Print

MHG59643 - Dyke/possible vallum, Torr a' Bheithe, Rhu

Summary

Ruined dyke, a possible vallum at Torr a' Bheithe, Rhu

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

Eight unroofed buildings which are labelled as Old Shielings are depicted on the current edition of the OS 1:10000 map (1973). Six unroofed buildings and an incomplete enclosure are shown on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Inverness-shire 1876, sheet cxxxiv).
Information from RCAHMS (SAH) 19 August 1996

The OS map shows a series of features to the east of Tòrr a’Bheithe which are described as 'Old Shielings'. These are not shielings but permanent structures both of drystone and possibly of turf and stone construction. They were not examined in detail. <1>

Tòrr a’Bheithe is a settlement of nine sub-rectangular ruins with at least some walling and another similar eight features with only signs of footings. Marked as old shielings on the modern OS maps, this was once, however, a permanent settlement with remains of several enclosure walls and a possible corn kiln. It was surveyed in 2013 by Rough Bounds Archaeology et al.

Site 32. Substantial stone built dyke running roughly east west for c. 20 metres at the foot of a 10 metre high cliff with a 3 to 4 metre gap between the cliff and the dyke. A large standing stone was incorporated ¾ way along the dyke to the west. The dyke then turns SSE to partly surround Wp 33. At the west end if you turn away to the north a ‘path’ made an easy way up to the top of the cliff. A very strange and enigmatic feature taken with Wps 33 and the ‘level’ area described at Wp 30 (MHG59640) "could possibly suggest burial ground along with chapel and surrounding enclosing wall, a Vallum". <2>

NGR adjusted based on 2012 aerial photographs. <3>

1st Edition OS 6" <4>

Sources/Archives (4)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NM 6435 8393 (33m by 32m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NM68SW
Civil Parish	ARISAIG AND MOIDART
Geographical Area	LOCHABER

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (2)

External Links (1)