Abhainn Hornaraidh – The Frobost Shielings

NF 7712 2471 and NF 7765 2446 The sites were first (re) discovered during a field trip, on 30 May 2021, focussing on biodiversity species recording for the Outer Hebrides Biological Recording group. This field visit was crossing the southern part of the Mingearraidh Plateau, crossing territory formerly part of Milton township at first before crossing the boundary dyke into the Frobost area, still extant across that part of the island. The shieling huts were not entirely unexpected, their presence was hinted at by the river’s name, but their extent was an initial surprise – especially as they were unrecorded.

There are two groups of huts found so far. The first, western group, is a twin mound site with ruins of two stone-built bothies on each, in addition to smaller ruined features, probably remains of stone-lined produce clamps, commonly found in association with shieling settlement groups.

Further upstream, to the E, partly surrounded by a bight in the river, is the second area. This is considerably more extensive with at least eight low mounds each occupied by one or two bothain on each. Only one mound appears to have supported stone built ruins, the others are topped with turf-built structures with stone settings. Where the Abhainn Hornaraidh passes this second site, there is a wider pool, now with very shallow water present, but there is a line of boulders placed across the lower end of the pool which appear to have been used as set stones for a turf walled weir to create a deeper pool for drawing water, washing and perhaps allowing children to play! Although, at first glance these resemble potential ‘stepping stones’ as the river is only 2–3 inches deep at this point, and the stones are generally quite angular, this seems extremely unlikely.

Several further visits have been made to the site, during July and August. On these later trips, the route to the site has been from the original Frobost township. The first part of the route is still used as a township track to the common pasture, and further extends as a raised ‘causeway’ to the south of the Frobost Barp (chambered cairn). Several further related features have been now recorded along this original transhumance route, including a vernacular stone-slab bridge and two ‘Skyline Stones’ to help to follow a safe route, across the generally boggy wide valley to Criribheinn, and along generally not dangerously steep escarpments over Criribheinn itself. It is likely that when stock were being led out to the shielings for the summer, a slightly longer, gentler route across the bealach twixt Criribheinn and Leathabhal would have been followed – a still-recognisable trail can be followed throughout the putative route.

Archive: Virtual 3D models of some sites have been created and

stored online. These may be seen at https://sketchfab.com/ Smilemaker/models. PDF copies available on request.

Simon Davies – Uist Community Archaeology Group / ACFA

(Source: DES Vol 22)