Monument record MHG29076 - Hut circle and shieling - Druim an Fhuarain, Skye

A hut circle and shieling at Druim an Fhuarain, Strathaird, Skye.

A shieling was recorded by M Wildgoose in 1998 at Druim an Fhuarain, Strathaird, Skye, during a walkover survey in advance of a proposed forestry Woodland Grant Scheme for the John Muir Trust. <1>

The site was included as a hut circle (Druim an Fhuarain 6 (153)) 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 natural platform on the east facing hillside overlooking Loch Slapin. A very degraded circular structure measures 13m in overall diameter. A short length of wall facing survives on the northeast side, otherwise the site is reduced to a low earth bank. A small single-celled shieling overlies the southern side of the circle. <2>

156637 819933 Druim an Fhurain 7 (MW153/6) AMC906: 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. The Druim an Fhurain hut circles mostly lie along 70m to 90m contours on natural terraces overlooking Loch Slapin, along the very steep eastern hill slopes of Druim an Fhurain. The structures are roughly 200 m apart. This circular stone structure is 153/6 in JMT archaeological survey 1998 (M Wildgoose). This circular structure is very degraded (see sketch). It consists of a low earth bank, dug into the slope, with a short length of wall facing on the NE side. The inner diameter could not be measured, the outer diameter averages 13m. The S side of the circle is overlain by a single cell shieling. No entrance is discernable. This structure may be associated with other hut circles, AMC908 (see MHG), 910 (see MHG), 911 (see MHG), 909 (see MHG), sited on similar elevations at distances between 200m and 800m. <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 2010 vertical APs [IS-L 08/03/2017].