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MHG27381 - Settlement - Aultigil

Summary

The settlement of Aultigil.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A farmstead comprising one unroofed, one partially roofed, three roofed buildings and three enclosures and a field-system are depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Inverness-shire 1876, sheet cxlviii). Six unroofed buildings and a field wall are shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10000 map (1974).
Information from RCAHMS (SAH) 22 August 1996

An archaeological assessment was carried out by J G Robertson in 1996 as part of an environmental impact assessment for a proposed Woodland Grant Scheme application. The assessment consisted largely of the detailed study of a single 1988 aerial photograph.

Site 22: Settlement. The settlement of Aultigil, situated in the southeastern corner of the WGS area. Little can be detected from the AP, as this area is covered in woodland. However, a total of six buildings is marked on the OS 1:10,000 Map: a pair of buildings at the head of a small stream, a group of three buildings near the shore and a single isolated building to the East.
Refs: Marked on the OS Map.
Recommendation: Ground inspection and field survey. Buildings should be recorded in detail, including a photographic survey and any agricultural traces should be sought and recorded. Further documentary research may also prove valuable. For example, more detail may be found on the 1st edition of the OS 1:10,560 Map. <1>

A follow-up full walkover survey was conducted by Wordsworth Archaeological Services in 1996.

Site No: 22
Site name: Aultgill
Description:
22/1 NM 6665 746 On the east bank of a burn not shown on the OS map and well above the main settlement at Aultgill, there is a well built drystone structure 4m by 3m and aligned NE/SW. The walls are up to lm high and there is a single entrance to the S. A drystone dyke encloses the burn above this structure. 22/2 NM 6661 7462 To the W of 22/1 is a small enclosure 16m by 4m aligned roughly N/S and formed by blocking a natural gulley.
22/3 NM 6654 7435 Within mature woodland to th east of enclosure 22/ 4 are the possible remains of rig cultivation. A low stone dyke, not recorded on the OS maps lies to the south of the path at this point.
2214 NM 6655 7435 Within this enclosure marked on the earlier OS maps there are substantial stone heaps up to lm high by 5m long by 2m wide. These may only be clearance heaps but they might be prehistoric burial cairns. Extensive bracken growth obscures these features. (See MHG28933)
22/5 NM 6660 743 (centred) Substantial drystone enclosure shown on earlier OS maps.
22/6 NM 6662 7440 2 drystone huts measuring 4m by 3m with walls 1.25m lie at the NE edge of enclosure 22/5. They both have a single doorway and no windows.
22/7 NM 6660 7434 A drystone hut or store 5m by 3.5m with walls 1.25m high and aligned E/W lies to th south of the main house at Aultgill.
22/8 NM 6659 7431 To the S of the main house at Aultgill is a well built drystone structure aligned N/S. It measures 10m by 5m and has rounded corners. It has been altered by having its windows infilled. There is now a doorway to the E and the S, thouugh the latter may not be original. It possibly formed the byre for the house at 22/9. It is sheltered by a large rock to the W and may have been an earlier croft house.
22/9 NM 6660 7431 A substantial two-storied mortar bonded croft house survives here, aligned E/W Measuring llm by 7m with walls 0.5m thick, it had fireplaces on both floors in both gables. The roof raggle at the chimneyhead suggested it had been thatched.
22/10 NM 6662 7431 A small shed 2m square lies to the E of 22/9. A large tree currently used as a mooring point for a canoe grows out of this structure.
22/11 NM 6670 7427 This building was not noted during this survey
Recommendation: Trees growing in proximity to these buildings and overhanging branches should be removed to prevent further damage to these buildings. This work will need to be carried out after consultation with conservation interests. The tree in 22/10, for example, has a fine selection of brachophytes on its trunk. <2>

1st Edition OS 6" <3>

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NM 6658 7444 (274m by 399m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NM67SE
Civil Parish	ARISAIG AND MOIDART
Geographical Area	LOCHABER

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (2)

External Links (1)