Inchfad, Loch Lomond

NS49SW 41 4052 9135 to 4012 9112

Coppiced alder hedge field boundary, shown on OS map [not referenced]. Intermittent walling along the line of hedge which represents the edge of a coppice hag and frequent dumps of clearance stones along the hedge line. The land beside the shore contains coppiced birch and hazel. Some clearance of stones from the coppice hag onto the shore is present. The walling is of fairly good quality in places consisting of two outer faces of boulders only one course high and 1.20m wide containing a fill of earth and stone. The wall is best preserved towards the N end of the hedge line and it continues in a dispersed form to the silage tower (NS49SW 34) where it terminates. Some good stretches of wall are also present towards the W end where the hedge line terminates at its return with hag enclosure wall.

Enclosure wall forming a N-S return towards the E end of the wall / alder hedge which it appears to abut. This wall is located c. 68m W of the fence between the eastern and central fields and forms a division between hag enclosures. The wall is constructed of large drystone boulders and consists of two outer faces with a fill of smaller tones; it is 42m long, 1.20m wide and stands up to 0.90m high maximum.. The wall survives better in some stretches than others and it runs down to the loch where it appears to be associated with an arc of stones which is possibly a fish trap or a landing stage (NS49SW 40). The W side of this small enclosure is defined by a drystone bank.running 28m N to S down to the shore of the loch where it has been eroded away. The wall is of variable construction but at its best consists of two outer faces of boulders containing a fill of smaller stones, it is 1.4m wide and stands up to 0.5m high. This wall forms the W limit of an enclosure or hag. In the SW corner of this hag enclosure is a linear but indeterminate arrangement of boulders and there are a few small piles of stones within the enclosure which probably represent clearance.

Coppiced alder is present all the way along the N shore and is separated rom the fields by the main wall / bank. Coppiced alder does extend to the W beyond the enclosed areas but it is noticeable that the coppicing has been more intensive within the enclosure created by the above walls. This individual hag may represent woodland that was rented or sold to a particular individual outside the Estate.

Between the plantation bank and the loch shore to the NW there are a number of small indeterminate features. At NS 4025 9125 there are Clearance cairns and cleared stones at the edge of cultivated land. A sub-oval scatter of moss covered boulders removed from the cultivated field. Maximum diameter of stone scatter is 4m.

At NS 4023 9127 there is a small linear cairn, 1.35m x 0.70m and 0.35m high. Orientation 138 degrees. Quite recent in date and contains a sheep horn at E end. Probably an animal burial.

At NS 3982 9100 there is a dispersed sub-circular cairn, 3.5m in diameter and 0.5m high lying in coppice beside the shore. Probably a clearance feature . A tree is established amongst the moss covered boulders.

FIRAT 1996; NMRS MS 993/3

NS 386 913 and NS 400 908 The second of three phases was completed on the assessment of the islands and crannogs in Loch Lomond. Twenty-five islands were visited during the survey, the majority were found to be archaeologically sterile. The two islands in Stirling where sites were recorded have the sites listed in abbreviated form below. Full reports will be deposited in the NMRS and Central Region SMR. See also separate entries under Kilmaronock parish, West Dunbartonshire and Arrochar and Luss parishes, Argyll and Bute.

Inchfad

NS 4026 9126 Track.

NS 4023 9127 Small linear cairn.

NS 4018 9121 Drystone coppice hag enclosure wall

NS 4011 9114 Drystone coppice hag enclosure wall

NS 4052 9135 - NS 4025 9125 - NS 4012 9112 Boundary bank and wall of coppice hag

Sponsors: Friends of Loch Lomond, Historic Scotland, Dunbartonshire Enterprise, SNH, Loch Lomond Park Authority.

FIRAT 1996