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MHG65992 - Shieling hut - Lochan Fuar

Summary

A shieling hut at Lochan Fuar, Badachro, near Gairloch.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A shieling hut at Lochan Fuar, Badachro, near Gairloch. It is located within an earlier hut circle (see MHG7669), which is itself located within an enclosure (see MHG41229).

Within a heather covered field enclosure 0.3m. high constructed of large boulders, at NG 7965 7102, on a sheltered slope 80.0m. from the shore of Loch Fuar, there are the grass and bracken-covered footings of a hut circle, measuring 9.0m. internal diameter. The dry-stone walls are 2.5m. thick and 0.9m. max. height and the faces are defined by orthostats. The 1.2m wide entrance is in the SE. The amorphous remains of a small dry-stone building, probably a shieling has been constructed within the circle, and post-dates it.
Visited by OS (N K B) 26 March 1965; Visible on RAF air photographs CPE/ SCOT/UK 246 4387-8.

NG 7965 7103. A hut circle is situated at an elevation of 100m on a southeast facing hillside 100m west of the north end of Loch an Uidhear (called "Lochan Fuar" on the OS map). The diameter of the circle is relatively large being 15m (external) and the walling is of stone. The entrance is at 113 degrees grid, with a structure visible external to it. There are the remains of a bothie size 6m x 3m built inside the circle. A setting of isolated stones, starting and finishing in the vicinity of the entrance runs round and behind the circle to enclose a bean-shaped area of extent 130m by 60m. The hut circle is shown on the OS map but not the setting of stones. <1>

The shieling hut was included in a desk-based assessment by C Dagg in 2010 for a proposed woodland planting scheme for Shieldaig Farm, in an area to the east of the Badachro River. <2>

179659 871007 Lochan Fuar AMC111: The shieling hut was noted during a visit to the hut circle by A MacInnes in 2010 as part of research by A Welti for a dissertation on hut circles in Wester Ross. This was part of a degree course overseen by Aberdeen University. A probable shieling (4mx2m) is dug in to west side of the interior. <3> <4>

[Note: a database was set up as part of research for the dissertation and was subsequently expanded as an extension of the We Digs Project (see website link below). The full access database can be made available to enquirers/researchers if requested - contact HER for details].

The site was visited by AOC Archaeology Group in 2015 during a walkover survey in advance of the proposed Badachro Hydro Scheme, located between Loch Braigh Horrasdail and the Badachro River near Gairloch. Although within the survey area the hut circle and the shieling hut would not be impacted by the proposed scheme. <5>

The site is visible in vertical aerial photographs. <6>

The site was visited during a walkover survey undertaken by Highland Archaeology Services in 2025 in advance of the upgrading of an existing ATV track. Despite high vegetation levels, the shieling hut was identified on the ground and photographed using a drone. <7>

Sources/Archives (7)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 7965 7101 (10m by 10m)
Map sheet	NG77SE
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	GAIRLOCH

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Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (3)

External Links (1)