MHG65763 - Cultivation strips - Sarsgrum, Kyle of Durness

Summary

A c 110 m stretch of strip cultivation (possibly lazy beds') on a steep slope increasing in severity to the west.

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

  • None recorded

Full Description

A rapid coastal zone assessment survey was conducted by GUARD in the Autumn of 1997 commissioned by Historic Scotland from the Viking and Early Settlement Archaeological Research Project based at the University of Glasgow.

A c 110 m stretch of strip cultivation (possibly lazy beds) on a steep slope increasing in severity to the west. This field runs for 40 m to the north before being bisected by a massive turf and stone dyke which runs on the same alignment as the cultivation strips (ie directly downslope). The field continues for c 70 m to the north of this dyke. The beds are up to 2 m wide. Soil creep downslope has resulted in ridging of the ground surface. This is particularly noticeable on top of the dyke where the fabric shows through the surface. <1>

NGR adjusted based on 2023 vertical aerial photographs. <2>

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred NC 3764 6400 (37m by 116m) (2 map features)
Map sheet NC36SE
Geographical Area SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish DURNESS

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (0)

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