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MHG39455 - Shieling and enclosure - Carn Nam Muc

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ND04NE 7 0988 4532.
Carn nam Muc (NAT) OS 6" map, (1963)

On exposed crest of a low ridge, surrounded by ill-defined, heather-covered moorland is a turf-covered circular enclosure enclosed within a rectilinear bank. The enclosure is about 6m in internal diameter, delimited by a near-contiguous inner face of slabs on edge standing up to 0.5m high. One stone projects radially from inner face into stone-strewn interior. The face is backed by a rubble bank spread to 4m wide and 0.5m high. No certain entrance is apparent although it may have been in WSW. The largely heather-covered enclosing stony bank is 21.5 by 19m internally, and spread to an average of 1m and 0.4m high; there is no clearly-defined entrance. It overlies circular enclosure on their common E side. A small rectangular footing, 5 by 3m, in the nature of a shieling, occurs in SE corner of rectilinear enclosure. The date and purpose of circular enclosure are unknown, although remains pre-date overlying enclosure and shieling-like footing which are early-modern. Close by to E in heather are two small amorphous grass patches formed by unspecified ground disturbance. There is no indication of a cairn as OS name "Carn nam Muc" suggests.
Revised at 1:10560. Visited by OS (J B) 17 March 1982.

Unlike majority of enclosures found in proximity to shielings which tend to be small, of slight build and frequently turf-built, this particular circular enclosure displays some features typical of a hut circle, ie. a well-built inner face of slabs on edge and a relatively thick stone wall. The interior is not perfectly circular, but this may be due in part to displacement of stone forming inner face. There are no clearance heaps or evidence of a field pattern in vicinity.
On balance, the round enclosure would seem to be a hut circle, re-used in post-medieval times.
Visited by OS (N K B) 27 April 1982.

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Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred ND 0987 4532 (32m by 41m)
Map sheet	ND04NE
Civil Parish	HALKIRK
Geographical Area	CAITHNESS

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