Monument record MHG28449 - Ormsaigmore

Created automatically by NMRS Register Utility
User: Admin, Date: Fri 10 Mar 2000
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NM46SE 11.00 centred on 479 639

NM46SE 11.01 NM 479 639 Township; Field-systems
NM46SE 11.02 NM 477 639 Farmstead
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A cluster of dilapidated buildings and enclosures is situated on the SW side of a field to the N of the present Ormsaigmore farmhouse. The site occupies a gentle slope, overlooking Kilchoan Bay and the Sound of Mull. The township was occupied by at least 1716, when seven men iver the age of 16 were recorded. It is depicted on Alexander Bruce’s Plan of Loch Sunart, 1733 and Roy’s Map of 1747-55. Further detail may be available on Bald’s Plan of Ardnamurchan and Sunart, 1806-7.

At NM 4778 6381 is a long round-angled rectangular house, Site 1, 21m NE-SW by 5.50m, defined by overgrown stone rubble walls and consisting of four compartments. A tree is growing on the SE wall. 26m to the NW is a stone walled enclosure, Site 2, 24m NW-SE by 12m. To the E of the enclosure are at least four dilapidated structures; the best-preserved is a round-angled rectangular building, Site 4, at NM 4776 6386, measuring 11.50m NE-SW by 5.50m and defined by overgrown walls, 1.50m thick and 0.50m high and edged with slabs at the N corner. 5m to the S is a two-compartment structure, Site 3, 7.50m NW-SE by 4m, which has been demolished and the stone piled on top. Another two piles of rubble at NM 4776 6386 and NM 4774 6385 may mark further sites of former structures.

The NMRS suggests that this is a separate site from Ormsaigmore farmstead (SMR NM46SE0025), which was presumably a precursor of the present Ormsaigmore farm. However both sites are situated within the same field, only c. 70m apart and the OS 1st Ed. 6” map suggests that they are both part of Ormsaigmore township. Further documentary research may elucidate the relationship. Extensive remains of cultivation and walled enclosures, covering a total area of c. 600m NW-SE by c. 250m may be part of either site. These include the unenclosed rig and furrow and large enclosure, 70m NE-SW by 32m, to the SW of the site, as well as the extensive rig and furrow in the large field to the NW (containing Greadal Fhinn chambered cairn SMR NM46SE0001) and another walled enclosure to the NW recorded in 1875.
Field Verification Project (West Lochaber) - J Robertson, 03/2004
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