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MHG3503 - Black Wood of Leys

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Full Description

Centred at NH 667 380, in undulating moorland, formerly afforested, is a settlement of seven stone-walled huts (A-G) and an associated field system.
Except for 'G' all the huts are oval formed by walls spread to a regular width all round. The hut dimensions are given between the wall centres. Hut 'A', the best defined, is oriented WNW to ESE and measures c. 11.5m by c. 9.5m with the wall spread to c. 3.0m. An overgrown track clips the NW arc. The 'simple' entrance in the ESE is c. 1.0m wide.
'B', ill-defined, measures c. 10.5m NW to SE by c. 9.0m transversely with the wall spread to c. 2.5m. The 'simple' entrance in the E is c. 1.0m wide and is flanked on the S side by an earth-fast stone.
'C', oriented NW to SE is the same size as 'B' with the wall spread to c. 3.0m. An upright slab incorporated on the E side is probably an outer facing stone. Several other outer facing stones are evident but insufficient for accurate overall measurement. A dip in the bank in the SE may indicate the entrance outside of which is a prostrate triangular slab, c. 1.5m long, which may be a fallen facing stone.
'D', adjacent to 'C', is ill-defined and measures c. 10.5m E to W by c. 8.5m transversely with the wall spread to c. 2.5m. A dip in the bank in the E may indicate the position of the entrance.
'E', on level ground at the bottom of a slope, is oriented NW to SE and is the same size as 'C'. Outer facing stones are evident in the N arc. The wall in the SE arc is mutilated and there is no evidence of an entrance.
'F', oriented NW to SE, is the same size as 'A' with the wall spread to c. 2.5m. The 'simple' entrance in the SE is c. 1.0m wide.
'G' is visible as a level, circular platform, c. 8.0m diameter, set into an E-facing slope. Around the rim are traces of walling. The entrance is not evident.
The field system is defined by stone clearance heaps and an occasion lynchet and field wall but the afforestation and a heavy growth of peat and heather has obscured details of cultivation plots.
Surveyed at 1/10,000.
Visited by OS (R L) 21 January 1970.

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Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NH 6680 3812 (634m by 709m) (9 map features)
Map sheet	NH63NE
Civil Parish	INVERNESS AND BONA
Geographical Area	INVERNESS

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