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Dail Nan Sac
Building(S) (Period Unassigned), Enclosure (Period Unassigned), Sheepfold (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Dail Nan Sac
Classification Building(S) (Period Unassigned), Enclosure (Period Unassigned), Sheepfold (Period Unassigned)
Canmore ID 132948
Site Number NJ11SE 23
NGR NJ 1628 1035
NGR Description Centred NJ 1628 1035
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/132948
- Council Moray
- Parish Kirkmichael (Moray)
- Former Region Grampian
- Former District Moray
- Former County Banffshire
NJ11SE 23 centred 1628 1035
An enclosure is depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Banffshire 1872, sheet xlvi) and shown with one, possibly two, unroofed buildings on the current edition of the OS 1:10000 map (1971).
The Ordnance Survey Name Book states that Dail nan Sac is a 'area of holm-land on the east bank of the River Avon'.
Information from RCAHMS (DE) 17 August 1998.
Name Book 1867.
(Location cited as NJ 1627 1036). Dail nan Sac. This minor depopulated settlement is situated in an area of rough grazing on a W-facing river terrace at an altitude of about 380m OD. It comprises the footings of a rectangular building and an enclosure.
NMRS, MS/712/40.
Field Visit (August 2007 - August 2010)
Measured survey and photographs.
Srp Note (29 August 2011)
A ruined sheepfold, building and enclosure stand on upon a level area of sheep-cropped grass within a meander on the E bank of the River Avon. The site sits at 372m OD and lies beside an estate track and old plantation, which appear to overlie the W edge of the enclosure. To the NW rises the steep slope of Fail an Tuirc, covered with short grass and low heather, with scree at the foot.
The sheepfold, which is almost square measures c18m x 18m, with sharply square corners (where visible) and the walls survive as stone foundations, composed chiefly of quartzite and granite, including a notable pink granite boulder at the SW corner. A central wall divides it into two equal parts. The NW half is subdivided into two quarters. There are entrances mid way along the SE and NW walls, with perhaps a through passage between.
The building, which measures c10m x c5m, lies immediately N of the NE corner of the sheepfold and is incorporated within the walls of a triangular enclosure which extends to the NW. Both the building and the S and E walls of the enclosure survive as low turf footings, 1.2m thick, which stand up to 0.5m high; the W edge of the enclosure is defined by a low bank which appears to be composed of spoil from the track construction. The building is rectangular and is aligned NE-SW, with a possible entrance in the SE wall and a scooped area outside which may be a midden.
The back (E) wall of the triangular enclosure defines the edge of the level ground of Dail nan Sac; it seems to be built with a steeper face on the uphill (N) side, and might be described as a head dyke. A less well-defined continuation of this wall extends SE for some 150m along the scree at the foot of Fail nan Tuirc. It terminates on a knoll at NJ1642 1026 above the steep-sided gully of Dalestie Burn.The knoll is occupied by the stone footings of a round ended building which is recorded separately under NJ11SE 33.
The sheepfold alone is depicted on the 1st (Banffshire 1872, sheet xlvi)and 2nd (surveyed 1900) Editions of the OS six-inch map.
Information from SRP Strath Avon Survey, August 2011.
