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MHG62584 - Hut circle - Allt A Choire Mhoir [L]

Summary

A hut circle at Allt a' Choire Mhoir in Glen Loth.

Type and Period (3)

Protected Status

Full Description

Hut circle at Allt a' Choire Mhoir in Glen Loth, originally recorded by the OS as NC91NW16 [C], subsequently renumbered by the OS as NC91NW1 [L].

Enclosures (NR) (Three shown A-C)
OS 6" map, (1964)

On the hillslope W of the old hill road to Loth, are three disturbed areas which would seem to be the quarried remains of groups of enclosures.
A - occupies a small spur, and seems to be the remains of a "winged" enclosure measuring about 10 x 5.0m NW-SE x 12 x 4.0m NE-SW. Abutting on the E side of this is a small rectangular compartment measuring about 11 x 6.0m. Immediately to the N of this is a disturbed area which may denote the mutilated remains of a small hut circle.
B - close-by, to the S of the above site, are three conjoined scooped areas which are possibly the remains of enclosures. The two northern ones are 9.0m diameter, the third being 10.0m. This one has a wide gap in its NW side.
C - Some 100.0m W of 'A' are the mutilated remains of two con-joined enclosures, one 12.0m diameter, the other 9.0m. Each has a small rectangular compartment abutting on the outer side of the enclosing bank. The entrance to the northern enclosure is through an area of debris on the SE side. The entrance to the other was probably on the NW where there is a gap filled again with a scatter of stones. About 8.0m to the SW of the enclosures is an elongated depression 8.0m long x 2.5m wide x 0.8m deep. What appears to be a slab or lintel stone, lies at its NE end. To all appearances this feature looks like a collapsed earth-house but this fact could not be ascertained. Close to it are the remains of an old bank which, in turn seems to form the N side of an old hill track running generally NE-SW.
Visited by OS (J L D) 1 June 1961.

These three features, as described and planned by the previous field investigator occur within a field system which has been largely overlaid by later run rig cultivation.
The date and purpose of 'A' [J] cannot be determined; there is little evidence to suggest a "small hut circle". Of the three "scooped areas" which constitute 'B' [K], the central feature may be a hut with two contemporary enclosures either side, but the complex is overlaid on the W side by run rig, and positive indentification is difficult. 'C' [L] is a homestead comprising a hut (the SE circle illustrated on OS plan) and attached circular enclosures. The hut is 7.5m in diameter internally with the entrace now filled and mutilated in the SE arc. The rectangular compartments in the hut and enclousre appear to be later mutilations. There is insufficient evidence to identify the elongated depression to the W of the hut as a souterrain; it remains a slight possibility. Revised at 1/10,000.
Visited by OS (J B) 19 October 1976.

291615 918614 Glen Loth 1 AW201: The hut circle was visited by A Welti, A MacInnes and A Coombs in 2016 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 is one of a group of around 14 HCs sited in Strath Kildonan. Some of these are oval, some circular. In the wider area in the vicinity of the Strath there are numerous other similar stone structures interpreted as brochs, cairns and groups of hut circles. Two brochs sit within 11000m of this group. AW201 sits on damp ground in a gently N sloping grazed landscape, surrounded by field walls and some clearance cairns. Surrounding vegetation is mostly grass with some rushes. Inside the structure vegetation is similar. The HC is in poor condition and sits on a platform dug into the slope, with panoramic views inland. The HC is 300m from a stream and 1800m from the navigable river Helm which flows eastwards. The HC averages inner diameter 6.75m, and outer diameter 14.05m. Double skinned walling is 3.5m thick. A possible entrance faces E with passage length 3.0m.Passage walling is visible on the S side The ringbank and a few stones are visible. 250m to the SE is a homestead. Just S of the possible entrance is a sousterrain. A bank which may be associated with the HC follows the arc of HC on NE side running from N to E, veering east and turning into a 2m wide dyke heading east. There is a possible shieling to NW with dimensions 8.3m x 5.2m: it sits on an oval bank 2.25m thick. A raised platform to SW contains a pit or mound 2m x 3m, and obscures some of the S arc of the outer wall of the HC. AW201 is 200m NE of AW202 (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 2022 according to location of feature as seen on 2009 vertical APs. <3>

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 9160 1863 (29m by 28m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC91NW
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	KILDONAN

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (2)

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