Archaeological Survey and Evaluation of Eilean Chalium Chille and the Putative Site of the Seaforth Head Castle

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Date 2003

Event ID 963668

Category Project

Type Project

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/963668

Archaeological Survey and Evaluation of Eilean Chalium Chille and the Putative Site of the Seaforth Head Castle; field survey carried out by Northamptonshire Archaeology in 2003.

People and Organisations

Related Event(s)

Event	Type	Subtype	Notes	Date
970871	RECORDING	FIELD VISIT	"Situated at the highest point on the Eilean Croix at the eastern end of Eilean Chalium Cille this cairn measures 1.1 metres in diameter and stands to a height of 1.6 metres. The form and location are absolutely typical of navigation cairns seen all around the shores of Lewis, and of such cairns identified in the Eilean Chalium Cille area (8) this is by far the best example. While dating such a structure is impossible, it is clear from the state of the turf growth surrounding the feature and the moss/lichen growth on the stones that it has stood, largely unchanged, for some considerable time. The other possibility that has also to be considered is that this cairn, or another structure on the same site, was once the base for a religious cross. The island on which it stands is named Eilean Croix - Island of the Cross, or Cross Island. Furthermore, the location of this island is significant, being at the eastern end of Eilean Chalium Cille. Any cross located at this point would be clear in all but the worst weather to anybody approaching the mouth of Loch Erisort and as such would have announced the location of the putative monastery that is thought to have stood on, or close to the site of the current Chapel of St Columba (15.3)." (Burgess 2003, 97)	2003
970730	RECORDING	FIELD VISIT	"This small utilised natural island is located 40 metres from the east shore of Loch Oigheabhat. It measures 15 metres north to south and 10 metres west to east and stands a maximum of 3 metres above the loch surface. While some natural bedrock can be seen at its southern end much of its shore seems to have been reinforced with deliberately built up rubble. A thin soil has developed on the interior of the island and is supporting the growth of a number of small trees and bushes. A submerged causeway runs from the east shore of the loch, consisting of natural boulders apparently augmented with more deliberately placed rocks. The causeway is too fragmentary to cross and no access was gained to the site. This island appears on the current (and earlier) Ordnance Survey maps." (Burgess 2004, 17-18)
970738	RECORDING	FIELD VISIT	"The bridge is situated on the line of the early 20th century single track road where it crosses Abhainn na Muilne. It is built in the medieval clapper style, but is likely to be either of recent construction or to have been modified when the single track road was tarmacked in the 1920s. It has drystone abuttments and a single drystone pier 0.5 metres wide with a breakwater upstream. Water flows through two channels measuring 1.5 and 0.5 metres wide (north and south channel respectively) and 0.5 metres high. The deck is of corrugated iron onto which is cast a layer of cement ca 0.5 metres thick above which is hardcore and tarmac. The style of this bridge suggests it is of medieval construction and was modified when the new road was laid across it during the 1920s, however, it is not unusual for medieval building traditions to survive in this context well into the modern period. The western side of the deck has collapsed due to flood damage." (Burgess 2004, 22)

Archaeological Survey and Evaluation of Eilean Chalium Chille and the Putative Site of the Seaforth Head Castle

People and Organisations

Related Event(s)

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