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Feith Osdail
Cairnfield (Period Unassigned), Hut Circle(S) (Prehistoric)
Site Name Feith Osdail
Classification Cairnfield (Period Unassigned), Hut Circle(S) (Prehistoric)
Alternative Name(s) Dalnessie
Canmore ID 5524
Site Number NC61SW 1
NGR NC 620 147
NGR Description Centred NC 620 147
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/5524
- Council Highland
- Parish Lairg
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Sutherland
- Former County Sutherland
NC61SW 1 centred 620 147.
NC 621 147. At least twelve hut circles varying from 21ft to 36ft in diameter, a kerbed cairn about 10ft in diameter and an open, stone-lined cist occur in an extensive depopulated site with both rectangular and hip-ended long-houses, field systems, clearance cairns and numerous other structures.
J E Kirby 1976.
Centred on NC 620 147, along a south-facing slope above an area of 18/19th century depopulation (NC61SW 2), is a settlement of four hut circles (A-D), accompanied by a scatter of field clearance mounds. The huts are poorly preserved and heather-covered.
The internal dimensions 'A' to 'D' respectively are 10.0m by 8.5m, 7.0m diameter, 7.0m and 8.0m diameter; entrances are in the south or south-east on the line of the long axis where applicable. The walling is reduced to rubble spread to 1.5m to 2.0m in width, and up to 0.3m high. Kirby (1976) notes at least twelve hut circles, a kerbed cairn and an open, stone-lined cist. However nothing of a prehistoric character other than the four hut circles was found.
Surveyed at 1:10 000.
R J Mercer 1980; Visited by OS (undated)
Field Visit (5 February 2011 - 30 September 2012)
Hut-Circle (possible) (NC 6244 1470) Field survey carried out in 2011 recorded an irregular heather topped stony banked enclosure with a diameter of 7m. There is no clear entrance. It lies 5m from the south-east side of the existing track and c.930 m SW of Dalnessie.
Feith Osdail, Settlement, hut circles and field system. The NMRS and HER record that, in 1976, at least twelve hut circles varying from 7m to 12m in diameter, a kerbed cairn about 3m in diameter and an open, stone-lined cist were identified in an extensive depopulated site which also contains both rectangular and hip-ended long-houses, field systems, clearance cairns and numerous other structures. (J E Kirby 1976). Later survey (Mercer 1980) recorded that above an area of 18/19th century depopulation (NC61SW 2), is a settlement of four hut circles (A-D), accompanied by a scatter of field clearance mounds. The huts were recorded as poorly preserved and heather-covered. Nothing of a prehistoric character other than the four hut circles was found during that survey. Mercer also recorded the turf-covered stone footings of at least eight buildings ranging from 5 m by 3 m to 14 m by 3 m, accompanied by the ruins of several individual enclosures. There are some traces of walls but overall no real signs of a comprehensive field system. A later sheepfold is also on the site. The site is a scheduled monument (4563).
Information from OASIS ID: cfaarcha1-141020 (G Mudie) 2012
