33096: GEARRAIDH GHUINNESBRIDH, LEWIS – SHIELING? (Undated), MIDDEN (Undated)
Summary:
SHIELING? (Undated)
MIDDEN (Undated)
Collection of buildings and structures, middens
Location:
NB 036 197
Full description:
NB01NW 5 036 197
There is a variety of habitation sites among one of several areas of tumble in the form of massive broken rocks and fissures on high ground ENE of Aird Bheag house. The individual sites are:
A: A sub-rectangular stone setting 2.5km long, possibly a shieling.
B: A rectangular structure (semi-modern) of three drystone walls, 2 with gables, incorporating 2 rocks.
C: An oval stone setting 2.5m long, between boulders.
D: A sub-circular stone setting beside a boulder.
E: 2 rectangular chambers formed of slabs, in a fissure between large boulders.
F: A sub-circular stone setting 3m diameter, with stone tumble inside.
G: A sub-rectangular coursed stone setting 2m long, between 2 boulders.
H: A sub-circular stone setting 3.5m diameter, with some stones on edge, beside a large boulder.
I: A collection of 2 sub-circular stone settings beside large boulders, and 3 linear stone walls between boulders.
J: A curved row of stones which appear to be a kerb but may be natural, at the foot of a grassy mound.
K: A sub-rectangular stone setting 2.5m long with walls and tumble, probably a shieling, on a grass-covered mound, about 12m across and 2m high, of small stones, possibly a burial mound.
Between boulders there are numerous pockets of exposed midden material comprising limpet, whelk and mussel shells and some pottery. Near the site there are several ‘caves’ under massive boulders, some with midden material. Nearby are long-abandoned peat cuttings.
MR Curtis and GR Curtis, 1992
What may be five unroofed shieling-huts, which are annotated as Ruins, are depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Ross-shire, Island of Lewis 1854, sheet 34), but they are not shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10000 map (1973).
Information from RCAHMS (SAH) 16 July 1997
References:
1992. ‘Gearraidh Ghuinnesbridh (Uig parish): habitation sites’, Discovery and Excavation, Scotland. 84 plan, fig 84
Acknowledgement:
Information provided by Western Isles Council Sites & Monuments Record, January 2006.
Record Location
Details
- Record Type:
- Historical or Archaeological Site
- Type Of Site:
- Shieling; Midden
- SMRRecord ID:
- MWE77866
- Record Maintained by:
- CEU