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MHG7718 - Hut circle - Tollie Wood

Summary

A circular structure in Tollie Wood, originally thought to be a sheepfold but now interpreted as a hut circle.

Type and Period (3)

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Full Description

A circular structure in Tollie Wood, originally thought to be a sheepfold but now interpreted as a hut circle.

A circular enclosure in Tollie Wood, traditionally credited by some to the Druids, although, with other buildings, supposed by others to have been fanks or folds for cattle or sheep.
The enclosure is formed of a rough wall enclosing a regular circle. The wall is made of comparatively small stones which are much scattered. There are several heaps of stones and remains of detached pieces of wall near the circle. <1>

The enclosure at NG 8694 7848, conforms with rough description given above. It is 8m diameter and the much-spread stony bank, 1.5m wide, stands to a maximum height of 0.6m. There is no apparent entrance. The feature has the appearance of a sheep-fold: in the same wood there are the remains of what could have been a small farmstead.
Visited by OS (J T T) 3 October 1964.

186949 878469 Tollie Wood JB601: The hut circle was visited by J Buchanan in 2010 as part of research for a dissertation on hut circles in Wester Ross for A Welti. The circular stone structure is well preserved. 2-3 courses of stone are visible. It is set in a level position on a knoll in a mature oak wood, with walling built up from ground level all round. A tree fall to N exposes 4 courses of walling Several outlying stone structures are attached to outer wall to N, NNW, W. There is a possible extended entrance terminal to W (see sketch). A pond is in sight 70 m downslope. The site is currently used as ritual site in the modern era. Offerings on tree roots (to E 5m) are visible. It may have been such in original use. Stone piles, stone settings, wall lines, and a possible small stone circle, are all in vicinity. A further hut circle, AM601 (see MHG) lies 30m to NE, directly above the pond. This structure is in poor condition. <2> <3>

[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].

NGR adjusted based on measurements from 2010 site visit.

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 8695 7848 (14m by 14m)
Map sheet	NG87NE
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	GAIRLOCH

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