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MHG665012 - House - Balachuirn

Summary

A sub-rectangular structure lying approx southwest-northeast and measuring 8m x 5m.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A township comprising thirteen roofed, three unroofed buildings, four enclosures, some field walls and a head-dyke is depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Inverness-shire, Isle of Skye 1879, sheet xxx). There are three rectilinear plots at the S end of the township which indicates the partial allocation of crofts.
Ten roofed buildings, one of which has an attached enclosure, ten unroofed buildings, four other enclosures, some field walls and the fragmentary remains of a head-dyke are shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10000 map (1988).
Information from RCAHMS (SAH) 31 October 1996

The survey of Balachuirn, Balmeanach, Brae, Inbhire (Inver on OS 1:10,000 map) and the surrounding area was carried out by ACFA in April 1996 as part of a continuing programme of recording the physical remains of human activity on the island of Raasay.

Feature 9. House. A sub-rectangular structure lying approx southwest-northeast and measuring 8m x 5m. Walls are constructed from large boulders with smaller stone infill. The walls are 1m wide and in places are 0.8m high. There is an entrance in the centre of the north wall which measures 1.1m wide. The east wall is much broken down at its central part. The interior is grassy with a certain amount of rubble and rubbish. Extending to the north end of the house for 6m are stones/boulders indicating an extension with an entrance in the centre of the north wall but again broken in the east side and with a grassy interior. There is the possibility of a platform area around the south end of the house with occasional stone visible.

The house lies east of a hillock of 22m x 15m [aligned southwest-northeast] with some field clearance on natural rock outcrop. It has a central depression approx 7m in diameter. In the west slope is a peculiar configuration in the outcrop face where a cleft appears to be artificially enlarged with stone added at the top [see note on feature 17]. <1>

NGR adjusted based on 2010 vertical aerial photographs. <2>

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 5552 4074 (7m by 17m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG54SE
Geographical Area	SKYE AND LOCHALSH
Civil Parish	PORTREE

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