Monument record MHG42266 - Rock shelter & midden, Allt Na H-Uamha

NG76SE 1 767 648
The site lies at approximately 85m OD on NW-facing slope of the valley of Allt na h-Uamha, about 1.3km NW of youth hostel at Craig. It is situated at base of vertical crags which comprise the southerly side of valley at this point, just above level of the Allt na h-Uamha itself, which is mostly invisible as it runs through an area composed mainly of large tumbled boulders. The shelter consists principally of 3 enormous boulders, two of which support the third - a massive rectangular piece measuring some 4.5m in width above the 'entrance'; perhaps 2m deep at front; and about 4m from front to back. Its angle of rest is about 30. The space thus created is substantial, and diminishes in height from about 2m at the 'entrance' to 30cm or so at the back of the wedge. The internal space widens behind the two propping boulders to full width of the capping boulder, and was quite dry at the time of visit. Immediately in front of shelter is an area c3m diameter of bright green, short cropped grass through which several other large boulders protrude. It is, essentially, a mound of crushed and broken shell fragments clearly dumped in front of entrance to shelter, and covering boulders which lay strewn about area. The floor of the interior of the shelter is bare soil, with fragments of shell and bone visible; these superficial bones are probably modern, but there might be undisturbed archaeological material at a lower level.
Information from Mr R B Gourlay, 26 January 1984.