Monument record MHG57235 - Hut circle - Slat Bheinn, Skye (Cille Mhaire 11 (50c), (SG006))

A hut circle (50c - No.11 of 14) was recorded by M Wildgoose in 1999 at Cille Mhaire Glen, Strathaird, Skye, during a walkover survey in advance of a proposed forestry Woodland Grant Scheme for the John Muir Trust. The remains of an oval stone-built structure which measures 9m long by 6m wide. <1>

The site was included by M Wildgoose, with a slightly amended diameter, in a catalogue of hut circles which combined the results of surveys on the Strathaird, Torrin and Sconser Estates. It is set on a natural level terrace at the foot of the sloping southeast facing hillside of Slat Bheinn. An oval stone bank 1.2m thick and 0.2m high surrounds an interior which measures 7m northwest-southeast by 4m northeast-southwest. The wall expands to 1.6m in thickness at the southeast facing entrance. This site, although not strictly speaking a roundhouse has been included because of its proximity to sites 50a and 50c and because it 'feels right' for the period. <2>

153960 818302 Cille Marie Glen 11 (50c) SG006: The structure was visited by A Welti and S Glover in 2009 as part of research for a dissertation on hut circles in Wester Ross. This was part of a degree course overseen by Aberdeen University. The Cille Mhaire hut circles lie on similar contour lines around the well drained lower flanks of surrounding hills. Vegetation is mainly rough grassland and the slopes are covered with a mosaic of ancient land divisions. The floor of the glen, into which many small burns tumble, consists mainly of blanket bog and contans the remains of a stone circle. This oval stone structure is 50c in M Wildgoose survey of Strathaird for John Muir Trust in 1999. It is part of a group ranged along contour around 100m across, and also is close to 50a, SG005, (see MHG28977 and 50b, SG004, (see MHG57234). There were many more stones visble in the JMT survey (1999).Wall is slightly thicker at entrance although measurements not possible due to turf and heather cover. This HC is in poor condition and lies on a natural terrace at the foot of the SE facing slope of Slat Bheinne. It Is oval in shape, orientated NE-SW. Inner diameters are 7m by 4m and outer diameters are 9m by 6m. The double skinned wall is 1.2m thick and 0.25m high. The entrance faces SE and is approximately 1m in width. The wall thickness increases to 1.6m at this entrance, hence entrance terminals appear to be slightly extended. This HC is possibly associated with SG004 and SG005, both at a distance of 20m. This group is 100m from SG003 (see MHG). <3> <4>

[Note: a database was set up as part of research for the dissertation and was subsequently expanded as an extension of the We Digs Project (see website link below). The full access database can be made available to enquirers/researchers if requested - contact HER for details]

Note: NGR adjusted to position as seen on 2010 vertical APs [IS-L 22/02/2017].