MHG65871 - Dyke - Smoo Inlet

Summary

A dry-stone dyke which runs NE-SW for 35 m from the modern road to the cliff-edge.

Type and Period (1)

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.

On top of Smoo cave is a dry-stone dyke which runs NE-SW for 35 m from the modern road to the cliff-edge and is a continuation of the concrete mortared dyke which follows the course of that road. Sections of this dyke survive up to 5 courses (I m) high while others areas are reduced to one course. What appears to be an earlier dyke runs at right-angles to this and survives only to one turfed-over course. This wall runs E-W for 11 m on the W side of the first dyke described. <1>

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

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred NC 4186 6712 (20m by 40m) (2 map features)
Map sheet NC46NW
Geographical Area SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish DURNESS

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (0)

Comments and Feedback

Do you have any more information about this record? Please feel free to comment with information and photographs, or ask any questions, using the "Disqus" tool below. Comments are moderated, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible.