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MHG12019 - Loch Borralie

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Full Description

NC36NE 37 3889 6702.

NC 389 670. Three hut circles, longhouse and two huts with enclosures nearby.
Information contained in letter from T C Welsh, 24 July 1972.

Centred at NC 3889 6702 on a limestone ridge is an enigmatic enclosure, probably the 'three hut circles' noted by Welsh. It is formed by turf-covered rubble walling 0.4m in average height. This walling has spread to 1.5 m to 2.5m wide with little or no evidence of facing stones. The main enclosure is 18.0m SW-NE by 12.5m internally; a small annexe, 5.5m by 4.5m internally, is attached to the SW side. The interior of the main enclosure is subdivided by low scarps and rickles of stones. Some of these interior features, particularly the setting in the W, are probably later intrusions. A gap in the SE is probably the entrance; another entrance may have occurred in the W, the gap now blocked by the intrusive feature.
A much spread, discontinuous field wall appears to spring from the E side of the entrance. It runs SE before curving to the SW to then fade out. This curve of field walling may have been mistakenly identified as a 'hut' by Welsh. The adjacent rectangular longhouse and enclosure are presumably early modern. The enclosure has a later small footing in the NE corner. Nothing further of antiquity was noted in the area.
The date and purpose of the first feature are unknown. It is not a group of three conjoined hut circles, but appears to be a homogeneous unit, possibly a homestead with later intrusions and minor mutilations. Surveyed at 1:10,000.
Visited by OS (J B) 12 May 1980.

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Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 3889 6702 (70m by 70m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC36NE
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	DURNESS

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