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MHG66544 - Terrace - Inver (Inbhire), Raasay

Summary

A row of connected structures along the main shore of Inbhire bay, just above the high water mark and tucked in under the cliffs.

Type and Period (3)

Protected Status

Full Description

A township comprising nine unroofed buildings, one of which is a long building, an enclosure and a length of wall is depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Inverness-shire, Isle of Skye 1879, sheet xxx). Six unroofed buildings are shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10000 map (1988).
Information from RCAHMS (SAH) 4 November 1996

The survey of Balachuirn, Balmeanach, Brae, Inbhire (Inver on OS 1:10,000 map) and the surrounding area was carried out by ACFA in April 1996 as part of a continuing programme of recording the physical remains of human activity on the island of Raasay.

Inver Part 1. A row of connected structures along the main shore of Inbhire bay, just above the high water mark and tucked in under the cliffs

Feature 1 . Structure. The most easterly compartment is rectangular, measuring 9.4 m by 4 m (internally) with rounded corners and survives to a height of 0.5 m. There is an entrance on the north side, facing the bay, 6 m from the north east corner. The rear, or south, wall is recessed into the slope. At the south east comer, 1.2 m from the actual corner, a stretch of walling 2 m in length closes the gap between the building and the cliff face.

Feature 2 . Structure. The second compartment is similar to the first but slightly narrower, the front wall being a continuation of the wall of the first compartment. In fact the range seems to have been built as a piece, given that the front wall is clearly on one alignment, and the three compartments are of almost the same dimensions, depending on the proximity of the cliff face. Compartment 2 averages 3.2 m in width, given that the cliff is close at this point. At the west end of the second compartment a D- shaped structure has been inserted, 2 m by 2.2 rn, internally, perhaps a kiln for smoking fish. This kiln must have been built after this compartment had ceased to perform its primary function.

Feature 3. Structure. The third compartment is similar to the other two, 9.4 m by 4 m, but is even more ruinous. The back wall has been taken down and survives as a straggling bank of stones. Beyond this bank, to the south, a stretch of dry stone walling has been constructed, from the south west comer up to the cliff face. This walling is clearly later than the main range of buildings. Beyond this walling, 5 m from it, there is another stretch of walling which revets the bank between the two sides of a cleft in the cliff.

Feature 4. Structure. Compartment 4 is a much altered structure, now 12.5 m in length with an average width of 4.5 m. The "front" wall has large base stones surmounted by a poorly built wall. The walls vary in thickness from 0.8 m to 1 m at the west end and in height reach 1.5 m at the east end and 1.2 mat the west. There is a gap 3.5 m from the north east comer. This may have been an entrance but between that and the corner is slight evidence of a filled entrance in front of which is a hollow 2.5 m by 2.5 m. The 'back' wall has been much altered. At its west end a wall abutting it runs for 5 m south west and stands over 1 m high, leaving a gap 2 m wide at the end of the structure. Opposite this at the north end, a gap of 0.5 m in the 'back wall' 1 m from the corner leads into the enclosure mentioned above formed by the cliffs, stone walls and revetments. It measures 9 m internally and reaches a maximum width of 5 m. Across compartment 4, about 2 m from its eastern gable is a dividing row of stones, 0.6 m wide and one course high.

The purpose of this range of buildings is not obvious but may have been associated with fishing activities on a large scale. <1>

NGR adjusted based on 1999-2001 vertical aerial photographs. <2>

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 5503 4223 (46m by 22m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG54SE
Geographical Area	SKYE AND LOCHALSH
Civil Parish	PORTREE

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