Field Visit

Date July 2008

Event ID 576847

Category Recording

Type Field Visit

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/576847

NM 3520 4184 The islet of Eilean Dioghlum is situated off the NE coast of the island of Gometra. It forms the western shore of the inlet known as Acairseid Mhòr. The site was first noted in 2002 by Geoff Waters, and a more detailed examination was made during a brief return visit in July 2008. A sketch plan was drawn by Sam Scott.

Towards the S end of the islet there are a number of dry stone cellular structures. The remains are mainly on a grassy terrace between the high water line and the rising barren rocky outcrop of the islet, but three or four of the structures are built into the lower crags of the outcrop. Several cells are joined together, and one is built from upright stone slabs. The grassy terrace is divided by transverse dry stone walls, and an adjacent boat naust provided access to Acairseid Mhòr. Further examination of the N end of the grassy terrace may reveal more cellular structures. A date in the first millennium AD may be suggested for this settlement.

Between this cellular settlement and the higher N end of the islet, a dry stone wall cuts across the outcrop to the shore to the NE, effectively demarcating the area where the settlement lies from the rest of the islet. At its W end it is constructed from smallish stones. The NE section is more substantial with large stones up to 1m in length, and signs of wall-tumble at the foot of the rocks above the high water line. It has been carefully constructed between natural rock outcrops. Natural gullies and fissures in the bedrock have been filled in where the wall crosses them. Inside this wall on the N end of the islet is a solitary stone hut circle.

Archive: RCAHMS (intended)

Funder: Abercromby Trust. Dr JN Marshall Memorial Trust

Geoff Waters, Graham Ritchie and Sam Scott (Department of Archaeology, University of Edinburgh), 2008