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MHG57967 - Gravemarker, Lochournhead

Summary

Gravemarker, Lochournhead

Type and Period (1)

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Lochournhead
This area was recorded by NOSAS in 2004 as part of an archaeological survey of Inner Loch Hourn. A number of revetted platforms with round ended turf footings had been noted at Lochournhead in 2000 and subsequent years, but they had not been surveyed and recorded. One of the highlights of the 2004 survey was the survey of these sites, and the discovery of several more, spread over some distance, set into the foot of the steep ground outwith the 19th century head ditch and dyke enclosing the improved fields which make up the home farm at Lochournhead.

The interpretation is that they represent the remains of the earliest houses at Lochournhead and that they were creel houses i.e. with timber cruck frames supporting the hip ended thatched roofs, with walls of hazel wattle on the inside and turfs built up on the outside. Some of these remains are in defendable positions and could date back to the medieval period. 19th and 20 century farming has obliterated any visible evidence of early cultivation on the best ground but there is one substantial area of lazy beds on steep ground outwith the fields. The 19th century sheep fank and 20th century long stay car park have probably destroyed one or two more old houses.

Site 759. A single grave marker, being a slab of local stone c 0.6m high x 0.4m wide and 0.1m thick, chocked in place by other stones. It has a date inscribed of 1882, but there is no name. The grave is in a small earth filled cleft on top of a huge rock outcrop directly above Loch Beag and close to the public road. The grave is almost certainly that of a small child. <1>

Indicative area only – site not visible on Aps.

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Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 9469 0686 (2m by 1m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG90NW
Geographical Area	SKYE AND LOCHALSH
Civil Parish	GLENELG

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Related Investigations/Events (1)

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