Monument record MHG29082 - Hut circle - Druim an Fhuarain, Skye

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

A hut circle 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. 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 is set against the east side of a small outcrop on the east facing hillside above Loch Slapin. A well-built stone wall of 1.3m thickness and 1m high surrounds an interior measuring 6m in diameter. The wall expands to 1.6m in thickness at the well-preserved southeast facing entrance. The interior has, at a later date, been sub-divided by a narrow stone wall creating two small cells. A poorly built stone dyke abuts the east side of the roundhouse just to the north side of the entrance. <1> NOTE - NGR (NH 5662 1910) appears to be incorrect.

156658 818895 Druim an Fhurain 1 (MW322/5) AMC909: 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 322/5 in JMT archaeological survey 1998 (M Wildgoose). This structure is sited to the E of a small rocky outcrop. The double skinned wall is well built and has average inner diameter 7m and outer diameter 9.6m. The wall is 1.3m thick, widening to 1.7m at the extended entrance, which faces SE and is well preserved. The wall is about 1m in height. A later narrow stone wall divides the interior into two cells, perhaps forming a sheiling. To the N side of the entrance a poorly built stone dyke abutts the E wall of the hut circle. A high forestry fence has been erected since 1998, a few metres downslope to E of the structure. This structure may be associated with other hut circles, AMC906 (800m) (see MHG29076) AM910 (400m) (see MHG), AMC911 (see MHG) and AMC912 (200m) (see MHG),and AMC908 (600m) (see MHG29077) all sited at similar elevations. <2> <3>

[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].