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MHG64180 - Field system - Loch Dubh, Arisaig

Summary

Large area of rig and furrow, mostly arranged in very small blocks.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

An archaeological assessment was carried out by J G Robertson in 1996 as part of an environmental impact assessment for a proposed Woodland Grant Scheme application. The assessment consisted largely of the detailed study of a single 1988 aerial photograph.

Site 7. Rig and Furrow:
Large area of rig and furrow, mostly arranged in very small blocks. Every space between rocky knolls seems to have been utilized. These remains may be of relative antiquity: the path, which leads from the Smirisary - Samalaman track to Loch na Bairness appears to cut across some blocks. At least one sinuous wall lies within the cultivation and there may be associated structures. There may also be more rig and furrow further West than indicated on the overlay; feint traces only are visible on the AP.
Refs: One short wall marked on OS Map. Rig and furrow visible on AP. Recomm: Ground inspection; field survey, if necessary of walls and structures. Examine other Aps for further rig and furrow. Trace rig and furrow from enlarged Aps. <1>

A follow-up full walkover survey was conducted by Wordsworth Archaeological Services in 1996.

Site No: 7
Description: A group of rigs are located on a north facing slope to the east of the Allt Ruadh. The eastern boundary of this is defined by a low sinuous turf wall, the area to the east of this being peat cuttings and not rigs as had been suggested by the AP. A low stone wall running on the crest of a low ridge appears to form the southern boundary of this field but this appears to be a late feature as a small area of rig lies beyond this. At NM 6580 7715 there are 3 piles of stones at the south side of the rigs. One, at least of these was probably a store either for tools or crops.
Recommendation: This is the most accessible group ofwell-preserved rigs in that it is bisected by the footpath to Loch na Bairness and it does not involve strenuous climbing to view this field system. The whole field should be preserved because there appears to be a chronology of use. The field also demonstrates the different terrain used to form these rigs. It would be desirable to extend the edge of the LAGS northwards to include the whole field.. This can be achieved by extending the fence to the N of the crag that edges this site (see Fig 1.)
Preservation will require regular weeding to prevent tree regeneration. Until the forest is established there will be no grazing occurring here and there may be a danger of the ground being swamped by rank heather and coarse grasses. This will require monitoring. It might be managed either by the erection of temporary fencing. <2>

NGR adjusted based on 1999-2001 vertical aerial photographs. <3>

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NM 6579 7724 (706m by 382m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NM67NE
Civil Parish	ARISAIG AND MOIDART
Geographical Area	LOCHABER

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (2)

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