Monument record MHG28973 - Hut circle - Cille Mhaire Glen (MW41, AMC903), Skye

A hut circle at Cille Mhaire Glen, Strathaird, Skye.

A hut circle (41 - No.8 of 14) was recorded by M Wildgoose in 1997 at Cille Mhaire Glen, Strathaird, Skye, during a walkover survey in advance of a proposed forestry Woodland Grant Scheme for the John Muir Trust. The remains of a 10m diameter stone hut circle built on a negative platform on the west facing hillside. It lies 90m south of Site 40 (see MHG28972). <1>

The site was included by M Wildgoose, with a slightly amended grid reference, in a catalogue of hut circles which combined the results of surveys on the Strathaird, Torrin and Sconser Estates. It lies on a negative platform on the lower northwest slope of Nead an Fhir-eion, just 30m to the south of the modern wire fence which runs up/down the slope. It overloooks the Abhainn Cille Mhaire. It consists of a circular earth and stone bank 1.5m thick and 0.3m high which retainsonly fragments of its stone facing. The interior which measures 7.5m in diameter is now very wet and soft. The wall expands to 2m at the southwest facing entrance which is well defined and 1.5m wide. A large level platform which measues 8m north to south by 5m east to west lies in front of the hut entrance. A small ramp gives access to the northwest side of this platform. Just within and to the south side of the entrance are the remains of a small stone pen or enclosure which measures 1.5m in overall diameter. <2> NOTE: NGR incorrect

154732 818453 Cille Mhaire Glen (MW40/7d) AMC903: The structure was visited by A Welti and A MacInnes in 2009 as part of research for a dissertation on hut circles in Wester Ross. This was part of a degree course overseen by Aberdeen University. This site is 40/7c in JMT archaeological survey 1998 (M Wildgoose and S Birch). It and AMC902 are probably linked to the Cille Mhaire group on the other side of Abhainn Cille Mhaire. This group is visible from the site. The HC overlooks the Abhainn Cille Mhaire and lies on a negative platform cut into the lower SW slope of Nead an Fhir-eoin, 50m to S of a modern wire fence. It consists of a circular earth and stone bank, height 0.3m, average inner diameter 6.75m, outer diameter 9.75m. Wall thickness is 1.5m expanding to 1.75m at the W facing entrance. The entrance width is 2.4m externally and 1.5m internally, entrance length is 1.7m, indicating expanded entrance terminals. In front of the entrance is a level platform, 8m x 5m (see sketch), with a small ramp giving access to the N side of this platform. Inside the entrance and to its S side are indications of a small stone enclosure, diameter 1.5m. This HC may be associated with AMC902 (see MHG28972), at a distance of 70m, also with AMC904 (see MHG) at a similar elevation, (350m), and also with AW703 (see MHG), 704 (see MHG), 705 (see MHG) (300m) on the W bank of Abheinn Cille Mhaire. <3> <4>

[Note: a database was set up as part of research for the dissertation and was subsequently expanded as an extension of the We Digs Project (see website link below). The full access database can be made available to enquirers/researchers if requested - contact HER for details].

Note: NGR adjusted to position as seen on 1999-2001 vertical APs [IS-L 15/03/2017]