Monument record MHG57250 - Hut circle - North Erradale 3 (AM003) (TD Hut 3)

A hut circle at North Erradale near Gairloch.

Four hut-circles and a scatter of field boundaries were recorded by T Doe in 2009 at North Erradale, near Gairloch. They are situated on a SW-facing hillside to the N of the Allt na Glaic Luachraich and North Erradale. NG 7470 8185: This hut-circle measures 7.1m in diameter within a stony bank and has an entrance on the SE. There is a rectangular hut close by. <1>

174706 881843 North Erradale 3 AM003: The hut circle was visited by A MacInnes and J Buchanan in 2009 as part of research for A Welti for a dissertation on hut circles in Wester Ross. This was part of a degree course overseen by Aberdeen University. The platform of the circular stone structure is dug into the gentle slope of the hillside. The site has panoramic views out to the sea to the west. The structure is in good condition and much of the wall facing survives. The tumble on the inner side of the N wall has become covered with grass giving a sloping floor within the HC. There are very large wall facing stones (see photo). There is an extended terminal to S of entrance passage. The S walling is thin, with only inner facing stones identifiable. The structure is circular with average inner diameter 7.15m, outer diameter 10.2m. The double skinned wall is 1.4m thick with maximum height 0.8m. The entrance faces East with width 1m. The entrance passage length is 2.8m to the S side of the passage and the entrance seems to 'fan out'. This indicates extended entrance terminals. A rectangular structure lies to SE of AM003, possibly a shieling. AM003 is recorded as a group with AM001 (see MHG53321), 002 (see MHG57249) and 004 (see MHG57251). It is 75m distant from AM001, 100m from AM002, 125m from AM004. The cluster also includes AM005 (see MHG53339), AM006 (see MHG57252), and AMC210 (see MHG57253). <2> <3>

[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 2009 vertical APs [IS-L 29/03/2017].