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MHG29516 - Bothy and Well - Tairbeart

Summary

A number of small stone structural remains amongst the heavily strewn loose stone, including the two features interpreted as bothies.

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

Raasay Survey 2000. Site 19: A fairly steep gully, running southwards down the west flank of Creag na Gaoithe, leads to the only feasible landing place on this stretch of coast. In and on the east bank of the section of gully 10m to 70m from the shore there are a number of small stone structural remains amongst the heavily strewn loose stone, including the two features interpreted as bothies.The highest [A] at about 40m OD is a well built rectangular structure with its west, back wall revetted into the hillside. Measuring 1.60m by 1.50m internally, the 0.50m thick walls stand to 1.20m high. On the east side there is a 0.80m wide entrance, but no evidence of windows or internal features. The walls are well faced and double skinned with larger stones as cross ties.

About 20m to the south is an almost identical but freestanding structure [B]. Again 1.60m by 1.50m internally with an entrance on the east side, 0.70m wide, the walls are as well built as [A] and stand to 0.60m high. Further down, several small clearance cairns indicate an attempt at improvement for cultivation. Near the shore, a 1.60m length of walling beside a 1.50m wide platform suggests the possible remains of a building [C], but these are too vague for identification. In the centre of the gully, some 25m further to the south, is a small well or cistern [ID], where a stone cowling has been built over a natural spring. The structure consists of a transverse sill 0.20m high and two parallel side walls 0.50m apart and 0.60m high with 2-3 courses of stone, bridged over by lintel stones. The structure merges into the natural slope at the back, while at the front south, down slope, end there is an access opening approximately 0.50m wide and 0.50m high. Nearer the sea several small clearance cairns on the east bank of the gully suggest an attempt at improvement for cultivation and below these still, on the east bank of the gully where it is predominantly rocky, there is a short isolated section of walling, 1.60m long, 0.50m high set transversely but without obvious function.

The site as a whole, considered together with Feature 20, is interpreted as originally an early 19th century shieling which has subsequently been developed for marginal cultivation in response to population pressure at Arnish (compare with Feature 13). Following clearance in the mid-19th century the site is interpreted as having remained in use by shepherds who maintained the bothies. Use of the site as a landing place for small boats is a possibility not ruled out though unattended mooring would hardly be practical and boats would need to be lifted well up the gully, clear of tide and waves. <1>

Sources/Archives (1)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 6003 4766 (30m by 30m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG64NW
Geographical Area	SKYE AND LOCHALSH
Civil Parish	PORTREE

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (2)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (1)