31506: LFSH 5.3 Cnoc nan Clach – STONE SETTING (Early Prehistoric – 500000 BC to 4001 BC)

Summary:

STONE SETTING (Early Prehistoric – 500000 BC to 4001 BC)
Stone setting

Location:

NB 28856 18949

Full description:

"Situated at the southern end of Cnoc nan Clach, 16 metres from the stone circle (5.2) at its northern end, this setting of stone measures 5 metres from north to south and 3 metres from east to west. It is formed by a low turf mound located on bedrock outcropping at the top of west facing cliffs and is dominated by two similarly sized triangular shaped orthostats located in its west side. These stones measure 0.4 x 0.2 metres and stand up to 0.5 metres tall, and are visible – like a pair of gate posts – on the horizon in all directions. Other stone is visible in the mound, but tumbled and difficult to interpret." Part of a ritual landscape. "Including the stone circle and setting on Cnoc nan Clach and the standing stone at Sildonis (NB21NE04) this landscape seems to dominate the slopes above the south-western end of the sea loch – Loch Erisort. Other elements might include the spring or well (5.4) located in the valley immediately to the west of Cnoc nan Clach and the chambered cairn located ca 1000 metres to the south of the burn that runs past its west side (5.5)." (Burgess 2004, 20-21)

References:

Chris Burgess, Northamptonshire Archaeology. 2004. Northamptonshire Archaeology Archaeological Survey and Evaluation of Eilean Chalium Chille and the Putative Site of the Seaforth Head Castle. Part No Loch Seaforth Head Gazeteer.

Acknowledgement:

Information provided by Western Isles Council Sites & Monuments Record, January 2006.