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MHG6359 - Hut circle - Cnoc Alasdair

Summary

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Type and Period (1)

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Full Description

There are hut circles and numerous tumuli on Cnoc Alasdair. <1>

Near foot of Cnoc Alasdair's south side there is an elliptical enclosure set on the nearly level hillside. It measures 26m SSW-NNE by 9m internally with walls spread to an average of 3m and reaching a maximum height of 0.5m. Entrance in SSW is somewhat obscured by peat build-up. A stone on its E side is probably either a portal or an outer facing stone. No hut circles were located in area.
The enclosure lies within an apparently typical Iron Age field system of clearance heaps, lynchets and one or two field banks. A plot of 30m x 15m was measured but generally the plots are not clearly delimited. Centred at NH600731 on hill's east slopes is an area of stone clearance heaps; no huts or distinct cultivation plots are evident (Visited by OS (R L) 4 November 1970). The area is now partially afforested.
Surveyed at 6" on PR MSD. Visited by OS (JB) 19 11 1976.

The enclosure as described and planned resembles hut circle in (a) its topographic position, (b) its association with typical "Iron Age" field system, (c) apparent mode of construction and (d) the quality of the remains; it appears well-built and of uniform shape suggesting some form of early dwelling rather than stock enclosure.
Visited by OS (N K B) 16 December 1976.

GIS spatial data amended in 2023 according to location of feature as seen on 2021 vertical APs. <2>

See MHG38974 for the field system.

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NH 5950 7294 (33m by 42m)
Map sheet	NH57SE
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	ALNESS

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