Achan
Cairnfield (Prehistoric), Hut Circle(S) (Prehistoric)
Site Name Achan
Classification Cairnfield (Prehistoric), Hut Circle(S) (Prehistoric)
Canmore ID 6681
Site Number NC82NW 10
NGR NC 820 273
NGR Description NC 8197 2732, NC 8205 2730 and NC 8202 2728
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/6681
- Council Highland
- Parish Kildonan
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Sutherland
- Former County Sutherland
NC82NW 10 820 273.
(A: NC 8197 2732 'B': NC 8205 2730 'C' NC 8202 2728) Hut Circles (NR)
OS 6"map, (1962)
Discovered during field investigations on a SW facing slope are the remains of three hut-circles (A-C).
Visited by OS (WDJ) 22 May 1961
Huts A and B are similar, being of small size with slight, sometimes indistinct walls. The wall of A appears to be about 1.2m wide. The huts measure internally 7.2m and 6.0m in diameter respectively. 'C' is of a stronger construction 10.0m in diameter within a wall spread to 2.5m. Abutting the east side, are the remains of a rectangular structure, 5.0m by 2.5m and 0.1m high, associated with the adjacent depopulated township. From its north end a slight earth and stone bank runs round a modern sheepfold to the rectangular fold at NC 82062719. No clear traces of contemporary cultivation were seen in the area, partially overlaid by early modern ploughing.
Visited by OS (JB) 2 January 1977
Field Visit (11 March 1991)
There are two hut-circles on a terrace on the N side of the township of Achan (NC82NW 12).
A. NC 8197 2732 This hut-circle measures 7.1m from NW to SE by 6.7m transversely within a bank 7.1m in thickness and 0.4m in height. The entrance is on the SE and the S side of the interior has been built up to create a level floor.
(KILD91 95)
B. NC 8205 2730 The hut-circle identified by the OS at this location is no more than a natural terrace.
C. NC 8202 2728 This hut-circle measures 9.4m in diameter within a bank 2.5m in thickness and 0.5m in height. The interior is levelled into the slope. A bank cuts across the interior from E to W and there is a hut in the E side of the interior (NC82NW 12, KILD91 97).
Extending for about 100m to the N and NW of the hut-circles there is a thin scatter of small cairns measuring up to 4m in diameter and 0.3m in height.
Visited by RCAHMS (DCC) 11 March 1991.
