Monument record MHG57242 - Hut circle - Druim an Fhuarain, Skye

A hut circle at Druim an Fhuarain, Strathaird, Skye.

Two hut circles (site 158) were recorded by M Wildgoose in 1998 at Druim an Fhuarain, Strathaird, Skye, during a walkover survey in advance of a proposed forestry Woodland Grant Scheme for the John Muir Trust. <1> NOTE - NGR (NH 5679 1911) appears to be incorrect.

The site was split into two roundhouse records and this hut circle was included (Druim an Fhuarain 3 (158.2)) by M Wildgoose, with a slightly amended grid reference, in a catalogue of hut circles which combined the results of surveys on the Strathaird, Torrin and Sconser Estates. Thirty metres to the northwest of 158.1 and up the slope. The turf-cvovered remains of a circular stone-built wall 1.4m thick and 0.35m high surround an interior which measures 7.2m in diameter. The southwest quadrant has been totally robbed away, perhaps to build the dykes which abut the southern parytof the site. A large boulder is incorporated into the surviving section of the wall on the south side of the circle. There is no obvious entrance. <2> NOTE - NGR (NH 5678 1915) appears to be incorrect.

156723 819139 Druim an Fhurainn 2 (MW 158.2/4) AMC912: The structure was visited by A Welti and A MacInnes 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 Druim an Fhurain hut circles mostly lie along 70m to 90m contours on natural terraces overlooking Loch Slapin, along the very steep eastern hill slopes of Druim an Fhurain. The structures are roughly 200 m apart. Woodland is planted on slopes below HC which is situated upslope from AMC911 (see MHG29081). The site has become infested with thick bracken making measurements more difficult than in 1998. The HC sits on a levelled natural platform on the steep E facing hillside overlooking Loch Slapin. The double skinned wall has average internal diameter 7.2m, external diameter 10m, height 0.35m, thickness 1.4m. Only tumbled wall rubble can be seen. However the 1998 survey shows inner and outer wall facings clearly. No entrance is discernable. The SW quadrant has been robbed of stone, probably to build the dykes which abutt the southern section of the HC wall. A large boulder is incorporated into the surviving section of the wall to the South (see sketch). <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 08/03/2017].