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MHG12277 - Hut circle 'A' - Leathad Cruineach

Summary

The hut-circle is oval on plan and measures 9m from E to W by 7.5m.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

Centred on NC 159 440 along a SE-facing hillside, is a settlement of four hut circles (A-D), and a homestead (E) within an extensive associated field system.
'A' measures 8.5m by 7.5m internally and has an entrance in the E on the line of the long axis; the wall is reduced to a peat-covered rubble spread, 2.0m broad by 0.3m high.
'B', levelled back into the slop, is about 8.5m internal diameter. The hut is much depleted, little remaining but a platform with walling residue on the perimeter.
'C' is approximately 10.0m by 8.5m across internally with a probable entrance position in the ESE, on the line of the long axis. The wall survives to a substantial degree in the SE half only, at most-pronounced as a turf and peat-covered rubble band 2.0m broad and 0.2m high.
'D', distinctly elliptical in shape, measures some 15.0m NW-SE by 10.5m overall; an entrance position is no longer discernible. Walling remains are scant.
'E', the homestead, is levelled back into a very slight slope and is oval in plan. It measures approximately 13.5m by 9.5m internally and has an entrance in the NE on the line of the long axis; a gap in the E quadrant is almost certainly mutilation. The wall is mainly reduced to a peat-covered rubble spread, at best 2.0m broad by 0.3m high, with a stretch of inner facing contiguous slabs in the SW. A sparse band of stones crossing the NW sector of the homestead interior is of uncertain purpose but does suggest later modification.
The field system comprises numerous stone clearance heaps, spaced on average 10.0m to 20.0m apart, occasional lynchets and, E of the homestead, an appreciable length of consumption walling; in the last feature several crude, bothy-type structures have been built. A plot 15.0m by 20.0m was noted.
Surveyed at 1:10,000.
Visited by OS (J M) 15 May 1980.

A hut-circle (OS 'A') and five small cairns, on the lower SE-facing slopes of Cno na Caorach Glaise, were recorded during a pre-afforestation survey of Scourie and Badcall common grazings. The hut-circle is oval on plan and measures 9m from E to W by 7.5m. It is levelled into the slope on the N and has a 1.2m high embankment on the downhill side. The turf-clad stony banks are up to 2.5m wide and 0.3m high and there is an entrance on the E. On the slope below the hut-circle, there are five small cairns measuring up to 0.5m in diameter and 0.5m in height. <1>

NGR adjusted based on 1999-2001 vertical aerial photographs. <2>

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 1571 4377 (26m by 25m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC14SE
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	EDDRACHILLIS

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