Home Events Archaeology Survey Diary Gallery Results and Downloads

21st and 22nd November 2009 - Assynt Hidden Lives launch weekend

The Hidden Lives project got off the ground this weekend with a series of lectures on the archaeology of Northern Scotland, introducing the evidence for the earliest settlers and Neolithic tomb-builders to the deserted settlements of the post-Clearance period. After an introduction to the Hidden Lives Project, John Barber presented a discussion of the evidence for Neolithic society in Scotland, stimulating a lively debate about the chambered cairns of Assynt. Andy Heald then presented the evidence for Iron Age and Early Historic settlement in the parish, and on Sunday he considered Viking and Medieval Scotland. Another lively discussion followed as we considered changing settlement patterns and the reasons for the lack of Viking and Medieval archaeology in Assynt: one of the many questions we might hope to address as part of the Hidden Lives Project. The weekend was finished off with a review of the post-medieval and modern archaeology and an introduction to archaeological survey techniques by Graeme Cavers.

We had a great turnout for our launch seminar weekend and everyone is very enthusiastic about getting started on our record of the archaeology of the parish. Time to get out there!

Day 1: 23rd November 2009

Fieldwork began today in earnest, with the survey team arriving on site to record the area around Loch Borralan, in the SE corner of our Assynt study area. We have already seen some great sites: the chambered cairns on the east side of the loch are really well preserved, with the large corbelled chambers visible among the rubble. Our first day in the field allowed us to get up to speed with our recording systems, including our digital PDA database, and get into the routine that we'll use when visiting each of the sites in the parish.

Day 2: 24th November 2009

Today the team continued their survey of the area between Ledmore Junction and the south end of Loch Borradalan. The sites recorded included a Prehistoric Crannog and a number of Post-Medieval field systems. In the early part of the day the team were joined by Bill and Mandy who led us to a previously unrecorded possible Burnt Mound. Tomorrow the team will be in the area between Ledmore Junction and Elphin. Alan Duffy

Day 3: 25th November 2009

Despite inclement weather conditions, high winds, driving rain and hail, the survey continued around Ledmore and westwards through Elphin (Ailbhinn) to Knockan. A partially preserved chambered cairn due south of the Ledmore Crofting Community was assessed for further work along with further post-medieval enclosures overlooking the Ledbeg River. Immediately west of Knockan at Achadh na h-Aghan on an area of improved pasture a relict field system was recorded. This comprised numerous earthen and stone dykes, small clearance cairns and three ruinous buildings including a horizontal water mill on the south bank of Allt Lochan Fhionnlaidh, the millstones are resting in-situ within the building. The mill is known locally but remains unrecorded in the National Monuments Record of Scotland. Also in this area two partially preserved chamber cairns were assessed, adjacent to the most north-eastern cairn a low long narrow oval mound was found, cairn like material was visible protruding through patches in the mossy grass covering the surface of this feature which rose to around 1.5-2 m in height.

A search was carried out in Elphin (Ailbhinn) for two churches, Elphin Church of Scotland, listed in the Highland Historic Environment Record (HER) but on the ground, no trace of these buildings could be found. Thanks to everyone who has let us roam over their lands and to Lochinver Larder for reviving us at the end of a hard day with a selection of their delicious pies.

Day 4: 26th November 2009

The survey along the road corridor from Ledmore to Knockan concluded. Situated south of Loch Cam, with excellent views over the Loch between Creagan Mor and Meall na Braclaich to Suilven, a denuded, partially preserved kerbed cairn with the remains of a cist towards the centre was recorded. A short distance west of the cairn at Buaile nan Goilean a cemetery for the present incumbents of the area was also visited.

Part of the corridor from Inchnadamph to Lochinver was inspected. Two abandoned farmsteads were visited, the first at Rhuba an Doire Chuilinn comprised a cluster of four buildings the remains of which were visible as low earth and stone banks all but one of these were enclosed by a bank of earth and stone. Two of the larger structures are possibly dwellings; the function of the smaller structures is uncertain.

A coherent ground plan of four buildings and associated enclosures forming the second farmstead at Eadar a Chalda, to the east of Ardvreck Castle was visited. Here the walls, although ruinous were entirely built from stone. The principle building, a dwelling, aligned roughly north to south, stood at the western edge of the farmstead with partially preserved gables. Evidence of a door and two windows was found in the west wall of the building; these overlooked Ardvreck Castle, Loch Assynt and Beinn Gharbh to the west. A single window in the northern gable adjacent to the chimney and a single slit window in the east facing wall were also visible. The function of four other buildings identified within the steading complex, remain undetermined.

A chambered cairn, partially truncated along its western edge during construction of the A894, located around a mile north of Skiag Bridge was recorded. Large displaced structural stones were visible towards the centre of the cairn suggesting previous investigation or possible robbing of stone.

Day 5: 27th November 2009

The survey was aided today by Dave Allen who journeyed from Bonar Bridge to assist in the discovery of Assynts’ hidden past. The area investigated comprised a strip of land east of the A837 to the north and south of the Ledbeg River, which after a good fall of rain was in full spate.

Areas of improved pasture enclosed by earthen banks were recorded on both sides of the river, the largest on the north side contained remnants of broad rig cultivation. Adjacent to the south-east corner of this at the confluence of a small steam and the river two structures partially enclosed by an earthen bank were visible as low earth and stone banks. Other stone founded, probable farm building remains were also identified along the fringes of the river terrace.

A well preserved cairn with no structural elements protruding or discarded around the centre of the cairn, a common site with some of the cairns visited thus far, although shallow depressions within the main cairn covering material were seen, was recorded on a south facing slope on the north side of the river with good views to the south and west over Ledbeg River. A poorly preserved cairn was visited situated on the south bank of the river immediately east of the road bridge. Large vertically set stone slabs, possible remnants of the central chamber or possibly collapsed capping stones, were visible towards the centre of the cairn.

Two purported crannogs at the northern end of Loch Awe were also viewed from the banks of the loch. These were visible as low mounds covered with scrub birch; stone rubble was visible above the water level at the northernmost crannog the southern mound was untypically a thin oval shape with no exposed faces above the water level. The loch is probably relatively high, given the recent levels of precipitation.

Day 6: 28th November 2009

On a level terrace overlooking the River Traligill to the south, by the side of the graveyard at Inchnadamph, an enclosure visible as a bank with an internal, barely perceptible ditch was visited. Two possible entrances were visible to the north and east although the bank appears degraded in places by modern intervention. Generally the monument is in a poor state of preservation. The site is said to have been: “the place where the chief of the Macleods slept, surrounded by his followers, in time of danger”. It is, however, in a low lying poorly defended position. An argument still exists as to the true nature of this monument, some are in favour of a moated enclosure, the seat of Macleod, others maintain the feature is constructed in the fashion of a henge which would considerably pre-date a moated enclosure. A recent geophysical survey carried out over the site proved relatively unrewarding. The real nature of the site remains unresolved.

South of Inchnadamph along the north and south banks of Allt nan Uamh a number of sites were identified. A well preserved sheep pen with numerous, varying sized compartments was seen north of the burn, a sheep bucht and possible mill were visible south of the burn a short distance east of the A873. No trace of a burnt mount held in the HER records was found in this area but a possible platform on a steep south-west facing hillside next to the issue of a spring has been tentatively identified. Upburn from the study area on a steep north facing hillside below craggy outcrops are the bone caves. Extraordinarily, part of a polar bear’s skull was retrieved from the caves along with numerous ancient antlers. Although beyond the limits of the study area they are unique and are well worth visiting.

Day 7: 29th November 2009

Part of the area southwest of Lochinver was investigated around the townships of Inverkirkaig, Badnaban and Strathan.

Inverkirkaig situated around a sheltered bay at the eastern end of Loch Kirkaig is a township with potentially very early origins. Here a cluster of buildings and relict boundaries ranging in date from perhaps at least the C18th through to more recent buildings are ranged around the mouth of the bay. An abandoned croft with a much diminished ancilliary structure, stone enclosures and a sheep bucht were recorded to the northern edge of the township. Two unknown sites were recorded here. A ruinous structure was seen located on the southernmost end of the foreshore on Loch Kirkaig at the mouth of the river. This was recorded as three sides of a much eroded, beach cobble founded structure with a discrete, small stone setting.

The second unrecorded structure was situated at the base of a low flat terrace on the north bank of the River Kirkaig towards mouth of the river and comprised a colossal burnt mound in characteristic crescent shape facing towards the river. The mound measured around 20 m along its longest axis and stood up to 1.5 m in height.

Relict dykes and ruinous buildings were visited at Badnaban to the north of Inverkirkaig. A low dam and weir were visible towards the mouth of an unnamed burn running from Loch Bad na Murichinn through the township and entering the sea at Bagh an t-Strathain. No obvious structures directly associated with the weir or dam were found although three sides of a very ruinous stone built structure was found 40 m upburn adjacent to the burn, parts of the eastern banks of the burn were revetted with stone.

At Strathan an abandoned settlement comprising five ruinous buildings, stone built enclosures and clearance cairns were visible on a north-east facing hillside overlooking allt an t-Strathain, broad rig cultivation remnants were visible on the north side of the burn. The present township appears to have migrated 500 m to the north and enjoys a more south west facing aspect. Also in Strathan towards the northern limits of the township a small farmstead was recorded. The remains of stone buildings, and enclosures were visible. The remains of a mill were also visible towards the end of a short steep run of a burn fed by two lochans situated east of Creag na Clach Airigh.

Day 8: 30th November 2009

A number of sites on the west side of the A837 between Ledmore and to the north of Inchnadamph were visited. A large grass covered mound adjacent to a large enclosure to the north-east of Ledbeg House located on the west side of a strong ox-bow in the Ledbeg River was visited this may be a broch-like structure but was too overgrown to characterise any structural remains.

Ardvreck Castle and the land on the peninsula it occupies were inspected. The castle is situated on the north side of Loch Assynt and was found in a ruinous condition. Formerly the residence of Neil Macleod, Laird of Assynt, it is said to have been built towards the end of the 16th c, and the place to which the Marquis of Montrose was taken in 1650.

It has been a simple rectangular keep with a round staircase tower at the SE angle, corbelled out on the upper floors to form square rooms, the small stair turret to these upper rooms being carried on corbelling in the re-entrant angle. The ground floor is divided into three compartments, all vaulted, and there seems to have been four floors, the first of which is also vaulted, the remainder simply joisted. The north wall has entirely disappeared and the east and west walls are much degraded.

A large rectangular enclosure bound by an earth and stone bank was visible along the western edge of the promontory and the grassed over remains of a kiln were seen towards the northern end.

A post-medieval gold annular brooch bearing the date 1600 and the inscription 'FEIR GOD IN HIART CMA'. Some traces of blue, white and green enamelling remain was found near the castle to the south-east sometime in the past. Almost immediately north of this find-spot a cairn was recorded although much disturbed structural elements of a possible chamber were visible through the turf covering. The remains of two mills were also seen in this area on the south bank of Allt a Chalda Beag on either side of the road. The most northerly mill is being eroded away by the burn; neither mill contained any obvious signs of mill stones or gear within their interiors although the interior of the southernmost mill was rubble filled.

To the north east of Ardvreck Castle the site of a dun is listed. No trace of this was found, however. South of Ardvreck Castle, Calda House was visited, apparently the first house in north-west Scotland to feature a double pitched roof. Known locally as the White House, It was an oblong block of two storeys and an attic, divided in two by a wall running down the centre, but it is now roofless and much ruined with the side facing the loch having disappeared entirely. It is said to have been reduced to this state deliberately by fire in the mid-18th century. Although diminished the house is still an impressive site. Two rectangular stone built pens were seen to the north of Calda House, possibly stock enclosures.

Day 9: 1st December 2009

A walkthrough survey of the major town in the parish, Lochinver started yesterday and concluded today. Some of the principal buildings and structures were recorded photographically, these included:

Fieldwork began today in earnest, with the survey team arriving on site to record the area around Loch Borralan, in the SE corner of our Assynt study area. We have already seen some great sites: the chambered cairns on the east side of the loch are really well preserved, with the large corbelled chambers visible among the rubble. Our first day in the field allowed us to get up to speed with our recording systems, including our digital PDA database, and get into the routine that we'll use when visiting each of the sites in the parish.

The Culag pier and Hotel. The hotel was formerly the residence of the Duke of Sutherland which is built on the site of Lochinver House occupied by the Macdonald of Lochinver the building was destroyed by fire in the late nineteenth century.

The eighteenth/ nineteenth century corn mill and saw mill situated at the south-east end of town on the River Culag. A stone cut lade taken from the upper reach of a bend in the river originally drove a vertical wheel. Blocked openings visible in the wheel pit and the saw mill may have carried bearing boxes to carry the drive gear.

Many fine dwelling houses are visible throughout the town which seems to have flourished in the nineteenth century.

A fish trap located on the foreshore is yet to be visited; we wait for a suitable tide.

A cross allegedly visible at low tide carved into a river boulder on the banks of the River Inver was not found despite a search along the north bank of the river below the bridge. Rip-rap, or other imported stone revetting forms the majority of the southern bank below the bridge.

Other sites in the locale were also visited. A relict enclosure on a north-west facing slope was recorded to the south of Cnoc Airigh a' Bhraighe.

A site listed as a mill pond and positioned downstream of the modern fishery management, weir and dam system on the River Inver was visited. At this place a good pool was visible, towards the tail of the pool on the north side of the river a crude, diminished mill lade was visible leading to a good wall built from a large river boulder to the river bank. This structure was only viewed from the south side of the river, which was in good order and has, necessarily, only tentatively been identified as a mill. Although not having seen a map of the fishing beat along this part of the river it is possible the name of the site, mill pond, is described as the mill pool on the beat map but this is conjectural.

Elsewhere in the Lochinver environs a crofting settlement was visited at Baddidaroch. Here, a short easy walk along a well built track made up to 1 m in height in places led to a fine building greatly diminished in stature. This was seen enclosed to the south by a stone wall. The building comprised a four windowed structure with a door opening into the south side. The building appeared to have been built from quarried stone with strong quoins, good lintels and cills. Interestingly the quoins, lintels and cills were made from a red conglomerate stone which must have lent the building a very decorative look when finished, particularly so if a rough lime render visible over parts of the external walls covered the building excluding the details. A few lintels were visible lying on the ground out with the building. Two fireplaces at ground and attic level were visible in the upstanding west gable of the building. A short distance to the south a smaller, less substantial ruinous building was visited.

Day 10: 2nd December 2009

En route to Glenleraig a simple, well constructed road bridge was recorded. At Glenleraig work continued around the abandoned township. A total of 51 buildings have been identified, many of the longhouses here feature a bow end wall across the shorter axis. Local sources revealed the township was inhabited 'till around 1811 by around 90 people who were forcefully evicted during the upland clearances. Robin Noble who led the team to the souterrain and mill site yesterday received a surprise visit from the team working in this area. Prior to visiting a barn, out of common courtesy, the pair approached a house to ask permission to cross the land the barn was sited on. Guess who answered the door.

Further east another abandoned township at Unapool, accessed from the north-west by stepping stones over a small burn, was investigated. On John Home's map surveyed in 1774, the township appears to lie on the east side of the Unapool Burn. However the remains of 16 buildings, enclosures, a mill and other potential structural remains were recorded in a sheltered place on the west side of the burn with good views over Loch Glencoul, Three trackways criss-crossed the settlement. On the east side of the burn in the general area of the township depicted on Home's map a large rectangular sheep bucht was sited.

No evidence of churches or cemeteries associated with these large settlements has been found although a chapel and cemetery lie west of Glenleraig at Nedd, a possible prehistoric cairn may be positioned near the township at Unapool. The search resumes on Monday 7th December at these sites, all welcome.

The team have now returned to Edinburgh to enjoy a Christmas party and festive meal at Mother India's with the rest of AOC North's staff.

Day 11: 7th December 2009

A day of fine weather saw Gordon Sleight of Historic Assynt and Dave Allen, back from Bonar Bridge again, join the survey team as they continued around the north-eastern end of the parish at Loch Ardvar. Here a number of ruinous buildings were visited including An Dun Broch, south of the Ardvar Fish Farm complex, on the foreshore of Loch Ardbhair. This broch or dun stands on an isolated rock at the S end of Loch Ardbhair on its E shore, about 35 m from the mainland, to which it is connected by a rough causeway of boulders, now part displaced. The broch is only approachable at low tide, and at high water there is little space between the edge of the rock and the base of the building. It is a dry-built circular construction with an interior diameter of 9 m, the wall being around 3 m thick near the base. The entrance passage is from the S, only 0.6 m wide at the interior end, and remains to a height of 1.1 m on the left side. The exterior end is not measureable. Of the outside wall, only one or two of the lowest courses of the building remain visible in places, and the rest is concealed by ruins. The interior has probably been cleared of debris, and there the wall exists to a height of 2.5 m. There are no signs of chambers in the walls.

Also here at the head of Loch Ardbhair is an ancient graveyard with a number of grave markers some now recumbent. No symbols or letters were seen on any of the stones. The graveyard, which measures around 33 m x 16 m, is enclosed by a now low earth and stone bank. Local legend has it that a number of Spanish sailors landed here, were slaughtered at this place and buried here. Perhaps shipwrecked victims were washed ashore at this place and this is where they were laid to rest. At any rate the burial ground seems far from a church or chapel, township or populated place.

The other half of the team visited the area comprising Druim Suardalain and Dubh Chlais, east of Lochinver and to the north and east of Glencanisp Lodge. A well preserved drystane built enclosure was seen east-south-east of a sheep bucht on the eastern bank of Loch Druim Suardalain, relict field boundaries/enclosures and grazings were visible either side of the banks of Abhainn Bad na h-Achlaise in this area.

Further north at Dubh Chlais an abandoned township was seen. Here eight stone founded structures were recorded on a flat parcel of land with meandering burns surrounded by low hills affording good views to hills to the north. Some were found in a very ruinous state others better preserved. Two closely positioned stone buildings dominated the site, overlooking the township from the north-west, from a prominent raised terrace below Creag na Braclaich. The larger of the two was a much reduced, strong longhouse, around 20 m in length. This comprising two main compartments; a small low opening was visible from the smaller south-west room into the larger room which had signs of partial sub-divisions. The walls were too spread to determine any other openings but the building as a type, in this setting, was as imposing as any seen thus far, a similar better preserved structure was visited at Elphin surrounded by more recent buildings.

Towards the fringes of the township two alleged roundhouses were inspected, the first had a small stone built structure grafted on to its north end. The second, perhaps more plausible slightly smaller candidate, appeared with random heaps of stones arranged, at some distance, around it, both of these structures could potentially date to the Bronze-Age. The views to the north and north-west from the second possible roundhouse are good.

Thanks to Deborah of Lochinvar Larder for a delicious carrot cake, wowee!, which we found on the kitchen table on our return.

Day 12: 8th December 2009

Mandy joined the survey team at Doire Bethaig during recording of a small sheiling settlement and led them northwards along a recently constructed footpath to Loch Beannach Farm. This consisted of two distinct clusters of buildings, standing almost shoulder to shoulder at 200 m apart. Situated on high ground sheltered by low hills to the east; the sites looked to Suilven, to the south-east and Quinag to the north-east and were positioned overlooking and to the west of a burn draining from Loch an t-Sabhail.

The southern farmstead comprised six buildings and associated enclosures. A longhouse, subdivided into three rooms with an associated enclosure abutting the northern end of the structure formed the principal building. A smaller building may represent a corn mill, listed as occupying part of the site in the NMRS record. Other dwellings occupy the site and evidence of cultivation here was visible in the form of rig and furrow immediately south-west of the farmstead. South of this site an enclosure was seen on a north facing slope, on a terrace above this, three possibly sheiling structures were found.

The farmstead to the north-east comprised four buildings; a better founded longhouse with good rubble quoins and internal sub-divisions formed the principal structure here, a single window and two possible openings into the east side of the structure were seen but mostly the sides of the building were reduced to below cill leve. The location of this building and position, broadside on, afforded magnificent views to Quinag. Three large stone built enclosures and walls were situated around the main buildings, rig and furrow cultivation remnants were visible immediately south-east of the farmstead. A dam and water mill probably associated with this steading were visible at the mouth of the loch.

A sturdy wall aligned east-west at mid-point between the two steadings may represent a march or property boundary. If the steadings both were in possession of a mill and a longhouse it seems they may have been managed as separate entities. Although the Historic Assynt team have undertaken a detailed survey of this place it is an interesting area and may benefit from further investigation.

As well as a good footpath leading to the above sites re-planting has taken place. Stands of birch and scots pine are taking root.

Enclosures and sheilings were recorded at Ruigh Ruadh south of these sites.

To the north of the parish part of the road corridor from Reintraid to Unapool was covered. Here isolated buildings, relict field systems and enclosures were visited.

Day 13: 9th December 2009

Bill and Mandy met the team near Ardroe and took them to some hitherto unrecorded sites. The first site comprised two mills, a horizontal mill and a newer larger mill probably driven by a vertically set wheel. The new mill was fed by a stone lined and possibly partially rock cut lade drawn from a burn fed by Loch Dubh, the lade after exiting the mill turned sharply to the north and rejoined the burn before discharging into Loch Roe. Considerable energy was invested constructing the new mill, not only were the walls constructed from very large boulders over a metre in size, the foot of the burn driving the earlier mill was diverted 90 degrees to flow from east to north and entered Loch Roe from the south. A series of weirs and dam were constructed along this diversion to create pools which slowed the flow of the burn and protected part of an enhanced section of beachhead reclaimed from the original course of the burn now associated with the new mill. Parts of a track leading to the mill along the south side of the lade were also visible.

A number of porsts were visible arranged around the foreshore here at low tide. A grassed over porst directly associated with the mill further up the beachhead was also tentatively identified here.

Also in this area south of the mills along a short precarious walk in front of steep cliffs with a number of possible rock shelters with soft sediments at their bases, a small complex of buildings was visited. These were sited at the foot of sheer rocky outcrops to the east and sheltered by low hills to the south and west. A large possible barn potentially associated with the mill was seen. This had an arrangement of platforms/yards enclosed by low walls along the east and south sides of the building. The building featured an entrance through the east wall and a small window opening in the west wall, a low possible lean to structure was recorded abutting the north gable of the building. A ramp leading from the southern platform to the south-east may continue as a track curving round to the north towards Loch Roe. A well preserved corn drying kiln was also seen here and a small building overlooking the site from towards the top of a low hill to the west was also visited, the function of this is undetermined but within the structure an unusual stone bench or pediment was seen abutting the north wall as well as an internal sub-division. A stone dyke surrounded the southern part of the site, other low stone walls and miscellaneous stone founded features worth closer inspection were seen here.
"Slainte" - Bill and Mandy.

The survey around Glenleraig concluded, a building and enclosure were recorded upstream from the mill recorded near here. An associated sheep bucht was also seen. Part of the area around Inchnadamph was visited. A cluster of six sheilings were discovered up Gleann Dubh on flat ground immediately south of the River Traligill. A building with an attached enclosure was visited on the opposite river bank, small heaps of stones, clearance cairns were visible lying out with the enclosure.

Day 14: 10th December 2009

The survey in and around Ardroe finished today but not before a walk out towards Cnoc na Moine, unsuccessfully in search of a site Bill and Mandy had given directions to, to the team to yesterday. However, here, before the sun rose, spectacular panoramic views over probably the whole parish and beyond were gawped at. (Mental note to self: Must spend more time exploring Assynt)

Another site Bill and Mandy directed us to yesterday was visited. At this place called Camasnafriaraich, sounds as though there might be a religious connection here? An abandoned coastal farmstead was visited, the first so far. The site was located by the sea, just to the north of a broad bay with three rocky coves and sheltered by low hills to the west, north and east. A well constructed, grand house was recorded enclosed by a wall to the east. Not dissimilar to the property visited at Baddidarrach the house appeared to feature quarried stone, in the main, red sandstone forming good quoins, lintels and door and window surrounds. The walls were built from rubble, roughly brought to course with frequent pinning and chocking stones, typical of the building construction seen across the parish. Remnants of lime mortar, bonding the walls was seen and traces of lime render was visible on the external walls. As well as three window openings the house contained a large hearth, wall press and had a gabled ended compartment attached to the north end of the building. A smaller drystane built, two compartment structure was recorded a short distance to the east from this building which also had an enclosure, though here detached, immediately east of the building.

A number of stone built field boundaries and possible small enclosures were seen around the site as well as clearance cairns. Towards the shore in the easternmost rocky cove, a row of four grassed over linear mounds were seen, possible porsts, in the centre cove on top of the beach head a stone built porst was seen.

Initially, and probably still, perceived as a possible horizontal water mill perched up on the edge of a rocky outcrop on a promontory between the coves directly above the beach head, a small, rectangular rubble built structure was seen. A burn drained through the middle of this, then cascaded down over the edge of the rock outcrop. Is this a water mill or could this small, single celled structure serve a monk in contemplation or at prayer. Further work here may be rewarding in determining the function of this structure.

Further south, at Inchnadamph, the team were joined by Mandy and Dave, Bill at a meeting in Pitlochry missed a fine day. An abandoned crofting township lying below Druim nan Torr, cleared in the 'Sutherland Improvements' of the 19th century was visited and recorded. This amounted to around thirty buildings with associated enclosures, field boundaries was also visible in this area. To the east-north-east of this on higher ground a cluster of five possible burnt mounds were seen, although smaller than some visited across the parish Mandy expounded her theories on the origins of this particular site. Again further work here may prove rewarding.

After an interesting three weeks spent in Assynt, undertaking a whistle stop tour of the parish and carrying out a rapid field assessment of the more accessible sites concerning the Assynt's Hidden Lives Project, the team return to Edinburgh tomorrow, a number of sites will be visited before they depart.

©2009 AOC Archaeology Group. View Terms of Use