Midtown

NG88NW 1 c. 820 856

In May 1893 a 'dish' or trough was discovered when peat was being dug about 200 yards (182m) N of the former schoolhouse at Old Midton and about 10 yards (9.1m) W of the B8057 public road. The area is situated near the W shore of Loch Ewe at an altitude of about 25m OD, and the object had probably been covered by at least 3m depth of peat deposit. Part of one end was lost during recovery and the fragment of 'straw or hay rope' that was found beside the trough disintegrated upon exposure to air. The fate of the trough itself is unknown.

On examination the object was found to be worked from a single piece of what was probably well-preserved bog-oak. Its form was not recorded in detail and no drawings were made, but it was said to be oblong on plan and the upper parts of each end projected for about 1?" (38mm) to form what were probably ledge-handles; one of these had been pierced vertically as if the trough were to be stored hanging. There was a second hole, which had been plugged, in the bottom at the same end.

The recorded external measurements were 2'1" (0.6m) in length by 1'2" (0.4m) transversely and 4" (0.1m) in depth, and the corresponding internal dimensions were 1'8" (0.5m), 1'1" (0.3m) and 4" (0.1m) respectively. The sides and bottom measured between ?" (6mm) and ?" (13mm) in thickness, and the bottom of the cavity measured 1'6" (0.5m) by 11" (0.3m).

On the basis of these figures and on the assumption that it was roughly rectangular, the volume of the cavity was about 15 litres. When found, it was filled with bog butter which had evidently been poured into it in a molten state.

D Macrae 1894; C Earwood 1993; R J C Mowat 1996.

(Location cited as NG 82 87). Two discoveries of bog butter have been recorded; both are now apparently lost. One was found 'deep' in a peat bog in 1893, and was contained in a rectangular trough with a rope beside it. The other was found in about 1891-3 'only a few yards' away.

NMRS, MS/996/1.

NG 81 84 A walkover survey in February 2001 of an area of proposed forestry located two shieling sites and pre-crofting boundary dykes, and recorded abandoned buildings within the crofting township (NMRS NG88NW 8).

Report to be lodged with Highland SMR.

Sponsor: I M Forestry.

C Dagg 2001