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MHG58442 - Lazy beds, Croulin (east)

Summary

Lazy beds, Croulin (east)

Type and Period (1)

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Full Description

Croulin (east)
These sites were recorded by NOSAS in 2008/9 as part of an archaeological survey of outer Loch Hourn.

Croulin is a place of two halves, divided by a river, with a broad outwash fan. For convenience, they are referred to as Croulin (east) and Croulin (west); though the owner of Croulin (west) calls his property, Cnoc Gorm, after the hill above, this does not appear to be a historical name. Both Croulins are occupied today by working fishermen.

There are small townships on both sides of the burn some 500m inland, whilst lower down, closer to the shore, there are numerous scattered ruins within the now enclosed fields (figs. 13 and 14). The homes of the 2 current occupants, along with their various outbuildings, sit to either side of the enclosed ground. We estimate that as much as 10 hectares of land was in cultivation at one time. The cultivation remains are still very visible, both on the ground and in aerial photographs. Later the best of the ground was enclosed by a substantial stone wall and shows evidence of having been ploughed by tractor. A sheep fank was constructed on the top side of the enclosed ground (Site 1136; fig. 14; plate 27). It is also possible that - after the lower ground was first enclosed - the poorer ground above the head dyke was cultivated in lazy beds for potatoes, at the time when the population was at his peak.

Site 1148. A rectangular area of cultivation remains (lazy beds), aligned NNW-SSE and covering c.1 hectare at the top of the pebble beach. Each bed measures 2.5m from furrow to furrow and is 0.3m high. The area is now covered in bracken and moss.

Site 1150. An area of cultivation remains (broad rig), aligned NW-SE, though arcing round to NE-SW at the W end. The rigs stand to 0.4m in height and are c.5m in width. They cover c. 2ha and are bracken covered. <1>

NGR adjusted based on 1999-2001 AP’s <2>

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 7879 0975 (453m by 124m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG70NE
Civil Parish	GLENELG
Geographical Area	LOCHABER

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Related Investigations/Events (1)

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