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MHG63640 - Farmstead - Strone Achvachy

Summary

A ruined farmstead at Strone Achvachy.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A walkover survey was conducted over a parcel of ground proposed for afforestation, Auchinduich, Sutherland by Argyl Archaeology in 2013.

Site 7: Settlement comprising a house 5 x 11m, drystone wall with 2 windows facing south, gable end, wall surviving to max height of 2.10 m, wall 0.70m wide. Enclosure/yard on north side 13m long, with possible barn structure on northwest side of yard. Another rectangular structure to west of house with possible cart shed on the east side of this structure. Large drystone wall enclosure to south of the house, with smaller enclosure in southeast corner. <1>

A desk-based assessment and walkover survey was undertaken by CFA Archaeology in 2017 of the proposed Garvary Wind Farm development site.

The remains of a small farmstead and field system are shown on modern Ordnance Survey maps (2015). The map shows three possible unroofed buildings (one of two
compartments and one with an attached rectangular enclosure), two sinuous field banks and an enclosure. 'Strone Achvachy' is first shown and named on Burnett's map (1855). It is shown as an abandoned (unroofed) settlement on the 1907 map. The enclosures and fields, defined by the remains of stone walls, and the remains of buildings are visible on modern aerial photography (Google Earth). The field system can be seen on the aerial photography to extend further to the west and the east than is mapped on the 2015 Ordnance Survey map. The remains appear to be those of a small farmstead or croft abandoned sometime between 1874 and 1903 (the date of the 2nd edition survey) and are more extensive and complex than currently mapped. This farmstead was surveyed in some detail in 2013 (Ellis 2013) at which time a number of additional features were recorded to those identified in the HER entry. Most of the features identified by the 2013 survey were interpreted as being dwellings, barns and small enclosures, of some agricultural purpose, and clearance cairns. <2>

Ordnance Survey Mastermap <3>

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NH 6197 9799 (101m by 108m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NH69NW
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	CREICH

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

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