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MHG57761 - Hut circle - The Black Mare's Rock 'E' (AW001)

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 'E'.

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.

188240 838514 Black Mares Rock 5 AW001: The hut circle was visited by A Welti and K Clarke 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 a platform dug into and built up from a gentle slope with SE aspect and with panoramic views over land and to Loch Carron. It is below some crags and 100m from a burn. Average inner diameter is 4.7m, exterior is 9.2m, double skinned wall width is 2.5m and max height is 0.65m. The entrance width is 1.0m both internally and externally. Some of the outer facing stones are up to 1m in length. The structure is submerged by bracken and moss. Around the HC site there is evidence of improvement with large grass/bracken areas. A field wall is visible between the HC and the burn, turning at right angles downslope of the HC, and forming a large enclosure. Nearby are 2 sheiling huts, one clearance cairn and one possible burial cairn. There are 7 identified HC's in the group; associated HCs are PS005 (200m distant - see MHG7646), EB002 (150m - see MHG57758), PS006 (100m - see MHG57762), EB003 (150m - see MHG57759), EB004 (100m - see MHG57760) and JM001 (400m - 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 8833 3856 (14m by 14m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG83NE
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	LOCHCARRON

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External Links (2)