Gruids Wood

NC50SE 77 centred 564 032

A township comprising three unroofed buildings and three enclosures and a head-dyke is depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Sutherland 1877-81, sheet cii). Three unroofed buildings, the remains of another unroofed building, two adjoining enclosures and the remains of another enclosure are shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10000 map (1992).

Information from RCAHMS (SAH) 3 October 1995

Centred on NC 565 036 and NC 570 024 A pilot archaeological survey in advance of forestry felling was undertaken. Two compartments within Gruids Wood were studied. The enlarged 1948 RAF aerial photos showed prehistoric settlements and field systems, as well as post-medieval fermtouns, standing out clearly. The study revealed evidence of post-medieval settlement and agricultural use and the remains of a prehistoric settlement, as well as previously recorded sites and monuments.

The efficacy of such studies would seem to depend on the non-mechanised preparation of the ground before hand-planting, regular management and thinning of plantations, as well as access to good enlargements of the late 1940s aerial survey photos.

Gruids Wood NE

NC 5626 0356 Foundations of three rectangular structures, the central one with a small enclosure to the E, are spaced equally about this point. All are sited to the E of an irregular dyke of boulders.

NC 564 035 Area of field clearance cairns.

NC 5660 0355 Large earthen bank - ?woodland management.

A copy of the report has been lodged with the NMRS.

Sponsor: Forest Enterprise Dornoch.

J Harden 1996.