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MHG61063 - Hut circle - Balgown ('C')

Summary

A Hut circle at Balgown.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A Hut circle at Balgown, recorded originally by the OS as Hut circle C.

Centred at NG 389 689 is a settlement of four circular stone-walled huts (A to D).
Apart from 'A' the hut measurements are given between wall centres.
Hut 'A' has the inner wall face visible intermittently indicating an internal diameter of 6.5m. The outer wall face is evident in the N and S giving a wall thickness of 1.9m. The entrance is not evident.
'B' measures c.6.0m in diameter with the wall spread to c.2.0m all round. Several inner wall facing stones are visible and a single outer facing stone in the SW give a wall thickness here of 1.0m. The entrance in the W is ill-defined.
'C' is denuded measuring c.9.0m in diameter with the wall spread to an indeterminate width. The S side is clipped by a probably contemporary field bank. The entrance is not apparent.
'D' scarcely discernible, measures c.7.0m in diameter with the wall spread to an indeterminate width. The entrance is not evident.
Around the huts are a few denuded stone clearance heaps and low banks, probably from contemporary cultivation plots, which are overlaid by later cultivation including lazy beds.
Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS (R L) 9 September 1971.

The hut circle was photographed by the Highland Council. <1> <2>

138993 868881 Balgowan 3 JAN061: The hut circle was visited by A Welti, B Blackburn and M Wildgoose in 2018 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 circular stone structure was recorded by OS in 1971 as part of a group of 4 HCs. In 2018 only three could be identified. The cluster sits in a field above the main road, overlooking a flat marshy area with the sea in the distance. Views are panoramic, both inland and to the sea. The marshy area was once a loch, now drained. The surrounding terrain is grass covered and grazed. The HC is sited on a gentle west facing slope and is adjacent to a low banked enclosure and there are other remnants of field boundaries in the vicinity. JAN061 sits on a natural terrace. It has a double skinned wall, inner diameter 9m, outer diameter 10m measured in E/W direction. A N/S measurement was not possble as the south sector has been ploughed out by a 4m wide rig. No entrance was evident. A few wall facings were visible. <2> <3>

[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 amended in 2019 to location as shown on 2009 APs. <4>

Sources/Archives (5)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 3899 6888 (16m by 16m)
Map sheet	NG36NE
Geographical Area	SKYE AND LOCHALSH
Civil Parish	KILMUIR

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