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MHG39810 - Clearance Cairns, Torr Na Criche

Summary

Clearance cairns probably associated with nearby hut circles.

Type and Period (1)

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Full Description

Centred at ND 047 562, at foot of a steep, W-facing slope, are the remains of two hut circles and a further ill-defined structure, all covered by bracken, turf and heather.
The hut circle at ND 0473 5617 is well-defined and built into the slope. It measures 9.5m N-S by 7.5m within a wall spread to 2.5 to 3m wide and up to 0.7m high; the interior is strewn with tumble. The entrance is in S.
The second hut, at ND 0473 5623, is sub-oval and measures approximately 6m E-W by 5.0m internally. The wall is about 1.5m wide and survives to 0.4m high. The entrance is not apparent.
Some 30m to S are remains of what is probably a further domestic structure. It survives as an amorphous pile of stones 10.5m N-S by 7.5m over all. The rubble is up to 0.9m high; in NE, there are large stones, apparently displaced from an outer face. In ENE an upright slab, presumably from an entrance passage, is set transversely to the main axis. The quantity of stone and upright slab are suggestive of a ruined chambered cairn, but its similarity to the northern hut and the close proximity of the huts makes an association with them more likely. The only indication of contemporary cultivation is half a dozen scattered clearance heaps in the vicinity.
Surveyed at 1:10,000. Visited by OS (J B) 18 July 1981.

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Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred ND 0469 5620 (4m by 4m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	ND05NW
Civil Parish	REAY
Geographical Area	CAITHNESS

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Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

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