Print

MHG5782 - Hut circle - Balgown ('A')

Summary

A hut circle at Balgown.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A hut circle at Balgown, recorded originally by the OS as Hut circle A.

Centred at NG 389 689 is a settlement of four circular stone-walled huts (A to D).
Apart from 'A' the hut measurements are given between wall centres.
Hut 'A' has the inner wall face visible intermittently indicating an internal diameter of 6.5m. The outer wall face is evident in the N and S giving a wall thickness of 1.9m. The entrance is not evident.
'B' measures c.6.0m in diameter with the wall spread to c.2.0m all round. Several inner wall facing stones are visible and a single outer facing stone in the SW give a wall thickness here of 1.0m. The entrance in the W is ill-defined.
'C' is denuded measuring c.9.0m in diameter with the wall spread to an indeterminate width. The S side is clipped by a probably contemporary field bank. The entrance is not apparent.
'D' scarcely discernible, measures c.7.0m in diameter with the wall spread to an indeterminate width. The entrance is not evident.
Around the huts are a few denuded stone clearance heaps and low banks, probably from contemporary cultivation plots, which are overlaid by later cultivation including lazy beds.
Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS (R L) 9 September 1971.

The hut circle weas photographed by the Highland Council. <1>

138929 869940 Balgowan 1 BB700: The hut circle was visited by A Welti, B Blackburn and M Wildgoose in 2018 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 stone structure was recorded by OS in 1971 as part of a group of 4 HCs. In 2018 only three could be identified. The cluster sits in a field above the main road, overlooking a flat marshy area with the sea in the distance. Views are panoramic, both inland and to the sea. The marshy area was once a loch, now drained. The surrounding terrain is grass covered and grazed. The HC is sited on a gentle west facing slope and is adjacent to a low banked enclosure and there are other remnants of field boundaries in the vicinity. The circular structure has average inner diameter 6.8m, and outer diameter 9.85m. The interior is grass covered and partially bowl shaped. The double skinned wall thickness is 1.3m with maximum height 0.3m. The ring bank is visible as are some wall facings. The inner NE section of the bank seems to have been straightened, possibly a later alteration. A west facing possible entrance leads onto a small outer platform. A field fence runs E/W at a distance of 13m to the N of the northern edge of the HC. BB700 is 6m from JAN060 (see MHG) and 66m from JAN061 (see MHG). <2> <3>

[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 2019 to location as shown on 2009 APs. <4>

The site was visited and photographed by S Birch of West Coast Archaeological Services in 2024 during a walkover survey in advance of a proposed water main rehab project. It was noted that but both this hut circle and the one immediately adjacent to the east (see MHG61062) were showing evidence of erosion due to them being used as feeding stations for cattle. <5>

Sources/Archives (5)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 3892 6895 (14m by 14m)
Map sheet	NG36NE
Geographical Area	SKYE AND LOCHALSH
Civil Parish	KILMUIR

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (2)