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MHG6620 - Shieling huts/possible hut circles - Raasay Forest

Summary

There is a possibility that these might in fact be three small hut circles.

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

On the S-facing slope above Raasay Forest, about 300m NW of North Screapadal, at about 140m OD are the degraded remains of four shielings. The group consists of three double celled shielings and one single celled lying within an area of green grass below low cliffs.
Visited (Anon) 1991.
R Miket et al 1991; NMRS MS/530.

An Archaeological Survey of the townships of North & South Screapadal, with a survey of the surrounding area, on Raasay was undertaken by ACFA in 1997.

ACFA reported a further series of four shielings in 1991 [Site 23] which we were unable to locate at first although the supposed location was identified by reference to a line of substantial boulders which may have formed a boundary or the side of an enclosure. With the previous surveyor we revisited the area and with much searching, found the scant remains of three possible structures. These were located on a south sloping ridge, split into two levels, to the east of a tributary to the Screapadal Burn at about the 140m contour, 100m west of the forest and 300m north west of North Screapadal. The most northerly below some low cliffs, was defined by an oval shaped turf covered bank and measured 5.1m by 2.7m on a north-south axis. At the south end of the top level of the ridge was the second structure, sub-circular, measuring 4.5m by 2.7m. The third was at the south end of the lower)evel and again was sub-circular and measured 4.5m by 2.2m. All appeared to be single cells and there was no evidence of any entrances, neither was there any evidence of the ."D'' shaped sub-chambers reported previously. With the remains limited to turf banks with little stone either in the walls or around the structures there is a possibility that these might in fact be three small hut circles. <1>

Note: Site not visible on aerial photographs so location based on grid reference. (5/10/26)

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 5769 4479 (31m by 30m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG54SE
Geographical Area	SKYE AND LOCHALSH
Civil Parish	PORTREE

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (2)