Monument record MHG47939 - Achairn Burn

NMRS Report: (08/11/2005)
ND24SE 74 27708 43822

The remains of up to six subrectangular huts, their walls reduced to no more than low, grass-grown banks, are situated in peaty, heather moorland on either side of the Achairn Burn; five of the huts lie close to the W side of the burn, while what is probably a sixth is situated some 50m to the E. The southernmost of the huts on the W side of the stream (YARROWS04 775) measures about 9.8m from NNW to SSE by 4m transversely overall. The second hut (YARROWS04 776), 7m to the N, measures 3.6m from NE to SW by 2.7m over all, and the third (YARROWS04 777), immediately to its NW, measures 7.6m from NNW to SSE by 4.6m overall and contains three compartments. What may be an enclosure, measuring 5.7m from NE to SW by up to 4m transversely within a low, grass-grown bank, is situated immediately NW of the latter. The fourth hut (YARROWS04 778) is situated a further 10m N and measures 9.6m from ENE to WSW by 4.7m transversely overall; it contains two compartments linked by a doorway in the middle of the partition wall and the larger compartment, at the ENE end, has opposed entrances on the NNW and SSE. The northernmost hut on this side of the stream (YARROWS04 779) lies a further 40m N and measures 7.3m from E to W by 3.8m transversely; there is an entrance towards the W end of the S side, and an upright slab on the N is probably part of the inner face.
The possible sixth hut or, less likely, a quarry (YARROWS04 780), is situated E of the stream. It comprises a roughly oval hollow measuring about 5m from E to W by 3m transversely and about 0.6m in depth, and is enclosed on all sides except the W by a low upcast bank.
(YARROWS04 775-780)
Visited by RCAHMS (JRS, ATW) 9 September 2004.