Loch Eriboll
Souterrain (Prehistoric)
Site Name Loch Eriboll
Classification Souterrain (Prehistoric)
Alternative Name(s) Fouhlin
Canmore ID 4941
Site Number NC45SW 2
NGR NC 4038 5409
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/4941
- Council Highland
- Parish Durness
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Sutherland
- Former County Sutherland
NC45SW 2 4038 5409
(NC 4038 5409) A souterrain was discovered at Fouhlin on 9th September 1960 during excavations for the foundations of a bungalow.
Excavations in 1964 and 1965 by A Morrison and R Reid revealed that it was about 60 ft long, curved almost at right angles and had no side chambers. The entrance, at the downslope end, had steps down into the souterrain, and the entrance passage, about 2 ft wide, was lined by large slabs surmounted by drystone walling. The souterrain itself had been formed by digging a trench into a glacial mound, lining the sides with drystone walling and roofing it with slabs. The average width was 4 1/2 ft. Associated surface structures, presumably dwellings, were located at the upper end of the souterrain. Among the finds were querns and a glass bead, probably dating to the Roman Iron Age. At some period, during or after the souterrain's use, the entrance passage was blocked by large stones and earth.
A stratified midden of mussel and oyster shells and burnt material overlay the central part of the souterrain
(Information from Dr C S Sandeman, 13 September 1960).
There are at least three and probably five hut circles associated with the souterrain (Information contained in letter and Field notes from K Reid 25 September 1978).
A Morrison and R K W Reid 1964; A Morrison and R K W Reid 1965; Information from OS, 29 September 1978.
Access to the souterrain is blocked by stones, but it remains intact as the bungalow which was to have occupied the site has been built elsewhere. There are no surface indications of hut circles in the locality.
Surveyed at 1:10,000.
Visited by OS (N K B) 27 November 1978.
Publication Account (2007)
NC45 3 FOUHLIN (Loch Eriboll’)
NC/4038 5409
This souterrain near the head of Loch Eriboll is mentioned briefly here because of the finds. It was discovered at Fouhlin in September 1960 during excavations for the foundations of a bungalow.
Excavations in 1964 and 1965 by A Morrison and R Reid [2] revealed that the underground passage was about 60ft long, curved almost at right angles and had no side chambers. The entrance, at the downslope end, had steps down into the souterrain, and the entrance passage, about 61cm (2ft) wide, was lined by large slabs surmounted by drystone walling. The souterrain itself had been formed by digging a trench into a glacial mound, lining the sides with drystone walling and roofing it with slabs. The average width was 1.38m (4.5ft). Associated surface structures, presumably dwellings, were located at the upper end of the souterrain.
Finds: when the souterrain was first discovered a pair of bronze shears was found on a ledge inside [4, 5]. Among the finds from the excavation were rotary querns and a triangular glass bead with spiral inlays, probably dating to the Roman Iron Age [6].
Sources: 1. NMRS site NC 45 SW 2: 2. A Morrison and R K W Reid in Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1964, 51: 3. Ibid. 1965, 39: 4. Donation of shears in Proc Soc Antiq Scot 94 (1960-61), 327: 5. MacGregor 1976, 144, 146, no. 277: 6. Guido 1978, 197.
E W MacKie 2007
