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MHG65551 - Shielings - Feith Ghlas

Summary

It is quite likely that these are shieling sites connected with nearby settlement.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

An archaeological survey, including desk-based assessment and walk-over survey, was conducted in 2000 for the WGS proposal at Cnoc Leamhnachd, Sutherland.

Area 1 (see figure 4)
This area is made up of five structures that are related firstly by their proximity to each other, and secondly because they are clustered in and around an elongated hollow, a prominent feature of the landscape, giving the appearance of a unit. The area looks distinctive today because of the presence of bracken and coarse grass rather than the deep heather that surrounds it, which is another indicator of relatively recent land use (probably functioning as some sort of focus for occupation within the last 200 years). The hollow is located toward the south-east end of the hill, which provides local shelter and more generally is protected from the north and north-westerly winds, making it an attractive location for settlement.

Structure 1 is a roughly rectangular setting of stones (maximum diameter 1.2 metres), at most two courses high, tucked against the southern edge of the hollow. It measures approximately 6 metres in length by 5.2 metres in breadth. There is no apparent entrance way, but the structure appears to be dilapidated, giving only a rough indication of its form. It is possible that what is visible is only the foundation course of a mainly turf-built structure, as there is little evidence for tumbled stone implying an original wall height significantly higher than what remains. It is also possible that the structure was never significantly higher, or roofed.

Structure 2 is located in the north-east corner of the hollow and consists of a low mound, sub-rectangular in shape, with a hollow in the centre. It measures 5.5 metres in length by 4 metres in breadth. There is little stone visible and it has the appearance of a turf built structure that has almost completely collapsed and eroded flat.

Structure 3 is located at the upper end of the hollow, to the west, and consists of a circular area terraced into the hillside, its western edge defined by a crescent of small stones (maximum diameter 0.4 metres). The stones form an incomplete circle, diameter approximately 4.3 metres, with a large stone (diameter 1.2 metres) located at the eastern edge of the terrace.

Structure 4 is a circular feature located on the slight ridge which defines the southern boundary of the hollow. It is completely hidden by deep heather, but the stones that make up the wall can be traced. It is approximately 4 metres in diameter. Appearing to enclose this structure is a boundary wall (Structure 5) made from a number of large boulders set on edge, some with packing stones visible. Between the large boulders are smaller stones, but there are gaps where no stones can be traced. The wall encloses Structure 4 to the south and west, and can be traced for some way to the east.

Little can be assumed about these structures, whether they were occupied or functioned contemporaneously, what was their function, or details of their original form. Though they appear to be a unit this could be more to do with the fact that the hollow in which they are located offers shelter on an exposed hillside rather than that they were used at the same time. Structure 1 would appear to be the most recent, mainly due to its construction from stone. The important fact is that these structures indicate a human presence, probably as recently as 200 years ago, in this upland zone. It is quite likely that these are shieling sites connected with nearby settlement, possibly those indicated (though by this date abandoned) on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey of 1875. <1>

Note: Site not visible on aerial photographs so location based on report map. No grid references recorded. (TB 25/2/26)

Sources/Archives (1)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 7592 1145 (67m by 67m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC71SE
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	CLYNE

Finds (0)

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Related Investigations/Events (1)

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