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MHG29536 - Kerb cairn - Tairbeart

Summary

Multi-period use of the site and material, possibly spanning several millennia.

Type and Period (4)

Protected Status

Full Description

An archaeological walkover survey of a single, distinct area of proposed planting of natural woodland regeneration was carried by M. Wildgoose at Coille an Torran, Raasay in 1999.

Site 12: Lying just to the north of a small burn, and only 2.0m outwith the boundary of the proposed Woodland Grant Scheme is a complex site consisting of several structures one on top of another. The latest structure on the site appears to be a small dry-stone bothy. This lies on the ruins of a multi-cell shieling, which in turn lies on and within the remains of a 12.0m diameter hut circle. Although this site lies outwith the proposal its closeness to the boundary leaves it vulnerable to fencing activities. <1>

Raasay Survey 2000. Site 39: Lying between two low rock outcrops, to the south of the path to Fladda, on the north bank of a small bum, this is one of the more enigmatic sites of the survey. First impressions are of a robbed out cairn, but, on closer examination, there has clearly been multi-period use of the site and material, possibly spanning several millennia. The drawing shows the possible separate features. The drawing at the top of the sheet illustrates the presently visible outline of a possible kerb cairn, almost oval in shape with a structure built onto it. There is no evidence of a burial chamber but, as is suggested in the middle drawing, this would probably be under the final phase structure. In the northwest quadrant two short lines of stones at right angles indicate a possible rectangular structure or the remains of burial cists. An alternative interpretation of the earliest structure is that it could be a Late Bronze Age hut circle, about 10m in internal diameter.

Dug into the south side of the cairn material (westerly feature in lower drawing) is an irregularly shaped structure, possibly an early shieling or shelter. Measuring 2.50m by 4.50m it utilises some of the earthfast stones of the putative cairn/hut circle. With the lack of structure to the southeast, this could have been the site of the entrance.
The final period of use of the site was on the summit of the cairn where there are the well-preserved remains of a small bothy. Standing to a maximum height of 0.60m this measures 1.70m by 1.60m internally. Some of the larger flat stones used in the bothy construction could possibly have been stones from a cist or cap stones from a chamber. <2>

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 5961 4983 (23m by 22m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG54NE
Geographical Area	SKYE AND LOCHALSH
Civil Parish	PORTREE

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (3)

Related Investigations/Events (2)

External Links (1)