Monument record MHG22353 - Allt an T-Sean-Achaidh

NM79SW 9 702 949


NM 700 949 (centre) At the W end of Loch Morar there is a burn called Allt an Loin which runs N from opposite the islands; E of Loch a Bhada Dharaich it splits into two further burns - An Leth-allt and Allt an t-Sean-Achaidh. On the banks of these are a number of unenclosed platform sites. They fall into three groups:
1 There are four in close proximity on the W bank of An Leth-allt at NM 699 949 (Sites A-D).
2 There are two more close by on the E bank of An Leth-allt at NM 699 949 (Sites E and F).
3 A little further away there is one possible site by Allt an t-Sean-Achaidh at NM 702 949 (Site G), and one definite at NM 701 945 (Site H).
General description. A flat platform is dug into the hill slope at the back and built up at the front to give a roughly circular shape about 7-8m in diameter. The cut at the back of the site is usually pretty minor, even allowing for erosion. At the front of the platform there is usually a revetment of at least two courses of stonework. Depending on the slope this can raise the front of the platform by as much as 1m from the natural ground level. The extra depth of soil on these platforms is confirmed by strong bracken growth and animal burrows. The six sites by An Leth-allt are all close together and suggest a community settlement. Most of the platforms are within view of each other. The nearest arable ground is a little downstream and the choice of site suggests that whoever lived here was more likely to be concerned with pastoral farming. The name Sean-Achaidh or 'old-field' is recorded in 1762, suggesting that if the site was already regarded as old in the mid-18th century, it must be at least medieval.
Site A. The platform faces E and two courses of stone are visible in the SE corner. The entrance would have been to the N or S. There are possibly some facing stones at the back of the platform. c 8m E-W; c 7.5m N-S.
Site B. This lies c 55m NNE of Site A and a few metres downslope. It has perhaps two courses of stonework on the E side. The entrance was probably to the N. c 7m E-W; c 8m N-S.
Site C. This is c 40m SSE of Site A and a few metres downslope. The entrance was probably to the S. At least two courses of stonework are visible in the SE corner where the ground has been built up by at least 1m. c 7m E-W; c 8m N-S.
Site D. Less than 100m NE of Site C and below all of Sites A-C, about 30m from An Leth-allt and close to the stone piers of a ?late 18th-century bridge. Several courses of stone in the E face raise the level of the platform c 1m. It is one of the most visibly artificial sites in the group. The entrance could have been to the N or S. c 7m E-W; c 8.5m N-S.
Site E. 100m NNE of Site D, on the E bank of An Leth-allt is the largest and most indistinct platform. Only one course of stone is visible on the W face. A few metres to the NE a rough stone dyke runs about 35m NE. It serves no obvious purpose and may be completely unconnected with the platform. There are numerous dykes in the vicinity but it does not appear to be related to these either. c 9m E-W; c 10m N-S.
Site F. About 50m S of Site E is the best-preserved platform of the group. It has been constructed to take advantage of a large boulder lying on the slope and as a result its NW side is almost straight. This gives a slightly triangular feel to this platform whereas the others are all roughly circular. The entrance was probably to the SE. The wall is roughly built but still has four courses of stone visible on the SW face and two courses in the NW face. c 7m E-W; c 7m N-S.
Site G. At the top of the lower stretch of Allt an t-Sean-Achaidh (just before it goes steeply uphill) is another possible site. This is set right alongside the burn and is the most dubious of the group. Two possible courses of stone are visible to the S with a protruding stone projection running a few feet SSW. Whereas all the other sites face across a burn, this one faces down the glen. c 8m E-W; c 9m N-S.
Site H. The platform faces W. The entrance could have been to the N or S. Some of the stones from this platform may have been reused in the little rectangular house base that lies E-W in the N half of the platform. Presumably in the late 18th or early 19th century the flat site offered by the platform was used for a dwelling house. c 8m E-W; c 8m N-S.
D Rixson 1996