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MHG39183 - Square Cairn - Eyre Point

Summary

A square cairn in an area of many other possible cairns.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

To the SW of cairn MHG4107 are a further six cairns, three of which are kerbed, and one of which shows a central capstone. <1>

Eyre point has the potential for being a significant funerary site probably spanning several millennia. The prominent remains of a chambered chairn (MHG4107) has been known for many years. In 1998 R.Miket reported a further six small cairns close by and the contributors reported a chambered cairn at Pairc nan Each (MHG35620), overlooking Eyre last year (DES 1999, 59). In Feburary and April 2000 the area was looked at in detail and at least 17 cairns are now thought to be present, mostly round and many with stone kerbs. All are quite small with diameters varying from 3.0m to 7,0m, but significantly several are rectangular, almost square in plan. A further very disturbed patch of land , closer to the sea, some 35m long by 15m wide may contain 5 small kerbed cairns, two rectangular cairns, an unidentified mound ands several possible boat burials. A preliminary list of features at Eyre includes 2 chambered cairns, 3 round cairns, 8 kerbed cairns, 4 rectangular cairns, 3 boat burials , 1 unidentified mound, together with a probable fishermans bothy and some small shallow pits. <2>

The cairns at Eyre point were intended to be surveyed by ACFA, however access to the croft land containing Eyre point was refused. Instead, a combination of previous notes and observations from the strand between the sea and the raised beach were drawn together, and the results of which were published in 2004. A square cairn was identified 2m west of MHG39182. It measured 2.8m from N-S and was 2.6m E-W. The cairn was clearly defined by stones on the N and W sides but less clearly on the other two sides. On S side a stone 0.8m long lay out of line and turning inwards. The cairn was no more than 0.35m high and had a flat interior covered with grass and heather. <3>

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 5794 3417 (5m by 4m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG53SE
Geographical Area	SKYE AND LOCHALSH
Civil Parish	PORTREE

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

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