Duffdefiance, Glen Nochty

NJ31NW 13 3018 1667

(NJ 3017 1667). The remains of a small farmstead have been noted on a S-facing slope in an area of rough grazing at an altitude of about 400m OD.

NMRS, MS/712/9.

The following site has been identified while checking maps held by Grampian Regional Council. Full information is held in GRC SMR.

NJ 303 166. Remains of a small farmstead.

Sponsor: Grampian Regional Council.

M Greig 1995.

(Location changed to NJ 3018 1667, name to Duffdefiance and classification to sheepfolds). Two conjoined drystone-walled sheepfolds are situated on the N bank of the Water of Nochty, immediately W of the stream's confluence with the Moineiseach Burn. The interiors of both folds are dug into the gently rising ground to the N, and their perimeters on this side are defined by steep scarps revetted with drystone masonry. The W fold, which is rectangular on plan, measures 20m from E to W by 13m internally, has an entrance central to its W side. The larger enclosure, to the E, which is polygonal on plan and measures 22m from N to S by 22m internally, has an entrance on the E.

Although the plan of the surviving folds differs slightly from those shown here on the 1st and 2nd editions of the OS 6-inch map (Aberdeenshire, 1869 and 1902 respectively, sheet lix), it seems likely that they are essentially the same structures. Both of the enclosures are accurately depicted on the current edition of the OS 1:10,000 scale map (1975), but river erosion has entirely destroyed all traces of a third fold shown on the map immediately to the S.

Visited by RCAHMS (ATW, IWF), 3 July 1997.