Eilanreach, Barn

The ruined Barn, amidst an attendant group of steadings on the opposite side of the road, was formerly cruck-framed with slatted sides, the cruck ends surviving embedded in their masonry slots. Its destruction by fire in the 1990s echoed the similar fate of its virtual twin at Ardintoul (q.v.).

[Visiting this area in 1786, John Knox noted: 'In order to preserve the trifling crops of grain that are raised here, the corn is carried, in wet weather, and as soon as it is cut down, into barns built with wicker, where it is dried by means of the sifting air'.]

Taken from "Western Seaboard: An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Mary Miers, 2007. Published by the Rutland Press http://www.rias.org.uk

DESCRIPTION:

Early 19th century hay/threshing barn, long sides east/west; wide louvred

bays flank centre threshing/winnowing bay (now also louvred); similar gable

end louvred voids. White-washed rubble; round corners; remains of 2 cruck

stumps embedded in internal walls; piended corrugated iron roof. Measures

65' x 19'6" on plan.

REFERENCES:

NEW STATISTICAL ACCOUNT, xiv (1836) p.135

NOTES:

Original thatched roof would have been carried by between 4 and 8 pairs of

scarfed crucks. One of a series of similar barns found in Lochalsh and

Kintail. In 1836 Eilanreach was an extensive sheep farm "finely situated near

the sea".

Information from Historic Scotland.

Listed 1971. Category B.

De-listed September 2011.