Archaeology Notes

Event ID 693448

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/693448

NO79SW 12 744 909 to 752 912

Four hut-circles are situated within an extensive group of cairns and field-banks which straddles the crest of the hill known as the Ord. The hut-circles are at:-

1. NO 7465 9095: measuring 9m from E to W by 8m transversely within a stony bank up to 2.3m thick and 0.4m high. The interior is levelled into the slope on the E, where the bank is reduced to a stony scarp 0.4m high, and the entrance is on the W.

2. NO 7480 9098: measuring 8m from N to S by 7.5m transversely within a stony bank 2m thick and 0.3m high. There are gaps in the bank on the SSE and NNW.

3. NO 7483 9095: measuring 9.5m in diameter within a stony bank up to 2.5m thick and 0.6m high. The hut-circle has been ploughed for forestry and the position of entance is unclear.

4. NO 7489 9100: measuring 9m from E to W by 8m transversely within a stony bank up 2.2m thick and 0.5m high. The interior is probably levelled into the slope on the NW and the entrance is on the SE. It has been ploughed for forestry.

At least 580 cairns are scattered over an area of 19ha around the hut-circles; they vary between 2m and 6m in diameter and are up to 0.8m in height. Amongst them there are several massive field-banks up to 3m thick, the majority of which occur running along the crest of the hill crosses the site from ENE to WSW and the area to the S of the fence has been ploughed for forestry.

Aberdeen Archaeological Surveys 1979; RCAHMS 1984, visited March 1984.

Visible on air photographs AAS/93/15/G29/18-23. Copies held by Grampian Regional Council.

Information from M Greig, Grampian Regional Council, March 1994.

(Location cited as NO 7490 9110: nominated as Site of Regional Significance). Air photography and field survey have recorded at least two hut-circles with many stone clearance-heaps and banks on a ridge at an altitude of 180m OD. The circles measure between 8m and 9.5m in diameter, and the cairns (which are very pronounced in the heather) between 2m and 6m. The clearance-heaps have been used as grouse-butts.

[Air and ground photographic imagery listed].

NMRS, MS/712/35, visited 26 March 1980.