Monument record MHG38863 - Hut Circle and structure - Kingsburgh 17 (Kingsburgh 07)

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. This was one of two similar features noted in this location, both of which appeared to be based on hut circles. Attached to the northeast side of this hut circle, which was 11m in diameter with walls 1.5m thick, was a boat-shaped structure on a SW-NE alignment which measured 6m long by 4.5m wide over walls 1.8m thick. The boat-shaped structure appeared to be secondary to the hut circle as a rough opening had been forced through the hut wall to allow access. <1>

140746 855628 Kingsburgh 007 EB216: The structure 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. EB216 and 217 (see MHG39905) make up M Wildgoose Site 17 in Kingsburgh Archaeological Survey 2003. The large enclosure bank surrounding the group of HC's EB221 (see MHG38862) EB216 and EB217 is massive, rampart-like and around 2.2m high in some parts.The enclosure is thick with bracken. Attached to the circular structure EB216 is a boat shaped structure, see sketch. The structure is submerged by thick bracken and most stones can be felt not seen. EB217 is 15m from EB216 and both structures seem identical in plan. Attached to the NE side of both HCs is a boat-shaped structure which lies on a SW-NE alignment. The 'boat' attached to EB216 measures 6m long by 4.5m wide with walls 1.8m thick. The circular HC structure EB216 has inner diameter 5.65m, outer diameter 10m with walls 1m thick, max height 0.6m. Entrance to the HC is orientated to SW, external width 0.9m, internal width 1m, passage length 1m. Inside the HC two courses of stones can be identified, but in the boat shaped structure no walling stones were identified. This structure seems to be secondary to the HC as a rough opening has been forced through the hut wall to allow access. <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 1999-2001 vertical APs [IS-L 01/02/2017].