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MHG29519 - Field system - Tairbeart

Summary

A series of small pens and shelters have been built on the east side, constructed of small stones, 0.20m to 0.30m, filling gaps between boulders that have tumbled from the cliff face.

Type and Period (3)

Protected Status

Full Description

Raasay Survey 2000: Site 22; A natural dry valley, bounded on its northeast side by a dramatic 7m high rock wall (Creag na Gaoithe), runs down to the east coast line. The area has been carefully cleared of rock and drained to produce a gently sloping grassy area with some bracken now encroaching but no heather. The cleared stone has been used to construct banks at the top and bottom of the valley [6, 7 and 11 on the drawing], the last numbered being merely a spread of stone piled against the natural slope. A series of small pens and shelters [1 to 5] have also been built on the east side, constructed of small stones, 0.20m to 0.30m, filling gaps between boulders that have tumbled from the cliff face. Features 1 and 2 stand to 0.80m high, the back wall of 3 to 1.0m and side walls 0.90m; 4 is 0.30m high and 5 stands to 0.10m high, with the last two being mossy and overgrown. In other places there are concentrations of stone which do not form any recognisable structures but could be small stretches of consumption dyke, 0.50m high [8 and 9]. Feature 10 is a slight platform with a stony bank behind it, 0.50m high.

A small enclosure (not drawn), 8.0m by 5.0m lies to the south of Feature 7. It is defined on two sides by a slight wall of which only one course remains, the other sides being formed by outcrop and by the slope of the hill. Features 1 to 12 along with 21 and 23 are part of an extensive system of land use in this area, in which natural terraces have been enhanced and cleared, probably for use as grazing. Although no cultivation rigs are visible, this use cannot be ruled out, though the survival of rig traces at Feature 20 makes it unlikely. There is no evidence of permanent settlement or even of shieling type structures. <1>

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 6003 4789 (33m by 61m)
Map sheet	NG64NW
Geographical Area	SKYE AND LOCHALSH
Civil Parish	PORTREE

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (1)