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MHG65869 - Dyke - Leirinbeg

Summary

A massive linear boundary that bisects the Leirinbeg headland from the north cliff-edge back towards, and possibly beyond Smoo Lodge.

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.

There is a massive linear boundary that bisects the Leirinbeg headland from the north cliff-edge back towards, and possibly beyond Smoo Lodge. This is characterised by an enormous quantity of stone tumble which used to form a dry-stone dyke. The facing of this wall survives in patches, as does 3-4 courses in isolated patches. In areas were the wall has eroded to reveal the footings there is clearly a turf element to this feature. There is an indication that an earlier turf- or turf-and-stone dyke has been faced or replaced by the stone version. There is a 1 m wide and 0.6 m high turf bank at the east side of the linear rubble element to this feature. The peat which covers Leirinbeg is more eroded and patchy at the west side of this line than it is at the east. This may be evidence that the linear boundary marked the east edge of an area set aside for peat cutting. There is also a gap in the line of this feature through which a path passes. The stone-built element of this feature has almost totally collapsed and the north edge is eroding over the cliff. Much of this damage may have been caused by the extensive rabbit burrowing evident in the area. <1>

NGR adjusted based on 2020 vertical aerial photographs. <2>

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 4171 6757 (300m by 465m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC46NW
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	DURNESS

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Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

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