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MHG6610 - Souterrain - Suisnish, Raasay

Summary

A souterrain in the former settlement of Suisnish on Raasay.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A souterrain in the former settlement of Suisnish on Raasay.

A little to the south of Suishnish House is an erd-house, beautifully chiselled out of the Jurassic shales and lintelled with the local granite. <1>

Lying on an E-facing slope amongst the ruinous structures of Suishnish at about 30m OD are the ruinous remains of a small souterrain. The collapsed entrance faces E and opens onto a small hollow conatining a burn. A shallow sink 5m W of the entrance may indicate the line of the passage.
Visited by M Nicolson, March 1991.
R Miket et al 1991; NMRS MS/530.

The site was included in a discussion and in an inventory of souterrains on Skye by R Miket. Lying on an east-facing slope amongst the ruinous structures of the deserted settlement of Suishnish are the ruinous remains of a small souterrain. The collapsed entrance faces to the east and opens onto a small hollow containing a burn. A shallow sink 5m to the west of the entrance may indicate the line of the gallery. <2>

The feature was recorded during a survey by ACFA in 2005 of the townships of Suishish and South Fearns. Approximately 15m northeast of Feature 36 a hollow area 2.50m x 1.80m faces on to a sharp change of slope. At the west end of this hollow are two holes with large stones and some slumped earth between them. This may have been the entrance to the souterrain or, alternatively, the.entrance may have been at the face of the slope at the east end and the stones and earth may be evidence of collapse of the tunnel. To the west of this hollow is a scoop 3.10m east-west by 2m north-south and 0.50m deep which is thought to be a continuation of the collapsing tunnel. At the west end of this a slightly raised length of turf, 7m x 1.30m runs away north-westwards. It is not clear if this is part of the souterrain or not. <3>

The site was assessed by Archaeological and Ancient Landscape Survey in 2008. <4> Report awaited.

The site was included in the ARCH Broadford Community Timeline Project. <5>

Sources/Archives (7)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 5557 3484 (40m by 40m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG53SE
Geographical Area	SKYE AND LOCHALSH
Civil Parish	PORTREE

Finds (0)

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Related Investigations/Events (1)

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