Monument record MHG9413 - Creag Nan Caorach

NC83SE 5 871 326

('A' NC 87103237) Enclosure (NR) ('B' NC 87073262) Enclosures (NR) ('C' NC 87063263) ('D' NC 87083247) Enclosure (NR)
OS 6"map, (1964)

This is a settlement of four hut-circles (A-D), found during field investigation (Information from OS (E G C) 21 May 1961), on the gentle, lower north slopes of Creag nan Caorach, in association with a field system. The latter, about five hectares area, is distinguished by mound of stone clearance spaced at closest 15-20.0m apart and most evident in the region of hut 'D'; measurable cultivation plots are not discernible. The huts generally reduced and heather covered, appear of similar type; all have simple entrances from the SE quarter, on the line of the longer axis when applicable.
'A' is 8.0m diameter, inside wall spread to 2.0m broad.
'B' the most robust, stands to 0.4m and is 11.5 by 10.5m internally. Some inner and outer facing slabs in the northernly side of the entrance give a wall width at that point of 2.5m; elsewhere the wall is spread to 3.0m broad.
'C' survives as a slightly raised platform, 13.0 by 11.0m rimmed with vestiges of a wall. One outer facing stone is noted in each side of the poorly preserved entrance.
'D' is 9.5 by 8.0m within a wall 0.4m high and spread to 2.0m broad. Visited by OS (J M) 20 January 1977

Four hut-circles and a burnt mound are situated within a scatter of small cairns and banks on a broad terrace on the N side of Ceag nan Caorach.

A. NC 8710 3273 This hut-circle measures 8m from NNW to SSE by 6.8m transversely within a bank 2m in thickness and 0.3m in height. The entrance is on the SSE.
(KILD91 436)

B. NC 8707 3262 This hut-circle measures 11.5m from NW to SE by 9m transversely within a stony bank 2.7m in thickness and 0.5m in height. The entrance lies on the SE and is protected by a baffle wall.
(KILD91 432)

C. NC 8706 3259 This hut-circle is levelled into the slope creating a platform measuring 10m from WNW to ESE by 8.5m transversely within a bank 1.6m in thickness and 0.7m in height. The entrance is on the ESE. (KILD91 433)

D. NC 8708 3247 This hut-circle measures 8.5m from NW to SE by 7m transversely within a stony bank 3.2m in thickness and 0.5m in height. The entrance, which is lined with boulders, lies on the SE.
(KILD91 434)

E. NC 8714 3266 This H-shaped burnt mound is situated on the edge of the terrace to the E of hut-circles 'A-D'. It measures 9m in diameter and 0.9m in height, opening out to the N and S. There is a large boulder across the centre of the 'H', and the arms of the mound almost close around the hollows.
(KILD91 431)

The cairns measure up to 6m in diameter and 0.5m in height. Short lengths of banks are interspersed amongst the cairns, in particular around hut-circle 'D'. What may be cord rig is visible on oblique aerial photographs immediately to the NE of 'D' and NE of 'C' (RCAHMSAP 1991).
Visited by RCAHMS (DCC) 15 July 1991.