Print

MHG59966 - Hut circle - Inverlael (Allt a Moullin 1)

Summary

A hut circle at Inverlael, Lochbroom.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A hut circle at Inverlael, Lochbroom.

218708 886580 SM011 Inverlael Allt a Moullin 1: The hut circle was visited by A Welti, P Newling and S MacKenzie in 2010 as part of research for a dissertation on hut circles in Wester Ross. This was part of a degree course overseen by Aberdeen University. This HC is one of a group of 3 circular stone structures sited on breaks of a steep slope with a SW aspect, beside Allt a Moulin and above the Lael Forest tree plantation. SM012 is in fair condition and has been much robbed out, probably to construct shieling huts. One shieling is present inside SM011 only as banking, and another possible one shows as a line of boulders beside the banking (see sketch). SM011 is 60m from the Allt a Moulin and 1000m from the river Lael. It is 400m from a freshwater lochan and 1000m from a sea loch, Loch Broom. The platform of SM011 is on a natural terrace and is dug into and built out from a moderately steep slope. The vegetation surrounding the structure is a mixture of heather, bracken and grass. The interior vegetation is mainly grass and bracken with some heather. SM011 has average inner diameter 7m and outer diameter 10m. The double skinned wall is 1.2m thick with maximum height 0.5m. There is a probable entrance facing SE, with tumbled slabs in the passage. Passage width at both Interior and exterior ends is 1.2m. SM011 is 12m from SM012 (see MHG59963) and 60m from SM013 (see MHG59961). Nearby at NH 18781 86447, at a distance of 500m to W of SM011, is a flat grassy terrace with a circular stone setting diameter 5m. There are traces of a shieling inside this setting (see MHG). <1> <2>

[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 approximate location as shown on 2009 APs. <3>

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NH 1881 8650 (16m by 16m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NH18NE
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	GAIRLOCH

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (0)

External Links (0)