Eilean Fhianain, East Platforms
Building (Post Medieval), Platform (Post Medieval), Slag(S) (Post Medieval)
Site Name Eilean Fhianain, East Platforms
Classification Building (Post Medieval), Platform (Post Medieval), Slag(S) (Post Medieval)
Canmore ID 356245
Site Number NM76NE 1.15
NGR NM 75284 68277
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/356245
- Council Highland
- Parish Arisaig And Moidart
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Lochaber
- Former County Inverness-shire
Field Visit (5 September 2017)
This group of at least 5 platforms occupies the E of the island downslope from the summit area, north of the bait hole and south of the old jetty. The area is dominated by a natural terrace that stretches from the S to the N, but it has clearly been modified in places and the building, slag and smaller scoops indicate a mixture of settlement, industry and burial-related activity that may be of post-medieval date.
22. NM 75288 68292: This grass, reed and Hawthorn-grown oval platform, which is cut back into the steeply rising slope on the E side of the island, measures 5.7m from N to S by 5.1m transversely, with a rear scarp 1.5m high and a frontal apron 0.2m high.
23. NM 75279 68294: This grass-grown platform, which is cut back into the steeply rising slope on the E side of the island, measures 6m from N to S by 5.4m transversely, with a rear scarp 0.5m high and a frontal apron 0.2m high.
24. NM 75289 68289: This grass and reed-grown platform, which is cut back into the steeply rising slope on the E side of the island, measures 5.5m square, with a rear scarp 1m high.
25. NM 75289 68271: This fern, grass and hazel-grown platform, which is cut back into the steeply rising slope on the E side of the island, measures 28.5m from N to S by 5.5m transversely, with a rear scarp 1.8m high and a frontal apron 1m high. There are traces of a rectangular building at the N end measuring 5.8m from E to W by 2.8m transversely, within spread turf walls 1.3m thick and up to 0.2m high.
26. NM 75286 68242: This grass-grown platform, which is cut back into the steeply rising slope on the ESE side of the island, measures 20.5m from NNE to SSW by 6.1m transversely, with a rear scarp 1m high. Jim Kirby believes that this may be the site of a bloomery, as he has noted many fragments of iron slag at the NE edge of the platform and on the shore below.
Visited by HES, Archaeological Survey (ATW, GFG) 5 September 2017