31925: ECC 1.11 Eilean Chalium Cille

Summary:

BARN (Post Medieval – 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
HOUSE (Post Medieval – 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
BLACK HOUSE (Post Medieval – 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
COW HOUSE (Post Medieval – 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
LONGHOUSE (Post Medieval – 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
Blackhouse, originally built as a barn

Location:

NB 38425 21021

Full description:

"Consisting of large collapsed earthcore walls, with little visible evidence of stone faces, the remains of this blackhouse measure 17 x 7 metres and are orientated from west to east. Standing to a maximum height of 1.5 metres this house has two opposing entrances 1 metre wide located in the north and south walls, 5 metres from their east ends. This house was built within the extents of enclosure (1.10) being situated at, and forming, the enclosure’s south-eastern corner. A second smaller structure was constructed against this house’s north wall at its east end. This structure, also constructed of stone and turf, measures 3 metres from west to east and 2 metres from north to south. It has a single entrance at the centre of its west wall. This structure definitely abuts the main building, suggesting that it post-dates the original construction. Overall, the form and size of this house suggest that it post-dates the other blackhouse (1.9) also attached to enclosure (1.10). While it is possible that two house existed concurrently attached to the same enclosure, it is more likely that this house started out life as a barn related to house (1.9) and that at some point, perhaps when house (1.9) was shortened, this house was rebuilt and enlarged. At that point it is likely that house (1.9) was then utilised as a barn." (Burgess 2004, 84)

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.