South Uist, Kirkidale

NF72NE 3 7979 2644.

"Kirkadal, S Uist. NF 799 265. The tentative identification of this early Christian site is the result of research by Dr Alistair Maclean, Daliburgh, S Uist. Local Gaelic traditions relate to this site, there is slight documentary evidence and the place name is significant. Rectilinear buildings within a diamond-shaped enclosure are obscured by what may be an intrusive shieling."

I A Crawford 1964.

Centred on NF 7979 2644 is a group of at least eight dry-stone-walled shieling-type structures, maximium height 1.3m, with a possibly associated enclosure. There is no evidence of early Christian occupation at the site.

Dr Maclean, Daliburgh was consulted but merely confirmed that there was no evidence of early Christian occupation at the site and also confirmed the information contained above.

Surveyed at 1:10560.

Visited by OS (W D J) 10 May 1965.

NF 798 267 (centred) The excavation of two adjacent sites was continued in Kirkidale. The upper site was better defined and four cellular structures, cut into an earlier mound of large rocks were identified. The coarse handmade pottery from the site falls into two groups, one of which is probably Neolithic. The other has yet to be dated, but may be medieval. No modern material of any kind has been found at this site. At the lower site, an early modern house about 10m by 4.5m had a paved floor at one end incorporating green slate from the island of Stuley, S of Locheynort, and two rotary quernstones. The other end of the building had a rough floor with no paving, and a curved drain leading through the wall; it seems likely to have been used as stalling for animals. Beneath the building the archaeological deposits continued into a large depression, which remains to be investigated.

Sponsor: University of Sheffield

J Moreland 1992

In June 1993 excavation continued of a series of sub-circular huts connected with a large oval enclosure, and a mound contained within the enclosure. A test pit excavated in 1992 produced a sherd of decorated Neolithic pottery. The area of excavation was expanded to 12m by 12m. Excavation showed that some of the huts contained hearths but little artefactual material. Occasional sherds of non-diagnostic pottery were found. These may be ' medieval' in date. Excavation of the mound revealed that it is likely to have been a substantial stone wall which collapsed to the W (sic).

On the eastern side of the wall a series of hearths were uncovered associated with pottery which is similar to that found elsewhere on the site this year. The date and nature of the site remain enigmatic, but further excavation to the layers in which Neolithic pottery was found in 1992 should provide the answers.

Sponsor: University of Sheffield

J Moreland 1993