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MHG46011 - Hut circle and enclosure - Cnoc Smeordail, Eigg

Summary

A hut circle and enclosure at Cnoc Smeordail, Eigg.

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

A hut circle and enclosure at Cnoc Smeordail, Eigg. They were recorded by RCAHMS in 2001 during a survey of the island. It is one of three described as a 'prehistoric settlement' but there is no evidence that they were all contemporary. There are a number of possibly contemporary field boundaries in the immediate area.

This group of three hut circles and two related enclosures, as well as a series of later structures that include seven huts, two pens, two enclosures and several lengths of dyke that relate to shieling activity, are situated in a sheltered gully between Cnoc Smeordail to the SW and the flank of An Cruchan to the NE. They are spread over an area measuring about 200m from NE to SW by 70m transversely at a height of about 200m OD. About 20m to the SE of the first hut circle (see MHG41256) there is a second hut circle (NM 48202 87710). It is circular on plan and measures 4.3m in diameter within a rubble wall 1.3m thick and 0.5m high. The entrance faces SE and is flanked by large boulders. It opens into an irregular enclosure measuring about 14m from NW to SE by 12m transversly, within which there are two later huts, one of which is set against the E side of the hut circle. A further 20m to the SE of this hut circle there is a much smaller enclosure measuring 2.8m in internal diameter. <1> <2>

The hut circle was subsequently Scheduled (and including the other hut circles with associated enclosures and field boundaries) by Historic Scotland in 2004. The area is irregular, and measures a maximum of 210m NW-SE by 105m NE-SW, to include the 3 hut circles and enclosures, plus the later shielings.

GIS spatial data amended in 2019 according to plan as drawn by former RCAHMS.

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NM 48209 87708 (24m by 17m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NM48NE
Civil Parish	SMALL ISLES
Geographical Area	LOCHABER

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (1)