Monument record MHG7650 - Township, Doir' A' Bhaird

NG78SE 1.00 77 80 to 78 81.

NG78SE 1.01 centred NG 773 803 Township
NG78SE 1.02 centred NG 783 813 Shieling-huts; Enclosures
NG78SE 1.03 centred NG 77 80 to 78 81 Hut-circles; Enclosures; Small Cairns

(NG 773 802) An ancient settlement (c3000 BC) in an area of some 40 acres, is situated 1,350 yards from Loch-an-t-Seano-bhalle and 1,600 yards from Loch na Lairig. The remains of at least 4 beehive huts exist, 3 of which appear to be undisturbed. The fourth has about half of the perimeter wall dismantled. An 'altar' stone weighing some 4-5 tons extensive walling and a long mound were noted.
Info in letter from W J Mitchell (AO/c/xm) to OS 9 9 1964
From NG 768 800 to NG 786 814 there are the remains of a probable IA settlement area occupied later as shielings followed by more recent (pre-1850) occupation.
The probable IA settlement is indicated by some twenty hut-circles widely scattered, two enclosures and fragmentary traces of field walls of stone. The huts vary in condition from mere boulder outlines to substantial stone walls and in size from 6.0m - 13.0m overall diameter with entrances where evident in the E segment. Several have a small compartment either attached to the outer or inner face of the enclosing wall. The best preserved is at NG 7793 8090. It is 11.5m overall diameter and is formed by a heather covered stone wall, with inner and outer facings 2.4m thick and c. 0.7m high with a well defined entrance on E side. Two short stretches of wall extend NW & NE from hut, between W side of NE wall and outer face of wall is small sub-triangular compartment.
The larger of enclosures is situated at NG 7758 8045. It measures 17.5m E-W x 16m N-S overall and now consists of two concentric walls of stone, 2.3m apart (but which may have been 2.3m thick) and 0.5m max height. No definite entrance was established.
The occupation of the area as shielings is shown by the presence of some 30 shieling bothies, two of which have been constructed within older hut-circles. The bothies, built of stone, are either rectangular or boat-shaped with an average size of 5m x 3m x 0.3m, although one measures 9m x 4m. Above modern sheepfold at NG 782 813 the shieling area has been partially enclosed by a stone dyke, foundations of which are quite distinct.
Later occupation of area is indicated by remains of rectangular stone walled buildings, an enclosure, small fields or paddocks, large stock enclosures and the remains of an enclosing dyke of earth and stone extending from the Allt Mor at NG 7732 8056 to the River Sand at NG 7688 8009. There are 4 buildings (area NG 7736 8035) varying in size from 6m x 3.5m to 9m x 4m with an average wall height of 0.6m. The enclosure (at NG 7731 8036) measures 12m x 5m x 0.8m and has a rectangular compartment 6m x 3m within its NE angle. The fields are enclosed by turf covered stone walls and stock enclosures by substantial boulder walls. Two of large stock enclosures and one of small fields have a small compartment (3m x 2m average size) built against inside of the enclosing wall.
Two types of stone clearance were noted within the area. Firstly, the usual gathering of stones into small heaps, now heather-covered, and secondly, on ground thickly covered by stones and rock fragments, small cultivation plots have been created here and there by simply throwing stones aside.
Mr W Mitchell, proprietor, Gairloch Sands Estate, pointed out a small (5.0m x 3.0m) 'D' shaped stone compartment attached to the inside of the large enclosure wall at NG 7723 8045 as a "beehive". Mr Mitchell said that there were four such "beehives" in the area but these are merely stone-built boat-shaped or sub-rectangular structures and are included in the features surveyed or mentioned previously.
Visited by OS (WDJ) 11 October 1964.

Additional features discovered in 1990 include:
at NG 7742 8039 and NG 7744 8026 Sub-circular stone walled houses. and at NG 7718 8026 house platform.
Late medieval, post clearance remains include: enclosure banks, enclosed fields, sheep shelters, lambing pens, rectangular houses. New stretches of field banks were located and adjustments made to the alignment and amount of enclosure as published on the 1:10560 OS map.
Sponsor: Glenfiddich Living Scotland Award, per Gairloch Heritage Trust. L J Masters 1990.