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MHG63341 - Abandoned farmstead - Crofts of Hillpark, Achalone, Caithness

Summary

An abandoned farmstead at Crofts of Hillpark, Achalone, Caithness.

Type and Period (1)

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Full Description

An abandoned farmstead at Crofts of Hillpark, Achalone, Caithness. It is shown on the OS 1st Edition 1:2500 map as a reverse 'L'-shaped small complex of buildings with attached small enclosures or yards. The remains are still partly upstanding and visible in vertical aerial photography. <1> <2>

A DBA and walkover survey was carried out by RPS Consultants in July 2006 in advance of a proposed wind farm development near Spittal, Caithness.

Site 3; Two longhouse crofts of approximately 11m in length and 3.5 m wide, forming an L-shape; the buildings were arranged with the S long wall of the western in line with the south gable of the eastern, with the two being joined by a 2 m long corridor, with a small gap in between the two buildings being screened by a 0.3 m wide section of walling. The east croft retained both gables, as well as having fireplaces at each end. An alcove in the north gable contained a single upright slab vertically dividing it, so that it formed two cupboards, accessible from both sides of the gable, and a small 5 m by 5m ancillary room, which had been added later. The E-W orientated longhouse no longer had the west gable visible, although the east gable survived in relatively good condition. The passageway between the two buildings and the walls showed evidence of lime plaster. An upright slab on the south side suggested the room had had box beds or stalling. <3>

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred ND 1776 5569 (67m by 58m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	ND15NE
Civil Parish	HALKIRK
Geographical Area	CAITHNESS

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