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MHG55055 - Possible building, north of Littleferry Cottage, Littleferry

Summary

A possible stone building and occupation surface/midden recorded during a watching brief on an electricity trench.

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

During a watching brief in March 2011 an electricity cable trench was observed to cut through an apparent building constructed on a level platform, which had been cut into the face of a slopng sand-dune. This had an internal width of c2m, with a back (N) wall c0.5m wide which was constructed on slight stone footings. There was a notable absence of any demolition stone on either side of the observed footings. The back wall might have been of turf which collapsed and became levelled during the formation of a back garden. The top soil over the structure, though up to 3 times the average depth of top soil in the back garden, was indistinguishable in structure, texture and colour from the back garden top soil as a whole.
The bowl shaped trough of black sand and two small possible packing stones suggests a possible groove for a front (S) timber wall made of planks or posts. A possible occupation surface within the building was suggested by a fine black sandy deposit but no finds were recovered nor was any charcoal noted in the deposit. The deposit spread for some distance either side of the observed walls. <1>

It is suggested elsewhere in <1> (p12) that the black deposit could be a natural accumulation within the subsoil. Cf the midden deposits described in MHG32679. <2>

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	NH 8055 9566 (point)
Map sheet	NH89NW
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	GOLSPIE

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (0)