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MHG64188 - Field system - Glenuig, Arisaig

Summary

An extensive area of well-preserved rig.

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 17: Rig and Furro. Area of rig and furrow on the western side of the modern road (and WGS boundary). Rig and furrow also continues to the East of the road, beyond the WGS area. Within the cultivation a L-shaped wall encloses a roughly triangular area, but it is not clear how this wall relates to the rig and furrow.
Refs: Wall marked on OS Map. Wall and rig and furrow visible on AP.
Recommendation: Ground inspection - examine relationship of wall to cultivation. Rig and furrow may be recorded from enlarged APs.
<1>

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

Site No: 17.
Site name: Glenuig
Description: An extensive area of well-preserved rig lies here. At the E this lies in a turf banked enclosure, 17/1, now partially truncated by the modern road. Within the main enclosure other enclosure walls , perhaps reflecting earlier subdivisions are shown on the earlier OS maps. They are less obvious on the ground as the area is heavily overgrown with rank heather. The enclosure is heavily overgrown by young birch regeneration such that at least 1/3 of this enclosure is now obscured.
To the W enclosure walls are less obvious, though in places the remains of an enclosure bank can be seen. Within this upper rig area, there is a small jumble of dry stones 17/2 at NM 667 762 that marks the remains of an irregular rounded or oval building 4m in diameter. This building is of interest as prossibly predating the rig system.
Recommendation: Initially, from the AP evidence, this was considered a suitable area of rig to be left open for public display. However the extent of regeneration and the truncation caused by the modern road make this less desirable. It is also a major seed source for regeneration on this side of the WGS. As this is an area planned for natural regeneration and birch is the predominant colonising species, the rig should still survive.
Structure 17/2 should be kept clear of tree growth as it may contain information to aid in the dating of the extension of the rig system to this area. <2>

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

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NM 6681 7614 (460m by 457m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NM67NE
Civil Parish	ARISAIG AND MOIDART
Geographical Area	LOCHABER

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (2)

External Links (0)