Monument record MHG24921 - Luibean Ruadh

NN 8127 9805
Visited Sunday 29th June 2003. Weather fine and sunny.The site lies on the south bank of the Allt Chomhraig at an altitude of 340m. It is on the north west side of an elongated knoll in a plantation of trees, most of the buildings have been planted over with trees. There has been recent felling of trees surrounding the knoll. The remains of six stone built buildings and an enclosure were identified. A farmstead of 3 unroofed buildings and an enclosure is depicted on the 1st edition OS survey and the site appears on the Thomson map of 1830 but not on the Roy survey of 1750.

Structure A
A rectangular building on a NW/SE axis with internal measurements 8m x 3m. Substantial remains of stone walls to a height of 0.8m (west wall) and 0.3m (east wall) and width generally of 0.8m, with squared corners. Could be 2 entrances in east wall, no internal walls.

Enclosure B
Attached to and on west side of structure A, this enclosure is roughly 15m square. The remains of the enclosing walls are substantial - 0.5m in height, 1-1.5m in width (with tumble) and are moss-covered.

Structure C
On a small elevated ridge, this rectangular structure on a NE/SW axis, is 11m x 3m internally and has 2 compartments. It is overplanted with trees and recessed into the slope at the north end . The main/north compartment is 8m x 3m and has a small annexe or porch, measuring internally 2m square, at its NW corner where there is also evidence of an entrance. The smaller compartment to the south is 2.5m x 3m. The walls of the building are generally 0.3m in height (but 0.8m at south corner) and 1m in width with tumble internally. Squared corners. The internal wall dividing the compartments is quite substantial.

Structure D
A rectangular building on a NE-SW axis, internal measurements 10m x 2.5m with rounded corners. It is over planted with trees. There are more substantial remains of the walls at west end where they rise to 0.8m in height and 1m in width, forming a semicircular west end to the building. Grass and moss covered low stone walls to 0.2-0.3m in height and 1m in width at the eastern end. No evidence of an entrance. This structure may be a corn-drying kiln, although it is not in a suitable position for such (being quite sheltered and on the east side of the knoll), and the “bowl” is not typical, having a vertical face internally.

Structure E
Rectangular structure on a NW-SE axis measuring internally 8m x 3m. Squared corners. Remains of walls are substantial, 0.3-0.4m in height and 1m in width. May be an entrance in NE wall.

Structure F
Rectangular building on a ENE-WSW axis measuring internally 11m x 2.5m, has been over planted with trees. Walls rise to 0.5m, but 0.7m in places, and 1m in width. They are quite roughly constructed and moss covered. No evidence of an entrance. Corners at west end particularly could be rounded.

Structure G
Rectangular building on a ENE-WSW axis, internal measurements 9m x 3m. Substantial remains of walls to 0.3-0.5m height and 0.8m width, are moss covered. Evidence of an entrance at the east end of the NW wall

Photographs
1. A from SE
2. C from NE (also C from SW)
3. D (west end) from east (also D from SW)
4. E from SE
5. G from NE
6. F from east (also F from west)
M. Marshall - June 2003


NN89NW 4 8138 9758

A farmstead, comprising three unroofed buildings and one enclosure is depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Inverness-shire 1872, sheet cii). Four unroofed buildings and an enclosure are shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10000 map (1971).
Information from RCAHMS (AKK) 19 July 1996.