Gleann Marcasaidh

Farmstead, enclosures and head dyke (NOSAS Site Survey Nos 268 - 272) at NH 37362 58257 and a possible still bothy (297) NH 36997 58407are located W of the enclosed cultivation terraces and settlement at Mid Glenmarksie (NH35NE_32) on S facing slopes above the Allt a‘ Ghlinne around the 200m contour. The farmstead (269) and adjacent enclosure (268) are situated amid improved land, the upper limits of which are defined by the fragmentary remains of a head dyke at 220m altitude.

A small farmstead building (269) at NH 37362 58257 measures 7m x 2m internally on a NE-SW axis between stone footings standing to a maximum 0.3m high which are best preserved at each gable end. The S end appears more substantial and may be a later outshot which abuts the N side of a turf and stone walled enclosure (268). The enclosure forms a six sided polygon 60m diameter, stands 0.6m high and there is a clearance cairn located on high ground to the north.

A section of head dyke (270) represented by a curving length of collapsed stone wall approximately 80m in length contours the NE side of a prominent knoll around NH 37472 58311 and defines the extent of improved grassland from the heather moorland above.

Two other small structures and lie close to the E end of the head dyke. The first (271) is a sub rectangular enclosure defined by stones and measures 10m x 4m overall. The second (272) is a semi-circular setting of stones which measures 5m x 3m.

Some 400m NW is a probable still bothy (297) at NH 36997 58407, well hidden in a small marshy valley located behind a knoll is at an altitude of 210m close to a fresh water spring. The building is rectangular and measures 6m x 3m internally, with walls up to 0.4m high built of large stones, a small crag forming the S side.

Information from North of Scotland Archaeology Society