Print

MHG59651 - Turf dyke, Torr a' Bheithe, Rhu

Summary

Turf dyke at Torr a' Bheithe, Rhu

Type and Period (1)

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>

This previously unidentified, complex structure of stone-built banks, no more than 0.5m high and covering c.20 x 20m, was surveyed by plane table in February 2013. It sits on a raised beach, with rigs to the S, and consists of a sinuous, non-rectangular enclosure c.5m E–W and 15m N–S; the N end of drops c.1.5m, as a stone-built revetment, to the ground below. To the N of this enclosure is a semi-circular wall, with an entrance into the gap between it and the enclosure halfway down the E side of the enclosure. The W end of the wall is blind, connecting to an extension of the enclosure wall, and a low, internal wall bridges the gap c.5m E of the blind end. (Bowker, K. (2014) Arisaig and Moidart, Baile Ur, Ru Peninsula, Survey, Discovery Excav Scot, New, vol. 14, 2013. Cathedral Communications Limited, Wiltshire, England. Page(s): 90-91)

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 39. Turf dyke extending westwards up the hill for 40 – 50 mtrs. Stops where boggy land to east begins. <2>

NGR adjusted based on 2012 aerial photographs. <3>

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NM 6463 8443 (175m by 13m) (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)