Coll, Hyne

NM 20248 54363 (centred on) A walkover survey, Level 1

building recording and an evaluation were carried out, 5–6

April 2018, in advance of the construction of a new house.

The walkover survey across the entire property recorded a

range of sites (listed below). Level 1 building recording was

carried out on a stone barn, which had been extensively

rebuilt and modified. The machine evaluation revealed the

survival of a stone wall, which was probably part of an

enclosure attached to the barn.

NM 20258 54338 (S1) A low square platform, base of

former structure as shown on 1st Edition OS map.

NM 20220 54366 (S2) A low stone wall, part of enclosure

as shown on the 1st Edition OS map.

NM 20384 54455 (S3) Plane – A few pieces of metal are all

that are visible of the wreckage of a Hawker Hurricane, which

was attached to 516 Squadron, 26 Group Bomber Command,

then operating out of RAF Connel near Oban. This aircraft

was flown by Warrant Officer JE Stephen (RAF) aged 24.

Sadly, the pilot failed to reach Oban following a training

exercise in 1944. His wrecked aircraft was discovered three

days later at Hyne on the Isle of Coll. A plaque was unveiled,

18 August 2008, close to the site of the crash. This plaque,

which had fallen, is in the possession of the landowners.

NM 20143 54181 (S4) Pier – Natural low rock cliff utilised

as a pier with modified natural slip, c25m long, outer edge

lined with stone. Metal rings etc in cliff to tie boats to.

Medieval building on Island Eillich. © Mitchell Fotheringham

DISCOVERY AND EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND 31

ARGYLL AND BUTE

NM 20145 54148 (S5) – Five near circular cups in the

upper rock surface above the natural pier. Purported to be

bait holes, but probably natural features, which may have

been used to grind bait, very unlikely to be the result of bait

preparation. The largest is 140 x 160mm by 70mm deep.

NM 20009 54168 (S6) Boat noust – Narrow clearing on

beach used to allow the hauling out of boats.

NM 20000 54272 (S7) Structure A – Dry stone structure,

rectangular 8 x 5m. S-facing entrance. Wall 0.8m wide and

1.2m high, level with no gables. Linked to a low dry stone

enclosure wall, which runs up to a natural cliff-like outcrop

of bedrock.

NM 19999 54185 (S8) Structure B – Rectangular structure,

10 x 5m, boulder built. 2m high wall. W end only 0.3m high.

Clearance cairn also on W side.

NM 19958 54170 (S9) Structure C – Linked set of structures,

main structure with later additions. Rectangular dry stone

wall, 2m high. Structures (a-d) measured c5 x 7m, c10 x 6m,

c4 x 6m, c2 x 3m. Low stone enclosure on N side.

NM 19939 54161 (S10) Structure D – 12 x 6m rectangular

structure. Dry stone wall, no gables. Enclosure on N side.

Later internal division.

NM 19945 54153 (S11) Structure E – 5 x 10m with twinning

pen in S corner. 2m high walls. Stone wall enclosure on W

side, with wall then leading off to SW.

NM 19961 54147 (S12) Structure F – 2 x 5m dry stone

structure.

NM 19829 54184 (S13) Walls – Lines of boulders, 0.5m

high x one boulder wide.

NM 19848 54186 (S14) Field boundary and enclosure on

1st Edition OS map.

NM 19862 54187 (S15) Low clearance cairn.

NM 19774 54212 (S16) Earthen and stone field boundary.

NM 19902 54213 (S17) Low clearance cairn.

NM 19950 54233 (S18) N/S field boundary linked to

settlement, low stone wall on map.

NM 20004 54221 (S19) Clearance cairn against bedrock

outcrop.

Archive: NRHE (intended)

Funder: Private individuals

Clare Ellis – Argyll Archaeology

(Source: DES, Volume 19)