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MHG28574 - Farmstead headyke - Loch Poll

Summary

The line of an old head-dyke encloses the nucleus of an early farmstead at its southern end.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A rapid pre-afforestation survey by Headland Archaeology Ltd, was undertaken in 1997 at Cona Chreag on the Stoer Common Grazings, near Lochinver.

This is an extensive and structurally diverse settlement. It comprises elements of stone and stone-and-turf construction and structures and enclosures of various sizes. The presence of a substantial head-dyke (Site 4a), lazy-bed cultivation (Site 4i), areas of adjacent (and presumably contemporary) peat-cutting and possibly corn-drying (Site 4d) clearly imply that this is unlikely to represent the remains of a shieling settlement. The evidence of the clearance cairns (Sites 2, 4b, 4 c & 4f) and the adjacent areas of old pasture would point to the same conclusion. The place-name evidence, presumably preserved in the loch name, Loch Poll, would also suggest that the settlement is possibly of some antiquity. Derived from the Old Norse bolstadr (farm), and preserved in its Gaelic-Scandinavian hybrid form (boll /poll /pool / bo), the name remained a creative name-forming element for a considerable time and was used wherever permanent settlements were formed by the Norse: Nicolaisen (1976, 92), for example, has considered the bolstadr distribution as 'the map of Norse settlement in the Northern and Western Isles and adjacent mainland when such settlement was at its most extensive and Norse power at its height'. The settlement remains on the side of Loch Poll, potentially, have a very early origin indeed. The date of its abandonment is not known, although a clearance-period date might be assumed.

Site 4a: Head-dyke. The line of an old head-dyke extends from a rock outcrop near the shore of Loch Poll, passes along the lower north-east facing slopes of Cona Chreag and encloses the nucleus of an early farmstead at its southern end. In its middle course, to the north-west of the settlement, the dyke utilises and extends between a series of natural rock outcrops. Clearly identifiable entrances through the dyke are located in the area of the 'dog-leg' between Sites 4d and 4j, to the south of the lazy beds (Site 4i) and mid-way along its eastern side. The dyke is constructed of stone and turf and stands up to 1.3 m where best preserved to the south. It is 0.8 - 1.2 m wide.
Condition: Although partially collapsed in places, the dyke nonetheless is well defined and clearly visible. Vegetation cover on the monument is predominantly heather, with occasional bracken. <1>

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 0998 2980 (465m by 464m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC02NE
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	ASSYNT

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (1)