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MHG18773 - Shieling settlement - Airidh a' Bhraighe

Summary

Two enclosures and a number of huts were recorded by members of Historic Assynt at Airigh a'Bhraighe.

Type and Period (4)

Protected Status

Full Description

'A prominent slope where formerly an old shealing existed...'
Name Book 1878, ref. no 1, 32

The partial remains of an enclosure are depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Sutherland 1878, sheet lxix), but they are not shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10,000 map (1992).
Information from RCAHMS (SAH) 19 October 1995

Two enclosures and a number of huts were recorded by members of Historic Assynt at Airigh a'Bhraighe, a shieling close to Lochinver, which was linked to Inver Farm at the time of Home's Survey. The two enclosures shown on Home's maps are still clearly visible. Low lying parts of the enclosures have relict lazy beds and a northern extension towards Loch Sloc a 'Bhuilg has extensive peat cuttings. The enclosure dykes have steep outer faces and slope up to the top of the dyke on the inside indicating a desire to keep animals out. A number of clusters of shieling huts are to be found scattered across both enclosures. A trackway wind through the site towards the peat cuttings and a possible rock shelter and the ruins of two probable drying kilns were also identified within the area a little to the south of the south of the western enclosure.

3 huts NC 21003 2396, 1 at NC1002 23293, 4 at NC1013 2366 and at each site signs of ruins of earlier huts. Average size 3x2m. Possible 1.4m sub-rectangular stone platform for stack of hay/grain at NC1009 2388. Possible 4x2m rock shelter at NC1027 2380. E Enclosure - several similar huts and possible huts around NC 1023 2376. At NC0997 2392 and elsewhere in the W enclosure signs of probable revetted track way winding up the hillside and heading off towards the peat cuttings by the loch. To the south of the enclosures and closer to the current B869 a possible rock shelter 4x4.5m with wall largely of large bounders fallen from cliff face to north but could have been enhanced. nearby at NC0997 2371 a probable drying kiln with bowl 1.7m across and .8m wide drystone walls built into slope with flue to the SW. Beside it to the NE the possible remains of its predecessor - now just a few large boulders and rocks that outline a 1.3m approx circular space where a bowl could have been and a narrower possible flue to the south. <1>

Sources/Archives (1)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 1016 2392 (460m by 319m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC12SW
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	ASSYNT

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

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