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MHG28031 - Shieling settlement - Allt Loch nan Dearcag

Summary

An extensive group of shieling-huts.

Type and Period (1)

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Full Description

An extensive group of shieling-huts occupying the north side of the Allt Loach nan Dearcag, were noted by J Wordsworth during a pre-afforestation survey. At least nine shieling-huts or associated structures were noted;

Lying to the north of this burn and sheltered from the west by a ridge of rock are the remains of an extensive shieling settlement. The area is covered with patches of mature heather that obscure some of the features and may well hide others so that the full extent of the shieling may not be recorded.
A) On a substantial grassy mound are the remains of a turf walled shieling hut 4m by 2.75m It has extra chambers on the W ( lm diameter), E (4m by lm) and N (not measured) sides. The building is aligned ESE/WSW. The pronounced knoll on which this building is sited suggests there have been a sequence of buildings here. The extra chambers may have been connected with the production of cheese and butter, the mainstay of shieling life.
B) 7m E from (a) is another turf walled building 4m by 2.5m. It is partially overgrown with long heather making it more difficult to see. It is aligned NNE/SSW.
C) 6m SE from (a) is a drystone building also aligned NNE/SSW. It is 6m by 4m with the entrance in the S end. A stretch of drystone wall runs for at least 3m to the NE from the SE corner. This is most probably an animal pen or milking shed
d) A large boulder lies c3m W of building (a) and utilising this are the remains of a small
drystone structure 2m by 1.5m. This is a small store of undefined function.
E) 16m S of structure © are the remains of a dyke at least 40m long. The first 10m are built of drystone and the rest of turf or eart. This seals the end of a small gulley and was presumably used to pen animals in connection with structure ©.
F) Not especially obvious on Fig 2, are the remains of a drystone wall running SE downslope from a large rock between structures (a) & (g). This may have been turf capped as it possibly continues across the knoll to the S being visible as a differential growth of heather. If this is correct it possibly linked with wall € to make an enclosure.
G) A patch of grassland some 5m by 3m probably marks the site of another shieling. As the ground has been badly disturbed by animal burrows in the past (?rabbit) the dimensions of the building are not clear.
H) clOOm NE of building (a) is another turf walled shieling 4.5m by 2m aligned NE/W. Stone footings from 0.4-0.6m wide are evident on the W side. A small drystone store as (d) lies to the W of this building. Between (h) & (i) there is a small hollow with a pile of stones. This may be the remains of another structure.
i) Sited on another small grassy knollas seen on Fig 2, are the probable remains of another shieling. Unfortunately the dimensions and orientation of this feature were not recorded. It appeared similar to the others. <1>

NGR adjusted based on 2014 vertical aerial photographs. <2>

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Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NH 3436 5802 (286m by 208m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NH35NW
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	CONTIN

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