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MHG59693 - Hut circle - An Sithean, Skye

Summary

A hut circle at An Sithean, Skye.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A hut circle at An Sithean, Skye.

A hut circle (site LS32), one of 29 identified or re-recorded by M Wildgoose in a walkover survey as part of the High Pasture Cave and Environs project. Two test pits were excavated in the hut circle in 2011. A disturbed, boulder revetted, circular platform measuring 8m in overall diameter. The site lies in a wet hollow with an open south west aspect. Excavation recovered the remains of a shallow pit filled with a white ash and charcoal flecks at the centre of the platform. No structural evidence was recovered. <1>

Summary of the landscape survey project and test pitting campaign. <2>

162917 822082 HPC32 An Sithean 1: The hut circle was recorded by A Welti and J Guest in 2010 as part of research for a dissertation on hut circles in Wester Ross. This is one of a number of prehistoric roundhouses in the area in and around Strath Suardal. This Strath runs NE/SW from Broadford to Torrin. These roundhouses are of special interest as all are within relatively easy reach of the site of High Pasture Cave (MHG32043) and hence some may have been associated with it. High Pasture Cave is visible to SW at a distance of 4000m from this site. A chambered cairn is visible to the west at a distance of 200m. The roundhouse is very damaged. Only the circular platform shows. It is built up from a moderate slope and there is no trace of a structure. Bedrock is exposed on the western arc of the platform. The surrounding landscape is covered with a mixture of grass and heather and on the platform vegetation is mainly heather with some rushes. HPC32 is 400m from a stream and 1800m from freshwater Loch Cill Chriosd. The approximate outer diameter of the platform is 12.7m. No other measurements were possible. HPC32 is 130m from HPC33 (see MHG), 200m from HPC36 (see MHG5318), and is close to HPC119 (see MHG) and HPC34 (see MHG). These HCs seem to be sited in a cluster around the chambered cairn (see MHG5318). This HC was test-pitted by Martin Wildgoose and S Glover as part of the High Pasture Cave and Environs project, (see MHG5230). Excavation produced charcoals but no date was obtained. <3> <4>

[Note: a database was set up as part of research for the dissertation and was subsequently expanded as an extension of the We Digs Project (see website link below). The full access database can be made available to enquirers/researchers if requested - contact HER for details].

GIS spatial data created in 2019 to location as shown on 2010 vertical APs. <5>

Sources/Archives (5)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 6291 2208 (12m by 12m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG62SW
Geographical Area	SKYE AND LOCHALSH
Civil Parish	STRATH

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Related Investigations/Events (1)

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