Monument record MHG5615 - Druim an Lochain, Sanday

NG20SE 19 2800 0427.

Footings of two rectangular buildings, one measuring 14.5m NE-SW by 3.5m within a wall averaging 1.2m thick, with a cross-wall c. 3.0m from the SW end. The other, immediately N, measures 8.0m NW-SE by 3.9m within a wall 1.2m thick; entrance in the SE gable. Walls of each house slightly bowed with rounded gables, reminscent of Viking longhouses, but their condition suggests they are not earlier than the late medieval period. Visited by OS 29 May 1972.

These two drystone buildings, dimensions as given by OS, are arranged to frame a yard, open to the S, but protected on the N and E by the buildings, and on the W by a cliff. The gable walls of both buildings are straight internally and gently rounded externally, with well-rounded corners. The E long wall of the large building bows outwards very slightly between the cross wall and the N gable, but the W wall is gently sinous. There is no visible bowing of the long walls of the smaller building. They do not resemble Viking longhouses. The plan, layout, character of the masonry and preservation all combine to argue that this is a farmstead of recent date, probably later than the 'late medieval period' suggested by OS. Visited April 1977.
L Alcock 1983.