Monument record MHG53034 - Loch Borralie West

a) Large circular structure 10.6 m in diameter externally, defined by stone footings of schist, quartz and limestone, both subangularand rounded and all undressed. There are outer and inner skins of larger boulders with a rubble core. Wall is 1.8-2 m wide and survives to two courses high in places but one course (up to 0.3-0.4 m high) for the most part, with some orthostatic facing visible. Wall incorporates outcrop in the SE arc There is a dividing wall in the interior which runs from the E arc to the W for 7 m iand then turns N for 4 m to rejoin the interior wall face in the NW arc It appears less substantial than the perimeter wall and may represent later use of the structure. Horned entrance in SW, 1.4 m deep, with 2 orthostats marking the interior face of the entrance, which is 1.65 m wide.

b) A tumbled wall extends from N side of entrance for 7.2 m to the N and runs beneath eroded sandy face. Patches of dark brown old ground surface visible outside hut circle to N. Rabbit burrowing beneath walls is also revealing archaeological deposits within/beneath them.
In base of large sandblow, c 2m below surrounding ground level.
Prehistoric hut circle and associated field or enclosure wall. Possible evidence for later re-use of the hut circle. See NMRS NC36NE 25A.
Recommendations: Trial excavation to evaluate survival of deposits, damage caused by burrowing/wind erosion and date(s) of structure's use. Control rabbits. <1><2>