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MHGS7760 - Hut circle - The Black Mare's Rock 'D' (EB004)

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 'D'.

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.

188249 838490 Black Mares Rock 1 EB004: 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. The circular HC sits on an enhanced terrace dug into a gentle slope with aspect to W. The ground is improved with stretches of grass and bracken surrounding the heather covered site. A small burn lies at a distance of 10m down a steep bank. Average interior diameter is 7m, exterior diam is 9.2m, wall thickness is 2m, max height 0.5m. Wall construction unclear, and consists of large boulders with a neat inner face. There is a probable entrance facing SE. Views from the site are panoramic over Loch Carron. There are footings of 2 sheiling huts about 40 m away to NNW and a possible further HC platform with a destroyed sheiling hut to NW. A possible Viking Grave is located at NG88384 38688. There are 7 identified HC's in the group; associated HCs are EB003 (300m distant - see MHG57759), EB002 (400m - see MHG57758), AW001 (100m - see MHG57761), PS006 (100m - see MHG57762), PS005 (250m - see MHG7646) and JM001 (500m - 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 8824 3849 (16m by 16m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG83NE
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	LOCHCARRON

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External Links (2)