Garbeg
Building(S) (Early Medieval) - (Medieval), Field System (Prehistoric) - (Early Medieval), Hut Circle(S) (Prehistoric)
Site Name Garbeg
Classification Building(S) (Early Medieval) - (Medieval), Field System (Prehistoric) - (Early Medieval), Hut Circle(S) (Prehistoric)
Alternative Name(s) Drumnadrochit; Garbeg Cottage
Canmore ID 12646
Site Number NH53SW 7
NGR NH 5020 3230
NGR Description Centred NH 5020 3230
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/12646
- Council Highland
- Parish Urquhart And Glenmoriston
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Inverness
- Former County Inverness-shire
NH53SW 7 centred 5020 33230
Extends onto map sheet NH43SE.
(NH 5040 3241) Hut circle.
Visible on RAF air photographs CPE/Scot/UK 296: 3121-2, Flown 1947.
Centred at NH 502 323 is a settlement of 21 huts (A - V) with field system.
Except for 'G', 'M', 'Q', 'R' and 'U', each hut is formed by a stone wall spread to a regular width all round. Apart from 'G' the hut dimensions are given between wall centres. Huts 'A', 'B' and 'C' are unusual, being sub- rectangular, with bowed sides and rounded ends.
Hut 'A' measures c. 14.0m NW-SE by c. 8.0m, with the wall spread to c. 2.5m. There is a suggestion of a cross-wall 4.5m from the SE end which is flattened. The 'simple' entrance, c. 0.7m wide, is in the SE.
'B' is oriented the same way as 'A', and is the same size with a 'simple' entrance c. 0.7m wide in the SE. Two field walls join the N arc and a track clips the NW arc.
'C', set into a W-facing slope, measures c. 16.5m N-S by c. 7.0m, with the wall spread to c. 2.5m. The 'simple' entrance, c. 1.0m wide, is in the S. See enlargement.
These three huts are in the same state of preservation as the others in the settlement and the pattern of cultivation associated with them is the same.
'D' is oval, measuring c. 12.0m N-S by c. 9.0m, with the wall spread to c. 3.0m. The 'simple' entrance, c. 1.2m wide, in the S, is flanked on the E side by a stone.
'E' is circular, measuring c. 11.0m in diameter with the wall spread to c. 2.5m. The 'simple' entrance, c. 1.3m wide, is in the S.
'F' is oval, measuring c. 12.0m from the NNW through the 'simple' entrance, c. 0.7m wide, in the SSE by c. 9.0m, with the wall spread to c. 3.0m.
'G', set into a SE-facing slope, is visible as an oval platform measuring c. 9.5m N-S by c. 7.5m, with traces of walling round the rim. There is no evidence of of an entrance. A lynchet joins the S arc.
'H', set into a SE-facing slope, is oval measuring c. 12.5m NW-SE by c. 9.5m, with the wall spread to c. 3.0m. The 'simple' entrance, c. 1.2m wide, is in the SE.
'J' is oval measuring c. 12.0m NW-SE by c. 10.0m, with the wall spread to c. 2.5m. The 'simple' entrance, c. 1.2m wide, is in the SE.
'K' is oval measurin
g c. 9.0m NW-SE by c. 7.0m, with the wall spread to c. 3.0m. Two outer facing stones can be seen round the SE arc. The 'simple' entrance, c. 1.0m wide, is in the SE.
'L' is oval measuring c. 10.0m NW-SW by c. 7.5m, with the wall spread to c. 2.0m. The entrance is not apparent.
'M', set into a SE-facing slope, is oval and is mutilated, measuring c. 12.0m N-S by c. 10.0m with the wall spread to an indefinite width. There is no evidence of an entrance.
'N' is oval measuring c. 11.0m NW-SE by c. 9.5m with the wall spread to c. 2.5m. An earth-fast boulder is incorporated in the SE arc. The 'simple' entrance, c. 1.0m wide, is in the SE.
'O' is circular, measuring c. 11.0m in diameter. The wall of bare rubble stones is spread to c. 3.5m all round and stands to a height of c. 0.7m. No wall faces are evident. The entrance, in the ESE, is partly obscured by tumble.
'P' is circular, measuring c. 12.0m in diameter with the wall spread to c. 3.0m. The 'simple' entrance, c. 1.0m wide, is in the SE.
'Q' is circular, measuring c. 8.5m in diameter. The wall is denuded, of indeterminate thickness, and the entrance is not apparent.
'R', set on the edge of a slope, is circular measur- ing c. 12.0m in diameter. The wall is spread to c. 5.0m at the SW side of the entrance, but this is probably due to build-up, and c. 3.0m elsewhere. The entrance, in the ESE, is splayed from c. 1.0m inside to c. 2.8m outside. 'S', set into a S-facing slope, is oval measuring c. 11.5m NW-SE by c. 9.5m with the wall spread to c. 3.0m. The 'simple' entrance, which is ill-defined, is in the SE.
'T' is oval and is the same size as 'S', but the wall is spread to c. 2.5m. It is mutilated by a track crossing it from E-W and the entrance is not evident.
'U' is circular, measuring c. 10.0m in diameter. The wall is denuded, of indeterminate width, and the entrance is not apparent.
'V' is oval measuring c. 11.5m N-S by c. 9.5m with the wall spread to c. 3.0m. The entrance is not apparent.
The alleged hut circle (Visible on RAF air photograph CPE/Scot/UK 296: 3121-2, flown 1947) at NH 5040 3241 is a group of stone clearance heaps. The field system is defined by stone clearance heaps, lynchets, and the occasional field wall, with plots varying from about 20m x 15m to 45m x 40m.
Surveyed at 1:10,000.
Visited by OS (R L) 27 Feburary 1970
The W part of an extensive prehistoric settlement of hut-circles and associated field-systems was noted during an archaeological assessment of Coul na Kirk by J Wordsworth. Within the area inspected, seven hut-circles (corresponding to OS hut-circles N, O, R, S, T, U and V) lie amongst an extensive spread of small cairns. Occasional dykes may mark later cultivation, possibly connected with 18th to 19th century agricultural improvements.
J Wordsworth 1995; NMRS MS 961/8, no.4
Scheduled [in part] as 'Garbeg Cottage, settlement 1250m N of... two groups of sub-rectangular/oval and circular hut foundations... in rough moorland on opposing sides of a shallow valley sitting among the upper reaches of a wider valley.'
[This Scheduled monument apparently comprises groups of five and six hut-circles, around NH 50691 32680 and NH 50916 32723 respectively].
Information from Historic Scotland, scheduling document dated 1 March 2007.
Scheduled [in part] as 'Garbeg, settlement 1160m NNW of Garbeg Cottage... [comprising] two oval hut foundations... in rough pasture....'
[This Scheduled monument apparently two hut-circles, at NH 49948 32414 and NH 49952 32380 respectively].
Information from Historic Scotland, scheduling document dated 7 February 2008.
Field Visit (18 September 1943)
This site was recorded as part of the RCAHMS Emergency Survey, undertaken by Angus Graham and Vere Gordon Childe during World War 2. The project archive has been catalogued during 2013-2014 and the material, which includes notebooks, manuscripts, typescripts, plans and photographs, is now available online.
Information from RCAHMS (GF Geddes) 12 November 2014.
Field Visit (3 September 1997 - 4 November 1997)
NH53SW 7 centred 5020 33230
Extends onto map sheet NH43SE.
Eighteen hut-circles and three buildings are disposed across undulating ground to the N of Garbeg; the lower ground is characterised by rough grass, giving way to heather on the higher ground. There are two distinct clusters of buildings and hut-circles lying one either side of a gully at the top of the Culnakirk Burn (NH 5093 3273, URQ97 53-8, 138; NH 5067 5368, URQ97 48-52), and also a dispersed scatter of hut-circles to the SW (URQ97 35-7, 43-6, 135). These are described individually below in the order of the previous (OS) description with a new discovery appended. Few of the hut-circles are strictly circular and there are at least four examples with straight sections and facets in the lines of the walls (OS D, F, H, L). In one extreme example the structure is sub-rectangular. The date of these buildings is unknown.
Buildings (see also D)
OS A (URQ97 58, NH 5099 3269). This building is subrectangular on plan, with bowed sides and a rounded NW end; it measures 11.4m from NW to SE by 5.7m transversely within a stony bank spread to 1.7m in thickness and 0.4m in height. The SE half of the interior has been sunk below the level of the NW half, perhaps indicating a byre. The entrance is in the SE end.
OS B (URQ97 57, NH 5095 3266). This building is subrectangular on plan; the SW side is bowed and the SE end, which contains the entrance, is squared off. It measures 11.6m from NW to SE by 6.1m transversely within a stony bank spread to 1.7m in thickness and 0.5m in height.
OS C (URQ97 55. NH 5091 3271). This building is subrectangular on plan with bowed sides and rounded ends. It measures 14.5m from N to S by 4.9m transversely within a turf and stone bank spread to 1.8m in thickness and 0.4m in height. There is a hollow in the surface of the interior, immediately inside the entrance, which is in the S end; it may indicate a byre.
Hut-circles
OS D (URQ97 54, NH 5092 3273). This hut-circle is roughly oval on plan, although there are several straight sections forming slight facets in the line of the wall. It measures 9.5m from N to S by 6m transversely within a stony bank spread to 1.8m in thickness and 0.6m in height. The entrance is on the S and the interior has been sunken below the surrounding ground level.
OS E (URQ97 56, NH 5091 3276). This hut-circle measures 10m in diameter within a stony bank spread to 2.2m in thickness and 0.4m in height. The entrance is on the S. A subrectangular building has been inserted into the N half of the interior. It measures internally 8.3m from E to W by 5.9m transversely.
OS F (URQ97 53, NH 5087 3274). This hut-circle, which is roughly oval on plan, measures 9.4m from NNE to SSW by 6.5m transversely within a stony bank spread to 1.8m in thickness and 0.4m in height. The entrance is on the SSW. There are several straight sections forming slight facets in the line of the wall.
OS G (URQ97 52, NH 5074 3272). This hut-circle measures 6.4m from N to S by 5.4m transversely within a stony bank spread to 1.6m in thickness and 0.3m in height. The entrance is on the S. The slight slope within the interior matches that of the surrounding ground level.
OS H (URQ97 51, NH 5073 3269). Oval on plan, this hut-circle measures 9.8m from NW to SE by 6.9m transversely within a stony bank spread to 2.3m in thickness and 0.5m in height. Straight sections in the line of the wall form facets on plan, especially to either side of the entrance, which is on the SE.
OS J (URQ97 49, NH 5066 3272). Oval on plan, this hut-circle measures 9.4m from NNW to SSE by 6.8m transversely within a stony bank spread to 2.7m in thickness and 0.5m in height. The entrance, which is on the SSE, is flanked by boulders and the interior is dug into the slope on the N.
OS K (URQ97 48, NH 5063 3267). This hut-circle measures 8m from NNW to SSE by 7.5m transversely within a stony bank spread to 1.8m in thickness and 0.4m in height. The entrance is on the SSE.
OS L (URQ97 50, NH 5069 3261). This structure, possibly a hut-circle, is sub-rectangular on plan, with bowed sides and four distinct facets marking the corners. It measures 7m from NE to SW by 5.5m transversely within a turf and stone bank spread to 1.7m in thickness and 0.4m in height. The interior is dug into the slope.
OS M (URQ97 46, NH 5052 3242). Oval on plan, this hut-circle measures 8.9m from N to S by 6.6m transversely within a stony bank spread to 2m in thickness and 0.6m in height. The entrance is on the S and the interior is dug into the slope on the N.
OS N (URQ97 45, NH 5039 3235). Oval on plan, this hut-circle measures 9.5m from NW to SE by 7.4m transversely within a stony bank spread to 1.7m in thickness and 0.4m in height. The entrance is on the SSE and the interior is dug into the slope on the N.
OS O (URQ97 44, NH 5036 3233). This hut-circle measures 8.9m in diameter within a stony bank spread to 2.3m in thickness and 0.5m in height. At the entrance, which is on the ESE, the terminals of the bank expand to 3.3m in thickness. The interior is dug into the slope on the N.
OS P (URQ97 43, NH 5037 3217). This hut-circle measures 9.8m in diameter within a stony bank spread to 2m in thickness and 0.4m in height. The entrance is on the SE and the interior is dug into the slope on the NW.
OS Q (URQ97 135, NH 5037 3213). This hut-circle measures 7.1m in diameter within a stony bank spread to 1.1m in thickness and 0.3m in height. The entrance is on the SE and the interior has been levelled up on the SW with material dug out of the slope on the NE.
OS R (URQ97 37, NH 5015 3228). This hut-circle measures 8.8m in diameter within a stony bank spread to 1.7m in thickness and 0.4m in height. The entrance is on the ESE and the interior, which is dug into the slope on the N, is largely obscured by clearance.
OS S (URQ97 35, NH 4994 3241). This hut-circle measures 8.6m from NNW to SSE by 6.9m transversely within a wall 2.5m in thickness and 0.5m in height. The entrance is on the SE and the interior is dug into the slope NW.
OS T (URQ97 36, NH 4995 3238). Oval on plan, this hut-circle measures 9.2m from N to S by 7.2m transversely within a wall reduced to a stony bank spread to 1.8m in thickness and 0.3m in height. The entrance is on the WSW and occasional inner and outer facing stones are visible along the line of the bank.
OS U (NH 5000 3272). This feature, identified previously as a hut-circle may be a crater. This area was used to test explosives in the 1950s (information from Mr Younie, Garbeg).
OS V (NH 4987 3215). This hut-circle was clothed by dense gorse at the date of visit and no measurements could be taken.
(URQ 138, NH 5088 3279). This hut-circle measures 5.5m in diameter within a stony bank spread to 1.3m in thickness and 0.3m in height. The entrance is on the SW and the interior is crossed from NE to SW by a track.
What may be a further hut-circle is situated on the crest of the ridge that lies along the N side of the scatter of small cairns (NH 50183 32469).
Small cairns, the largest of which measures 5m across and 0.4m in height, are scattered across the hillside to the N of Garbeg. To the E of the gully at the head of the Culnakirk Burn (NH 5057 3216) there is a particularly dense group of about 100, interspersed with short lengths of bank and linear clearance. To the W of the Culnakirk Burn the distribution of cairns is less dense. To the SW recent improvement for grazing has fragmented a group of cairns and field-banks extending down to the N side of the track leading to Garbeg farmsteading. Here (NH 500 320) the banks may have formed a large scale system of enclosure similar to that recorded further E (NH 53 SW 10, 11). Immediately to the S of one hut-circle (URQ97 44) there a two roughly parallel banks that may have defined a trackway (NH 5035 3230) leading from a gap in a field-bank.
(URQ97 35-7, 43-6,48-58, 135, 138)
Visited by RCAHMS (DCC) 3 September and 4 November 1997.
Project (May 2001)
A project of archaeological survey and evaluation was undertaken for Team Aquarius, on behalf of NOSWA by Headland Archaeology in advance of a water mains pipeline along Glen Urquhart, Highland. The proposed route runs from Tomich (NH 314 277) north to Cannich (NH 334 318) and then east towards Drumnadrochit where it splits to the north (NH 502 332) and south (NH 498 283). The proposed route is largely along the roadside but four stretches are through farmland or forestry. The survey comprised an initial desk based assessment to examine all available documentary and map sources prior to commencement of fieldwork, a walkover survey of the entire route and a watching brief on six trial pits highlighted as being in archaeologically sensitive areas by Highland Council’s Planning and Development Department Archaeological Officer. A full specification for the archaeological work was prepared by Highland Council.
Headland Archaeology 2001
Watching Brief (20 April 2009 - 17 June 2009)
Kiltarlity – Drumnadrochit (All Dearg – Culnakirk)
Overhead Line Refurbishment
Watching brief
Cait McCullagh – Highland Archaeology Services Ltd
NH 5114 3838 to NH 4987 3090 A watching brief was carried out on the renewal of the overhead electric line, 20 April–17 June 2009. The excavation of 78 trenches and the removal of 31 poles was observed and photographically recorded.
The subsoil in the trenches from the start of the monitored area through to NH 50352 35376 revealed an underlying stratigraphy of glacial till (sand with stone, cobble and boulder inclusions). Much of the remainder of the route traversed waterlogged bog or rough pasture. The subsoil in these areas comprised varying depths of well humified dark brown-black and/or mid-red brown partially humified peat, which on occasion came down onto blue–grey waterlogged clay. The large quantities of woody material in the upper peat layers of trenches from NH 50031 33435 – NH 50015 33280 may represent the remains of relict forests, or more recent forestry. There are many plough scrapes and hollows and a number of modern access paths cut into the ground in this area. All trenches and pole holes were devoid of archaeology.
The Creag Ard hut circles at NH 5000 3227 and NH 4987 3215 and the Clachmor cup-marked stone and associated ring ditch at NH 499 310 were marked out before works commenced. A possible hut circle was located 9m W of NH 4987 3213, obscured by heavy gorse, and could be part of the Creag Ard hut circle and cairn field complex. A denuded hut circle was identified at NH 50326 34941 during a walkover survey ahead of trenching. This feature, the Easter Cudrish hut circle, was found to be mostly as described on the HHER
and was also marked out.
Archive: RCAHMS. Report: HHER and Library Service (intended)
Funder: Scottish and Southern Energy
