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MHG65784 - Cottage - Kyle of Durness

Summary

A mortared stone cottage now with modern extensions

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

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.

In the dunes abutting the improved grassland of Keoldale Farm, on the inland side of the shore road is a mortared stone cottage. This measures 11 m by 5 m and is divided into two rooms with a fireplace in the internal dividing wall. There is a central chimney and a corrugated iron roof still in situ. This structure was probably first built in a hollow in the dunes but the sand has now drifted at the back and is slumped against the N wall to the height of the roof. There is an associated dry-stone dyke at the east end which may extend behind the building but is now totally lost under sand. This may have been an attempt to revet the sand dunes at the rear. There is also a corrugated iron porch at the E end which has a pointed arch window frame. The structure has been pebble-dashed. All of the windows are missing. The inside of the structure is covered with sand and there is a quantity of debris in the rooms (eg planks, bed frame, etc). The sand dune at the rear will either eventually cover or destroy this structure. <1>

NGR adjusted based on 1999-2001 vertical aerial photographs. <2>

Note: 2016 APs show extensions to the north and south to the cottage. (TB 24/4/26)

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 3810 6613 (13m by 10m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC36NE
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	DURNESS

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