Lochan Sgeireach

NC14SE 7 1647 4394.

At NC 1647 4394, in high S-facing ground, is a hut circle accompanied by a field system.

The hut, slightly set into the slope, measures about 8.5m in diameter internally, and has an entrance in the SE; the wall is reduced to a peat and turf-covered boulder-rubble spread, 2.0m to 2.5m broad and, in the N arc, up to 0.8m high. The interior is strewn with stones. Abutting the hut exterior in the N are the remains of three crude bothies.

The field system is denoted by stone clearance heaps, spaced on average 10.0m to 15.0m apart, lynchets and also occasional rickles of stones indicating linear stone clearance; a plot 15.0m by 12.0m was noted. Surveyed at 1:10,000.

Visited by OS (J M) 15 May 1980.

A hut-circle, small cairns, lynchets, enclosure and seven stone structures, spread over the NE- and SE-facing slopes of a rocky knoll on the E of Allt an Lochain Sgeireich, were recorded during a pre-afforestation survey of Scourie and Badcall common grazings. The hut-circle measures 9m in diameter within broad stony banks up to 2.5m in width and 0.6m in height. The entrance is on the S.

There are fifty-two turf-clad small cairns. They measure up to 6m in diameter and are up to 0.6m high. The lynchets range from 15m to 45m in length.

There are seven small stone structures scattered over the upper slopes of the knoll. Five are clustered around the hut-circle and the remaining two lie to the SSW. Typically thestructures are no more than 2m square internally, although the largest structure measures 3m by 1.5m. The enclosure, at the S end of the area, measures 4.5m by 3.5m with 0.5m wide walls standing up to 0.3m in height.

M Dalland and S Halliday (Headland Archaeology 16 November 1999; NMRS MS 1039/52, no.11

NC 160 440 (centre) A short-notice survey was undertaken of 118ha of land to the SE of Scourie. There are six previously recorded archaeological sites within the area, largely located on the slopes around Loch Leathad nan Cruineachd in the middle of the area (NMRS NC14SE 6-10, 15). The sites comprise five hut circles, a homestead with associated field systems, two burnt mounds and numerous small stone-built shelters.

During the survey a total of 221 archaeological features were located, including six hut circles, two homesteads, two burnt mounds, 17 small stone shelters and 178 cairns. The majority of the sites had been previously recorded. Outside this core area, the remains of a large bank, not previously recorded, were located to the S and SW of the prehistoric settlement.

A full report has been lodged with the NMRS.

Sponsor: Historic Scotland

M Dalland 2000