Barrisdale, west of the Barrisdale River, and it includes the farmstead of Ambraigh and the two farmsteads at Tomnaheilde. These sites were recorded by NOSAS in 2004 as part of an archaeological survey of Inner Loch Hourn. Comparatively little was identified in this large area at the head of the bay. The tidal saltings cover an area of perhaps 3ha and the rest is very marshy or peaty. However on the west side of the bay close under the steep slope there is a raised area of well drained sandy ground. Roy’s map of 1750 shows a settlement here and some small areas of cultivation remains were noted but the only structure to be found was the more recent sheepfold, possibly built using any stone from the original buildings.

22 sites were identified here in total, and most appear to relate to the later agricultural improvement period. The farmstead at Tomnaheilde ‘East’ i.e. east of the Allt Gleann Unndalain, appears to be more recent than the farmstead west of the burn. None of the higher ground was prospected.

Site: 609. A building, part of a farmstead, 7m E/W x 2.5m internally, defined by low turf walls 1m thick x 0.2m high. The E wall is more evident at 0.7m high on the outside but 0.4m high on the inside. No W wall. Entrance 1m wide in the N wall. Structure bracken covered.

Site: 607. A rectangular building, part of a farmstead, 3m E/W x 2.5m internally, wasted stone walls to 0.75m in height internally, 1m externally where it drops to a track. Walls 1m thick at base. Entrance at SE corner 0.5m wide.

Site: 608. An earth bank roughly 25m long, part of a farmstead, bounded on the E side by a track where it is 1m in height.

Site: 604. A building, part of a farmstead, 11m NE/SW x 4m internally, with 3 compartments. Square corners inside and out. Mortared rubble walls generally 0.5m thick, standing to 2m in height, with a chimney standing to 6m. 2 fireplaces.

Site: 606. A partial enclosure, part of a farmstead, 12.5m NE/SW x 4.5m internally, walls incomplete, varying in height from 0.5m to 1.5m to 0.8m.

Site: 605 A building, part of a farmstead, 11m NE/SW x 3.5m internally, rubble walls generally to 1m in height and 0.8m thick. Rounded corners inside and out. Entrance in the W wall. Sheep creep in the N wall. Possibly the earlier dwelling house. <1>

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 8699 0326 (52m by 47m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG80SE
Geographical Area	SKYE AND LOCHALSH
Civil Parish	GLENELG

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (1)