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MHG38012 - Hut circle and cave/souterrain - Alt A Ghoirtein

Summary

An oval enclosure, possibly a hut circle, with an ?associated cave/souterrain near the Alt A Ghoirtein.

Type and Period (4)

Protected Status

Full Description

An oval enclosure, possibly a hut circle, with an ?associated cave/souterrain near the Alt A Ghoirtein, Skye.

On the southern slopes of the saddle linking Ben Cleat and Ben Meabost a promontory marks the confluence of two streams. Extensive traces of rig and furrow cultivation encircle the site, which is a natural cave with structural modifications. Remains of dwellings lie some 150m to the east where a modern water-tank stands. At the eastern edge of the promontory is the entrance to the cave, the opening narrowed to 0.7m in width by the construction of a blocking-wall to the west. A short downward incline opens into a chamber c.7m long (north-south) and 3m wide, with an earth and rock-debris floor containing recent midden material. To the west is a second gallery of similar dimensions. The two galleries are linked by a third, originally c.2m wide, but reduced to c. 1 m through the construction of a wall projecting from the south wall of the cave. Access to the inner gallery is currently restricted due to floor debris. The galleries underlie an oval enclosure some 13.5m east-west by 11m north-south. The earth and stone perimeter is of variable width and height, broken on the western side. It contains a reed-filled hollow. <1>

Sources/Archives (1)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 5308 1517 (30m by 30m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG51NW
Geographical Area	SKYE AND LOCHALSH
Civil Parish	STRATH

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

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External Links (1)