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Scourie
Archaeological Landscape (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Scourie
Classification Archaeological Landscape (Period Unassigned)
Canmore ID 4588
Site Number NC14SE 10
NGR NC 159 440
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/4588
- Council Highland
- Parish Eddrachillis
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Sutherland
- Former County Sutherland
NC14SE 10.00 159 440.
NC14SE 10.01 centred on NC 1575 4376 Cnoc na Caorach Glaise Hut-circle; Small Cairns
NC14SE 10.02 centred on NC 1582 4393 Leathad nan Cruineachd Hut-circles; Small Cairns; Structures
NC14SE 10.03 centred on NC 1612 4415 Leathad nan Cruineachd Hut-circles; Homestead;Small Cairns; Structures
Centred on NC 159 440 along a SE-facing hillside, is a settlement of four hut circles (A-D), and a homestead (E) within an extensive associated field system.
'A' measures 8.5m by 7.5m internally and has an entrance in the E on the line of the long axis; the wall is reduced to a peat-covered rubble spread, 2.0m broad by 0.3m high.
'B', levelled back into the slope, is about 8.5m internal diameter. The hut is much depleted, little remaining but a platform with walling residue on the perimeter.
'C' is approximately 10.0m by 8.5m across internally with a probable entrance position in the ESE, on the line of the long axis. The wall survives to a substantial degree in the SE half only, at most-pronounced as a turf and peat-covered rubble band 2.0m broad and 0.2m high.
'D', distinctly elliptical in shape, measures some 15.0m NW-SE by 10.5m overall; an entrance position is no longer discernible. Walling remains are scant.
'E', the homestead, is levelled back into a very slight slope and is oval in plan. It measures approximately 13.5m by 9.5m internally and has an entrance in the NE on the line of the long axis; a gap in the E quadrant is almost certainly mutilation. The wall is mainly reduced to a peat-covered rubble spread, at best 2.0m broad by 0.3m high, with a stretch of inner facing contiguous slabs in the SW. A sparse band of stones crossing the NW sector of the homestead interior is of uncertain purpose but does suggest later modification.
The field system comprises numerous stone clearance heaps, spaced on average 10.0m to 20.0m apart, occasional lynchets and, E of the homestead, an appreciable length of consumption walling; in the last feature several crude, bothy-type structures have been built. A plot 15.0m by 20.0m was noted.
Surveyed at 1:10,000.
Visited by OS (J M) 15 May 1980.
An area of hut-circles, a homestead, small cairns and other cultivation remains, spread over the on the lower SE-facing slopes of Cnoc na Caorach Glaise to Leathad nan Cruineachd, was recorded during a pre-afforestation survey of Scourie and Badcall common grazings. Individual groupings are described separately.
M Dalland and S Halliday (Headland Archaeology 16 November 1999; NMRS MS 1039/52, no.4
NC 160 440 (centre) A short-notice survey was undertaken of 118ha of land to the SE of Scourie. There are six previously recorded archaeological sites within the area, largely located on the slopes around Loch Leathad nan Cruineachd in the middle of the area (NMRS NC14SE 6-10, 15). The sites comprise five hut circles, a homestead with associated field systems, two burnt mounds and numerous small stone-built shelters.
During the survey a total of 221 archaeological features were located, including six hut circles, two homesteads, two burnt mounds, 17 small stone shelters and 178 cairns. The majority of the sites had been previously recorded. Outside this core area, the remains of a large bank, not previously recorded, were located to the S and SW of the prehistoric settlement.
A full report has been lodged with the NMRS.
Sponsor: Historic Scotland
M Dalland 2000