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MHG46057 - Boulder Shelters - Uamh an Oir 2

Summary

Boulder shelters were recorded during the Scotland's First Settlers Project.

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

Recorded between May and September 2002 as part of the Scotland's First Settlers Project and the Sea Loch Survey.
NG 9099 5563 Uamh an Oir 2 Group of boulder shelters, shovel pitted
Sponsors: HS, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, British Academy
K Hardy and C R Wickham-Jones 2002

A walkover survey and desk-based assessment was undertaken by J Wordsworth and J Harden at Torridon for the National Trust for Scotland in 1996-2002.

In a natural rockfall a large cave has been formed measuring c5m long NNE/SSW and up to c6m wide. The roof rises sharply from the floor to an apex c4m high. There may have been some deliberate infilling at the north. The entrance is from the south and drystone walling has been constructed to constrict this. The floor is a dark grey silt rich in both peat and wood charcoal fragments. A few fragments of ?Victorian-style porcelain are also evident.

To the SE, but separate from the first cave, is another chamber with drystone walling measuring c3m by c2m with walls c1.5m high and c0.4m wide. This appears to have a paved floor. A third area of blackened soil to the south may be a cooking area. Locally described as the site of an illicit still (of E Beaton Guide to Torridon& Murdoch MacDonald's book) there is no reason why this might not have also been a domestic site. Possibly used in prehistoric times? Access to the site is potentially dangerous and should not be encouraged. <1>

Note: Site not visible on aerial photographs so location based on grid coordinates. (TB 22/9/25)

Note; the NGR for the SFSP site appears to be incorrect based on APS. (TB 22/9/25)

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 9099 5575 (42m by 42m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG95NW
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	APPLECROSS

Finds (0)

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Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (1)