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MHG48576 - Lazy beds - Keoldale

Summary

An area of `lazy beds'/rigs.

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

Site 4: Extending from fence by beach to 30 m contour:
a) Area of lazybeds running down slope SW/NE, each 3.5-4 m wide. Small clearance cairn measuring 2 m SW/NE x 1 m (at NC 3767 6635), among beds.
b) Another area of lazybeds at NC 3762 6643 - each 2.6 m SW/NE x 2 m - exposed in sandblow. On NW edge of main field.
Gradual W-facing slope overlooking Kyle of Durness. Under grass, some bracken on higher parts, occasional small sandblows.

Site 5; Small section of lazybeds, 50 m SW/NE by 16 m in extent and each c 3.5 m wide, running NW/SE adjacent to and SE of Site 4. Extends to fence above beach.
Gentle grassy SW-facing slope overlooking Kyle of Durness.

Site 6: Small patch of 4 lazybeds 27 m SW/NE in extent, each c 5.5 m wide, between 20-30 m contours.
Gradual grassy NW-facing slope overlooking Kyle of Durness in an area with occasional burrows.
Lazybeds, all possibly shown on Roy's map (c 1745). <1> <2>

A rapid coastal zone assessment survey was conducted by GUARD in the Autumn of 1997 commissioned by Historic Scotland from the Viking and Early Settlement Archaeological Research Project based at the University of Glasgow.

On turf-covered dunes above a craggy foreshore is an area of `lazy beds'/rigs. At the south end, the rigs run across the slope in an area 55 m NE-SW by 15 m NW-SE, are parallel to each other and are 3 m wide. In the area immediately adjacent to this on the NW is another area of `lazy beds'/rigs which run down the slope over an area in excess of 250 m long. These beds extend up to the 30 m contour and may possibly be associated with a longhouse on the 30 m plateau some 200 m from the coast (see NMRS No NC 36 NE 55). There is a great deal of rabbit-burrowing along this stretch of coast which is leading to land-slip of the subsoil sand and directly threatening this site. Roy's Map records cultivation along this strip of the coast. <3>

A large area of rig has been recorded on oblique aerial photography (RCAHMSAP 2004) disposed as a scatter of inter-digitating blocks on patches of flatter ground amongst the rocky outcrops and dunes between the shores of Loch Borralie and the Kyle of Durness.
Information from RCAHMS (KMM) 21 April 2005 <4>

Sources/Archives (5)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 3771 6645 (413m by 423m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC36NE
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	DURNESS

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (2)

External Links (1)