Print

MHG9437 - Hut circles - Morvich Farm

Summary

Hut circles at Morvich Farm.

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

NC70SE 11 759 011.

('C' - NC 7593 0109 'D' - NC 7592 0101) Hut Circles (NR)
OS 1:10,000 map, (1970)

NC 759 011 A settlement of four huts ('A'-'D'), within a contemporary field system well marked by stone clearance heaps. There are also vestiges of field walls, which seem of a similar date but may be in association with depopulated settlement lying just to the SW (OS {RDL}). Hut dimensions are between centres of walls, overgrown except for 'B', the best preserved, which has a cons- picuous wall of bare stone. Discovered during field investigation, 'A' is 12.0m WSW-ENE by 11.0m. The probable entrance is in WSW.
Found during recent field investigation, 'B' is 10.5m in diameter. The entrance is not evident.
'C' is 12.0m in diameter. The entrance is in the SE.
'D' is 9.5m in diameter. The entrance is in the S.
Resurveyed at 1:10,000.
Visited by OS (R D L) 15 April 1964 and (J M) 15 July 1975.

A DBA and walkover survey was carried out by Wordsworth Archaeological Services in 1997 advance of a proposed woodland grant scheme at Morvich, Sutherland.

Site 1/2; A - A roundhouse as previously described, 12m in diameter, lies at the western edge of a former field system. B - Roundhouse as previously defined, 10.5min diameter, showing as a prominent feature in the landscape due to recent heather burning. It lies to the NE of a substantial field system. C - Roundhouse as previously described, 12m in diameter. It lies on the SE edge of an extensive field system. D - Roundhouse as previously described, 9.5m in diameter. Two hut circles are shown on the 1:2,500 map supplied but only one could be recognised on the ground and only one is recorded here in the SMR. Various level terraces nearby may mark the site of former fields or platforms for other structures. No clearance cairns are visible in the immediate locality (see Site 1/6 below). 20m to the southwest is a short stretch of field wall defined as a line of boulders. (Another unrecorded structure lies just outside the boundary and to the east of the burn measuring 6m by 3m.)

Clearance cairns in long heather define an area of probable prehistoric cultivation 200m by 150m., lying between roundhouse sites. <1>

Sources/Archives (1)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 7588 0110 (317m by 301m) (3 map features)
Map sheet	NC70SE
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	GOLSPIE

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Investigations/Events (0)

External Links (1)