Cnoc Dubh

NC70NW 56 718 063.

Centred on NC 718 063, on the lower NE slopes of Cnoc Dubh, is a settlement of three similar hut circles (A-C) now reduced and heather-covered. The entrances are in the SE.

'A' measures 6.5m diameter within an indeterminate low wall.

'B' measures 8.5 by 6.5m inside a vague wall-spread.

'C' measures an estimated 10.5m by 9.5m across internally. The wall survives in the NE half only where it is visible as a spread 2.0m and up to 0.5m high.

A few clearance heaps nearby indicate associated land-use.

Surveyed at 1:10,000.

Visited by OS (J M) 19 May 1981.

There are three hut-circles (ROG95 333-5) ranged along the crest of a ridge on the NE flank of Cnoc Dubh. All have an entrance on the SE, along the line of the ridge. One of the hut-circles (ROG95 333, NC 7191 0630, OS'C') is considerably larger than the other two, measuring 11.7m from NE to SW by 10.7m transversely within a faced bank 1.5m in thickness and 0.5m in height. The other two hut-circles measure 8.3m by 6.9m across (ROG95 334, NC 7187 0631, OS'B') and 7m in diameter (ROG95 335, NC 7183 0634, OS'A') within predominately earthen banks spread up to 1.7m in thickness and 0.3m in height. Both hut-circles are slightly levelled into the slope which steepens towards the NW end of the ridge.

There are several small cairns (ROG95 931), measuring up to 3m in diameter and 0.3m in height, on the crest of the ridge. The break of slope along the NE side of the ridge is marked by an intermittent stony bank, with smooth ground to the SW.

(ROG95 333-5; 931)

Visited by RCAHMS (DCC) 18 May 1995