Monument record MHG39410 - Hut circle, Borag Knowe

On Borag Knowe are the remains of a large enclosure formed by a boulder wall. The enclosure is incomplete, only N half being easily traceable. On S side of knoll, the fragmentary remains of a similar wall exist for some 70m. This part seems to have turned sharply westwards at its N end to meet the main wall at a large grass-covered pile of stones, possibly a clearance heap; or it may have continued northwards to meet another outer fragment of boulder wall, also terminating in a pile of stones. This latter stretch curves westwards for about 50m but stops short of the main enclosure by some 15m. It no doubt continued to meet the wall at a break in its N apex. This break, 4m wide, appears to be an original entrance.
Returning to S fragment of outer walling; it probably curved W and then NW to meet end of main enclosure. On summit of knoll, and about 30m from S outer wall, is a circle of stones, 6m in diameter with a number of loose stones within it. This would at first appear to be the remains of a cairn, but there are some curious features about it. In centre is a small dressed stone standing 0.4m high and 0.3m across each side. Just within the outer ring, on SE segment, is another erect stone, 0.5m high. In places around the perimeter there is the impression of a double ring of kerb stones 0.6m apart. This would tend to indicate that structure is a hut circle. However, there is too much confusion of stones around the site to be able to come to a definite conclusion. Some 5m S of this structure are the vestiges of a possible turf-banked hut circle, 8m in diameter; it is not well-defined; 3m to W is a curious small circle of stones 3m in diameter with a small cairn, 1m in diameter and 0.1m high, within it. About 22m SW of summit is an enclosure measuring 14 by 12m, formed by boulders standing on edge as in the outer walls. The entrance, in the W, is 1.3m wide and flanked by two large stones. On NW side of this enclosure a low pile of stones abuts on the outside. It has a rough ring of stones on its perimeter and a massive boulder on W side. It is 4.5m in diameter, but it cannot be determined if this is a hut circle with stones fallen into it, or simply another clearance heap; 12m to S is a large standing stone 1.2m high by 0.8m by 0.5m. Its purpose is uncertain but it possibly lies on the line of where the outer wall would have curved round on SW, and therefore may be part of that construction. To N and E of site are traces of old fields. Visited by OS (J L D) 24 May 1960.

(NC 975 629) Enclosures (NR) OS 6"map, (1963)

The large enclosure around Borag Knowe is as described and planned by previous OS surveyor (J L D). The 'circle of stones' on the summit (A on plan) appears to be a cairn surviving as a low pile of rubble stones, much disturbed and containing the footings of a crude later structure. Some 5m to S is a definite hut circle (B on plan), now overgrown with heather. It measures 9.5m overall diameter with a wall up to 0.3m high and spread to 2m. There is an entrance in SE. The 'curious small circle' noted by previous OS surveyor (C on plan) was identified but appears to have no archaeological significance. The enclosure (D) is as described and is of similar construction and state of preservation to the large enclosure encircling the knoll. The relationship between these latter features and the hut circle is uncertain. (See type site NC96SE 13, also NC96SE 9, 10, 14, 22, 31 and 32.)
Hut circle surveyed at 1:10,000.
Revised at 1:10560. Visited by OS (N K B) 16 November 1981.