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MHG57759 - Hut circle - The Black Mare's Rock 'C' (EB003)

Summary

A hut circle at The Black Mare's Rock.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A hut circle at The Black Mare's Rock, originally surveyed by the OS as Hut circle 'C'.

Centred at NG 882 384 on a rugged SE-facing hillside is a settlement of six circular stone-walled houses ('A'- 'F').
'A' measures 12.5m diameter between centres of a wall spread to 2.5m. The ill-defined entrance is in ESE.
'B' is 7m diameter between centres of a wall spread to 2m, with an ill-defined entrance in ESE. A later ruinous construction (c2m diameter) has been built inside house in NE arc against inner face.
'C' is 7.5m diameter between centres of a wall spread to 2.5m. The entrance in E is 1.3m wide.
'D' is 7.5m diameter within a wall 1.3m thick. The inner face of contiguous stones on edge is well preserved in N and W arcs. The ill-defined entrance is in E.
'E', the best preserved, is 6m diameter within a wall 1.4m thick, with entrance in ESE.
'F', in poor state of preservation, 6.5m diameter between wall centres.
In vicinity of houses are a few stone clearance heaps and ruinous walls probably from contemporary cultivation.
Surveyed at 1/2500, 1/10,000. Visited by OS (A A) 31 May 1974.

A hut circle centred at GR 881 387 with east facing entrance. It is the best preserved of the four hut circles in this settlement.
Information and photograph supplied by P Swan, 2003

188131 838586 Black Mares Rock 3 EB003: The hut circle was visited by A Welti and P Swan in 2009 as part of research for a dissertation on hut circles in Wester Ross. This was part of a degree course overseen by Aberdeen University. This circular HC sits on a platform on a natural terrace on a gentle slope with panoramic views over land and Loch Carron. It is 30m from a good running burn and the land around has been improved with swathes of bracken amongst the heather. The interior of the HC is covered with moss and bracken, and the walls are submerged in heather. A few prominent stones and some wall facings are visible. There is a lot of tumble around the entrance. Average interior diameter is 5.4m, exterior diam is 9.8m, double skinned wall is 1.8m wide and max height is 0.7m. A probable entrance faces E. Internal entrance width is 1m, external width is 1.5m, entrance passage length is 4.5m, indicating an extended entrance. A possible later L shaped structure sits to S of HC. There are 7 identified HC's in the group; associated HCs are PS005 (300m distant - see MHG7646), EB002 (250m - see MHG57758), AW001 (200m - see MHG57761), PS006 (200m - see MHG57762), EB004 (200m - see MHG57760) and JM001 (900m - see MHG14042). <1> <2>

[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 created in 2018 according to location as shown on 2009 APs. <3>

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 8812 3859 (14m by 14m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG83NE
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	LOCHCARRON

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External Links (2)