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MHG11554 - Farmstead - Creagan Mor

Summary

A late 18th or early 19th century farmstead built during the improvement of Kintradwell Farm.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

NC90NW 31 916 082.

Centred at NC 916 082: Footings of two rectangular buildings were recorded at the W edge of this area, one of which had already been plotted by the OS.
That to the W was largely grass-covered and measured c.18m long by c.5.8m wide across its walls, which were spread to c.1m and stood less than 0.3m high. There was no obvious entrance, but there was an internal division at its E end creating an area c.4m square within the walls.
That immediately to E was buried under a large clump of gorse. It measures c.11.5m long by 5m wide across its walls, which were spread to c.0.8m and stood c.0.3m high. No entrance could be seen because of the gorse, but there was an internal division at its E end creating an area c.2.5m by 3.2m within the walls.
This latter structure abutted a low enclosure wall, which defined an area to the S and E of these structures. The wall was partly grass-covered, spread to c.1.5m wide and stood c.0.3m high.
Within the E half of the enclosure was another rectangular structure. Its low stone walls, spread to c.0.75m and c.0.2m high, defined an area c.11m long and c.5.5m wide. The W side of the structure survived to c.0.4m in height and was abutted by a grass-covered corn-drying kiln. Its circular kiln was c.1m in diameter, internally, with a straight flue c.3m long and 0.6m wide. The remains of a low irregular wall ran W-wards from this structure.
Across the hill slope above the farmstead are a few small cairns, generally about 3m in diameter and 0.3m in height.
J Harden 1991; NMRS MS/626/6. <1>

This site is described in a report on a field survey by Headland Archaeology Ltd in 1999. Careful inspection of the area revealed only a few small cairns no more than 40m from the north side of the enclosure. The extent of the cairns was surveyed and is depicted on a site plan in the report. Records show that the farmstead was built between 1772 and 1820 and probably shortly before 1820, during the improvement of Kintradwell farm. It was abandoned before the Ordnance Survey 1st edition survey of 1872. <2>

A desk-based assessment and walkover survey were carried out by CFA Archaeology in 2019 in advance of a proposed wind farm development at Kintradwell, Sutherland. No structures are depicted on the 1st or 2nd edition Ordnance survey maps (Sutherland 1879, sheet XCVIII; Sutherland 1909, sheet XCVIII) though a rectangular enclosure, which is associated with the Kintradwell field systems, is depicted. This enclosure is shown on current Ordnance Survey map (2019) while a polygonal enclosure is also depicted to the north, both of which can be seen on the current aerial photographs (Google Earth, 2019). Field survey confirmed the remains of a number of clearance cairns (7A-D) two structures (7E and F) and a field wall (7G). Much of the area was covered in dense gorse, particularly the areas of archaeological remains, which concealed their form. An argo track runs through the area, which has caused disturbance to the archaeological features.

The structures (7E and 7F) were almost completely obscured by gorse. Structure 7E was circular, with the northern wall visible, comprising a stone and earthen bank that stood 0.3m high. It was around 5m exterior diameter and appeared to be a hut circle or a sheiling. Structure 7F was almost entirely covered in dense gorse. It was difficult to characterise the remains. Note that the surveyed area for 7F indicates the spread of gorse rather than the limit of the building, as the building itself was inaccessible. The field bank (7G) was in fair/poor condition and appeared to be of earth and stone construction. It stood to a height of 0.1m and was 1m wide. It had been damaged by a vehicle track.

The clearance cairns (7A-D) were grass covered:
7A: 6m x 3m, 0.3m high.
7B: 3m x 2m, 0.7m high.
7C (possible clearance spread): 2m x 2m, 0.1-0.2m high.
7D (possible clearance cairn): 3m x 3m, 0.5m high. <3>

Sources/Archives (4)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 91606 08201 (184m by 160m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC90NW
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	LOTH

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (3)

External Links (1)