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MHG57972 - Ice house - Lochournhead

Summary

Ice house, Lochournhead

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

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 754. A possible small ice house, of carefully built stone work, set well into the foot of a steep hill slope and covered with earth, open to the front. Dimensions are c 1.5m deep N/S (front to back), opening to N is c 1m x1m. At the time of recording the base was full of water and the full extent of construction could not be determined. <1>

In 2006, NOSAS returned to complete a more detailed survey of Kinlochourn and Lochournhead (p.41) which has been used to locate some of the sites. <2>

Note; Site not visible on APs so location approximate. (T Blackie 1/6/18)

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 9493 0653 (4m by 4m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG90NW
Geographical Area	SKYE AND LOCHALSH
Civil Parish	GLENELG

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Related Investigations/Events (2)

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