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MHG66078 - Settlement area - Talmine, Melness

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Type and Period (4)

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Full Description

A township comprising one unroofed and twenty-five roofed buildings (excluding the 'corn' mill and church) is depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Sutherland 1878, sheet xvi). The township contains five unroofed and thirty-seven roofed buildings (excluding the mill at NC56SE 35) on the current edition OS 1:10,560 map (1962).
Information from RCAHMS (FO) 17 August 1995.

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 a grassy slope above the rock beach on the west side of Talmine Bay and extending south to the north end of the sandy beach lie a cluster of features. Running WNW-ESE for 40 m, is a drainage-ditch. This ditch is 0.45 m wide and runs downslope, with upcast along the south side. To the south of this lies a rectangular scooped area, which may be a yard associated with the now-ruinous house. This scooped area is 3.5 m wide by 6 m long. The demolished house, which lies to the west of the drainage-ditch, was shown on the map prior to demolition, and was originally 9 m N-S by 8 m. To the south of the house are several clearance-cairns, and further south again is a hollow-way or track which appears to lead from the field south of the buildings and runs diagonally across the contour. In this area S of the buildings there are also traces of cultivation which are visible from upslope. Natural erosion downslope, and deliberate levelling of the house, has contributed to the generally poor state of this complex. <1>

Note; The report indicates the demolished house lies west of the drainage ditch. The outline of a house is visible on the Aps and the 2nd Edition OS map to the east of the ditch and immediately south of the junction beside Harben House. (TB 7/8/26)

Sources/Archives (1)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 5857 6302 (69m by 94m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC56SE
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	TONGUE

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