Monument record MHG57343 - Hut circle - Achiltibuie

A hut circle near Achiltibuie.

(NC00NW 8 0295 0874)
At NC 0295 0874 are the remains of a circular structure, 13.5m in diameter, found under a depth of peat about 40 years ago. On a quite flat part of a generally marshy area, it consists of a foundation wall, 1.0m thick and 0.2m high with a possible narrow entrance in the SE. This feature is probably a large hut circle similar to others in the area. The walling is rather narrower than usual but this may be due to the fact that the lower, wider part of the wall is still under the peat. Visited by OS (F R H) 31 May 1962.

(NC 0295 0874) Hut Circle (NR)
OS1:10,000 map, (1971)

As described.
Visited by OS (A A) 16 July 1974.

In the rough ground surrounding a post-medieval enclosure on the ridge, which is known as Bad a' Chotair, there are nine hut-circles which have previously been described under NC00NW 8, 9, 13, 14, 15 and 16. Four measure about 12m in internal diameter, one is 9.2m, and the remaining four are about 7.5m; all are surrounded by banks up to 1.5m in breadth and, where visible, the entrances lie on the S or SE. Two (ACHIL94 362, 378) have baffle walls at the entrance. What may have been other hut-circles, identified by the OS (NC00NW 16 B and D), were not located on the date of visit whilst a third (NC00NW 14 B) is no more than a small enclosure. Juxtaposed, but not necessarily associated, with the hut-circles, there are numerous stretches of stony field banks and small cairns. The banks occasionally form enclosures or fields but are often little more than linear clearance heaps. The banks to the N of Bad a' Chotair were previously described under NC00NW 21.

(ACHIL94 373)
Visited by RCAHMS (JBS) 9 August 1994

RCAHMS has now merged a number of individual records. All the old Sites and Monuments Record cards can be viewed from this current record. <1>

The decision to replicate what was carried out by the former RCAHMS has been revoked. All previously merged records have been re-instated. <2>

202956 908732 Achiltibuie Post Office 2 CMM002 (ACHIL94373): The hut circle was visited by A Welti and C MacNeilage in 2010 as part of research for a dissertation on hut circles in Wester Ross. This was part of a degree course overseen by Aberdeen University. CMM002 is one of a cluster of 12 circular stone structures situated near to Alt Bad a Chotair on slopes to the East of the Achiltibuie Post Office. There may be associations between some or all of these structures. The terrain consists of well grazed rough heather/ grassland with marshy areas. CMM002 is 30m from the Alt Bad a Chotair and 900m from the sea. All the structures have panoramic views both inland and to the sea. All the 12 circular stone structures are around 2000m north of the broch at Achlochan. Average inner diameter is 12.9m, outer diameter is 14.65m. The double skinned wall is 1.5m thick with maximum height 0.2m. No entrance can be discerned. The low ring bank is covered with heather and grass to the north, and rushes and moss to the south and east. The bank on the east side drops away into a marsh. The interior of the HC is very marshy. A turf wall runs west of the HC in a north/south direction and there is a later stone wall to the west. Field systems both ancient and more recent are visible, and there is a burnt mound close to this HC. 20m to W from CMM002 at NC02937 08699 (see MHG) there is a circular platform, with a measurable arc 8m diameter on its NE side, and another small circular platform diameter 5m situated 3m from CMM002 at NC02956 08711. CMM002 is distant 200m from CM001 (see MHG57344), from CM002, and from CMM003 (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].

NGR adjusted to position as seen on 2009 vertical APs. <5>