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MHG11033 - Hut circle, Cnoc Airigh an Leathaid

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GR corrected to most N of huts, others recorded separatley - HAW 3/2004

NC73SW 6 702 332.
(Centred NC 702 332) Enclosures (NR) (Centred NC 702 330) Enclosures (NR) (Centred NC 700 328) Enclosures (NR)
OS 6"map, (1963)

Nine circular enclosures, probably hut circles found during field investigation on an east-facing slope.
Visited by OS (E G C) 15 May 1961.

This is a settlement of nine hut circles ('A'-'J'), all with simple entrances, and the remains of a minor field system. 'A', slightly scooped into the hillside, is 10m in diameter within a wall exhibiting noticeably more stones than the other huts. The wall is 0.4m high and generally 1.2m wide enlarging to 1.7m at the entrance in the SE. 'B'-'D' are similar, all being scooped slightly into the slope. They range in size from 13m SE-NW by 11m down to 8.5m SE-NW by 7.5m within low turf-covered walls spread up to 2m. The entrances are in the SE. 'E'-'H' lie within an area of afforestation and a number have been damaged by ploughing.
'E' has been built up onto the slope on SE side. It measures 10m in diameter within the indefinite remains of a wall. The entrance is in E. The hut has been preserved from forestry ploughing except for a drainage ditch which bisects it.
F' and 'G' are alike and are the largest and most striking huts of the group. They have been set into the slope in W and measure c13m diameter within walls up to 0.7m high and spread to 2.5m. Both are virtually undamaged by ploughing.
'H' is seen as a platform built up in the E. It measures 11m in diameter within a vague wall best defined in the W where it is spread to 2m. The entrance is in the S.
'J' has been mutilated by ploughing and planting; it survives as a platform about 11.5m in overall diameter.
The field system is defined by scattered clearance heaps, only well preserved over an area of some 4.5 hectares outside the afforestation. Inside the wood, occasional destroyed heaps can be seen. Whether all heaps within the shieling enclosure of NC73SW 18 are contemporary with the huts is uncertain.
Revised at 1/10,000. Visited by OS (J B) 5 April 1977.

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Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 7015 3306 (329m by 445m) (11 map features)
Map sheet	NC73SW
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	FARR

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