31512: LSFH 6.2 Abhainn na Muilne

Summary:

WALL (Medieval to Post Medieval – 1266 AD to 1900 AD)
REVETMENT (Medieval to Post Medieval – 1266 AD to 1900 AD)
Drystone wall or revetment

Location:

NB 2875 1922

Full description:

"Running from east to west downstream along the northern shore of the Abhainn na Muilne is an intermittent revetment or wall constructed primarily of drystone with the aim of preventing erosion and collapse of the steep northern bank of the burn. At the eastern end of this wall are a pair of orthostatic pillars that seem to represent a gateway or sluice through the wall. These lie within a 5 metre stretch of walling and are situated 1 metre apart, each being no more than 0.75 metres high." "While no mills were found in this area, the presence of the dam/dyke – 6.1 and the revetting walls along the burns leading away from the Loch Dubh to the north suggest that there might be mills further downstream outside the are of the current survey. The final piece of evidence that supports this is the name of the burn – Abhainn na Muilne, as Muilne is Gaelic for Mill." (Burgess 2004, 22-23)

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.