Monument record MHG19498 - Farmstead, Meikle Burn

ND16SE 53 1712 6322

Longhouse (ND 1713 6322). Dimensions: 27.2 x 5.3m. Rectangular structure divided into four compartments, the central units apparently residential, the SE unit a later addition, also containing a fireplace. A horse engine is attached to the long wall. Orientation NE-SW.
R J Mercer, NMRS MS/828/19, 1995

One roofed building and three enclosures are depicted on the first edition of the OS 6-inch map (Caithness 1877, sheet xii). One unroofed building is shown here on the current edition of the OS 1:10,560 map (1970).
Information from RCAHMS(FO) 15 February 1996

This longhouse was visited during a watching brief on a replacement water main in October 2008. The dimensions of the building were noted as 30.4m long by 4.8m wide. The building exhibits several construction phases. The above mentioned horse engine was noted as a circular platform, 8m in diameter, and having a small central depression. It abuts the mid point of the NW elevation of the longhouse. The report notes that the interpretation of this feature as a horse gin is inconsistent with the standing remains of the building. It may relate to an earlier phase of the structure or may be associated with an earlier structure on the site. <1>