Publication Account

Date 2012

Event ID 1148190

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Publication Account

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1148190

Despite being one of the most isolated and inaccessible of the South Uist cairns, this monument has been severely robbed. At least six buildings have been built into or are adjacent to the monument. The most substantial of these structures is located in the forecourt. It is rectangular, approximately 4m by 2.60m, and might have had an east-facing entrance. Another well-preserved building lies in the southern part of the cairn. It is 2.50m square and placed adjacent to a third structure approximately 1.80m by 2.50m. They have south- and north-facing entrances respectively. The fourth structure lies to the west and is only 1.10m by 0.90m with no obvious entrance. The fifth and sixth structures are both found to the north of the cairn and are too badly preserved to define.

A substantial amount of cairn material survives to the north and west but there is little around the chamber area or in the forecourt where several kerb stones can be identified. Henshall (1972: 517) located 14 stones in the peristalith, but we were able to identify at least 16 stones during our visit. The majority of the kerb stones were identified on the west side of the cairn. The kerb stones define a roughly circular cairn that measures approximately 20m in diameter. Six upright stones define a funnel-shaped forecourt facing east. Four of these stones are marked on the original plan by Henshall but for some reason she did not accept a stone on the northeast corner as marking the northern end of the forecourt. There seems no reason not to accept this stone as it mirrors a very similar stone that marks the southeast corner. The forecourt is U-shaped, approximately 3.80m wide where it meets the edge of the cairn. Halfway into the forecourt two opposing stones indicate it is 2.65m wide. Two slabs set just in front of the entrance to the passage are set 0.70m apart. The passage from the forecourt to the chamber is clearly defined by two longitudinal stones set opposite one another, again at a distance of 0.70m.

The passage appears to be roughly 2.30m in length but it is difficult to precisely define the beginning of the passage owing to the presence of a large stone that may be a displaced lintel. The chamber is roughly circular, defined by six orthostats (although Henshall identified eight) and is approximately 4m in diameter. A very prominent orthostat provides a distinctive backstone to the chamber. Many other large slabs found in and around the chamber may be collapsed corbel stones. One large slab in the centre of the chamber area may be a capstone. Three grooves on the edge of the capstone suggest it has been broken up during the recent destruction of the cairn.

Cummins, Henley and Sharples 2012, visited 1997-1999