View of cattle court (NC 5324 1487) from S, with stable behind wooden wall See MS/744/102/1, 2, 3, item 11

Description View of cattle court (NC 5324 1487) from S, with stable behind wooden wall See MS/744/102/1, 2, 3, item 11

Date 17/8/1995

Collection Scottish Farm Buildings Survey

Catalogue Number C 61102

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 738265

Scope and Content Cattle court interior, Shinness Steading, Highland Shinness Steading was built on the huge Sutherland estate which, by 1873, comprised almost 1.3m acres, more than 90% of the county. Shinness was originally a sheep farm, but between 1872 and 1877, the land was drained to create four new arable farms and in 1882 new buildings were erected at Shinness itself. This is the interior of the covered cattle court seen from the south, showing the wooden wall of the adjoining stable. A corrugated iron roof was specified in 1882, but replaced in the 1920s by the present sheet metal one following a bad storm. At the far end can be seen part of the original feeding bins which would have held hay or straw for the cattle. In a report prepared for James Loch in 1848, it was suggested that about 500 acres of land at Dalchork, on Loch Shin, could be drained to create good corn land. It was concluded that there, 'could be made a very desirable arable farm of sharp soil.' Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

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