Monument record MHG37715 - Auchnasaul

Created automatically by NMRS Register Utility
User: Admin, Date: Wed 13 Oct 2004
----
NM55SE 12.03 centred on 5680 5195


Site recorded during a survey undertaken as part of a Woodland Grand Scheme (WGS) application covering 71.6ha around Auchnasaul Farm on the SW-facing slopes above the Sound of Mull, approximately 10km W of Lochaline. There were three known sites within the survey area including two townships, Druim na Cracaig (NMRS NM 55 SE 14), and Auchnasaul (NMRS NM 55 SE 12). The settlements at Druim na Cracaig and Auchnasaul comprised the turf and stone footings of more than 30 small buildings between 4-5m wide and 4-15m long, together with enclosure walls and clearance features. Several outlying buildings of similar structure, numerous field boundaries, and areas of rig and furrow were also surveyed. These all relate to the pre-Clearance landscape. Four stone-built cottages of later date were surveyed in the SE of the survey area (NM 572 511). These were all roofed on the 2nd edition OS (1900) but now stand abandoned.
A full report has been lodged with the NMRS.
Sponsor: Historic Scotland
T Holden 1999

Two buildings and a series of substantial stone and turf dykes, situated to the W of the track leading to Old Fernish Church (NM55SE 21), were recorded during a pre-afforestation survey at Auchnasaul. The remains may be associated with either the township elements (NM55SE 12.01) to the E at NM 571 515 or to the S (NM55SE12.02).
The N extent of the remains is defined by a substantial stone-faced dyke with earthen core. The dyke is spread up to 1.5m in width and stands up to 1m in height in places. The E end of the dyke disappears into the modern plantation. W of the track, the dyke enclosures an area of rig whilst towards its W end it forms the N edge of a rectangular enclosure, measuring 55m by 80m. Immediately S of the rig, there are two buildings, and a further enclosure. The E building (at NM 5682 5296) survives as a low turf footing measuring 15m from ENE to WSW by 7.5m standing to 0.2m in height. It has a single partition midway along its length. The second building lies to the W at NM 5680 5195, on roughly the same axis. It measures 9m by 6m with walls standing up to 1.5m in places although they are generally no more than 0.3m in height. There is a door on the NW. On the SW, there is a small outshot measuring 4m by 4m. This building lies to the N of an irregularly shaped enclosure measuring about 105m by up to c.60m and defined by a stone and turf dyke 1m in width and up to 0.75m in height.
Further S, a 1.5m wide dyke standing up to 0.75m in places, defines an area of improved ground. Unlike the other features in this area, this dyke is depicted, as an enclosure, on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Argyllshire 1880, sheet liii).
T Holden and J Rideout (Headland Archaeology) 21 May 1999; NMRS 899/143 no.2