Monument record MHG38861 - Hut Circle - Kingsburgh 15 (Kingsburgh 09)

A well preserved hut circle.

A hut circle was recorded by M Wildgoose in 2003 during an additional walkover survey in advance of a proposed forestry Woodland Grant Scheme at Kingsburgh, Skye. Lying at the foot of the slope below the northwest flank of Creag an Locha and just to the northwest of a prominent stone and turf boundary bank are the remains of a circular stone structure. Close to the boundary is a roundhouse which measures 9.5m in diameter over walls which still stand to 0.6m high and are 1.25m thick. A well-preserved entrance passage measuring 0.8m wide and 1.7m long faces to the southwest. A stone doorpost still stands to the south side of the entrance. A gentle probing with a cane revealed that 0.5m of peat lies over the hut floor. A multi-period enclosure system lies all around the site. <1>

140773 855847 Kingsburgh 09 EB218: The hut circle was visited by A Welti and A MacInnes in 2010 as part of research for a dissertation on hut circles in Wester Ross. This was part of a degree course overseen by Aberdeen University. Reported as M Wildgoose Site 15 in Kingsburgh Archaeological Survey 2003. This circular HC lies at the foot of a slope below Creag an Locha, and 8m to NW of a massive bracken infested turf and stone boundary dyke. About 6m to the N of this structure is a boat shaped structure (recorded as EB219 - see MHG39904). Its construction seems similar to that of EB218. EB218 has average diameter 6.2m, outer diameter 9.4m, wall thickness 1.5m, max height 0.6m. The entrance is orientated to SW. Its width is 1.8m externally, 1.5m internally, and passage length is 1.9m, indicating extended terminals. An upright slab 0.6m high stands at the S end of the entrance passage where there is a prominent outshot on a built up level platform. (See sketch and photos). A further orthostat 0.5m high, in the inner wall facing, stands almost opposite the entrance. A possible fallen orthostat lies beside this one. <2>

[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 08/02/2017].