Print

MHG9491 - Farmstead - Kyle of Durness

Summary

In addition to the rectangular building and enclosure and corn-drying kiln described, there are a number of additional features at this site.

Type and Period (3)

Protected Status

Full Description

NC 3733 6574. The remains of a rectangular building are situated on a small plateau (approx 100ft OD) overlooking the Kyles of Durness. The building measures 26m by 4.5m and is divided into four compartments, the extreme W and the extreme E compartments probably being for stock. The walls, of rough stone, stand to an average height of 0.2m and are 0.7m thick. There are possible entrances to the two central compartments in the S wall. A low bank of earth and stone forms a roughly shaped enclosure, some 4m by 9m, abutting on to the E end of the building.
NC 3740 6560. About 150m SSE of the above site are the remains of a crude D-shaped building, measuring 5.2m by 3.0m, divided into two compartments. The rough stone walls stand to a height of 0.8m and are 0.8m wide. The S end of this building is rounded.
Visited by OS (W D J) 8 April 1960.

These early modern remains are as described by the previous field investigator. The structure to the SSE, at NC 3742 6558 is a corn-drying kiln. (See also NC36NE 65).
Visited by OS (J B) 1 May 1980.

A rapid coastal zone assessment survey was conducted by GUARD in the Autumn of 1997 commissioned by Historic Scotland from the Viking and Early Settlement Archaeological Research Project based at the University of Glasgow.

Located on sloping ground between the rocky cliff shore-line and a rock escarpment in the hinterland, the structures at this site are as described in the NMRS after site visits by OS in 1960 (WDJ) and in 1980 (JB). In addition to the rectangular building and enclosure and corn-drying kiln described, there are a number of additional features at this site. On the heather and grassed slope at the SW of the building there are at least 15 separate `lazy beds' visible running NE-SE in an area of strip-cultivation. Immediately west of the building are two large stone-heaps, presumably representing clearance from the cultivation-area. There are further slight traces of cultivation-marks on the slopes at the south of this settlement. The area of this settlement is now under heavy heather-and-bracken cover which obscures much of the detail. <1>

Sources/Archives (1)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 3737 6567 (115m by 197m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC36NE
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	DURNESS

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (2)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (1)