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MHG7646 - Hut circle - The Black Mare's Rock 'A'

Summary

A hut circle at The Black Mare's Rock.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A hut circle at The Black Mare's Rock, originally surveyed by the OS as Hut circle 'A'.

Centred at NG 882 384 on a rugged SE-facing hillside is a settlement of six circular stone-walled houses ('A'- 'F').
'A' measures 12.5m diameter between centres of a wall spread to 2.5m. The ill-defined entrance is in ESE.
'B' is 7m diameter between centres of a wall spread to 2m, with an ill-defined entrance in ESE. A later ruinous construction (c2m diameter) has been built inside house in NE arc against inner face.
'C' is 7.5m diameter between centres of a wall spread to 2.5m. The entrance in E is 1.3m wide.
'D' is 7.5m diameter within a wall 1.3m thick. The inner face of contiguous stones on edge is well preserved in N and W arcs. The ill-defined entrance is in E.
'E', the best preserved, is 6m diameter within a wall 1.4m thick, with entrance in ESE.
'F', in poor state of preservation, 6.5m diameter between wall centres.
In vicinity of houses are a few stone clearance heaps and ruinous walls probably from contemporary cultivation.
Surveyed at 1/2500, 1/10,000. Visited by OS (A A) 31 May 1974.

188106 838669 Black Mares Rock 2 PS005: The hut circle was visited by A Welti and P Swan in 2009 as part of research for a dissertation on hut circles in Wester Ross. This was part of a degree course overseen by Aberdeen University. The circular HC sits on a natural knoll on a gentle slope surrounded by improved land made up of thick bracken and grass. The structure is submerged by bracken, and moss, but some stones and wall facings are visible. A small burn is 10 m downslope. From the site there are panoramic views over land to Loch Carron. Average inner diameter is10.2m, outer diam is 13m, the double skinned wall is 1.4m thick, max height 0.4m. The entrance is definite, facing SW, with internal width 0.8m and external width 1.0m. There are 7 identified HC's in the group; associated HCs are EB003 (300m distant - see MHG57759), EB002 (400m - see MHG57758), AW001 (100m - see MHG57761), PS06 (200m - SEE MHG57762), EB004 (250m - see MHG57760) and JM001 (500m - MHG14042). <1> <2>

[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].

GIS spatial data amended in 2018 to approximate location as shown on 2009 APs. <3>

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 8815 3823 (18m by 18m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG83NE
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	LOCHCARRON

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External Links (2)