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MHG51506 - Hut circle - east of Tulloch House, Aultbea

Summary

A hut circle situated on a slight knoll at the top of the slope to the east of Tulloch House, Aultbea.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A hut circle situated on a slight knoll at the top of the slope to the east of Tulloch House, Aultbea.

A walkover survey in 2007 by Highland Archaeology Services (C Dagg) prior to the proposed renewal of a water main between Aultbea and Mellon Charles identified a hut circle which, although not previously recorded, is locally known. The platform of the hut circle was located on a slight knoll at the top of the slope and was slightly dug into the ground to the northeast and built up to the southwest. It measured 8-9m in diameter and appeared slightly oval. A section of walling was exposed to the east - apparently a recent deliberate investigation. The ground to the southwest was considered to have notably rich grass and may contain midden deposits. <1>

This hut circle was noted again in a walkover survey in 2008 carried out by C Dagg as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment prior to the replacemnt of an overhead power line from Aultbea to Dundonnell. It was noted as being a grass-covered circle with few obvious stones. A new pole for the OHL was to be sited just to the north but it was not thought that works would have any direct impact on the hut circle itself. <2>

188074 889126 Tulloch House MR001: The hut circle was visited by A Welti in 2010 as part of research for a dissertation on hut circles in Wester Ross. This was part of a degree course overseen by Aberdeen University. The HC is sited on a grassy knoll at the top of a very gentle slope with SW aspect. To SW the grass is very lush possibly indicating midden deposits. Few stones are visible. A croft wall passes 20m to N of the HC. Average internal diameter is 8m, external diameter is 12.5m. The double skinned wall is 1.2m thick, max height is 0.25m.Internal entrance width is 2.7m and entrance length on N side is 5.4m, an extended entrance terminal. This HC may be associated with JAN006 (500m distant - see MHG58061), JAN007 (200m distance - see MHG58062) and JAN008 (150m distant - see MHG58065). <3> <4>

[Note: a database was set up as part of research for the dissertation and was subsequently expanded as an extension of the We Digs Project (see website link below). The full access database can be made available to enquirers/researchers if requested - contact HER for details].

GIS spatial data amended in 2018 to location as shown on 2009 APs. <5>

Sources/Archives (5)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 88069 89135 (16m by 16m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG88NE
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	GAIRLOCH

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (2)

External Links (1)