Description

The site comprises a group of at least 20 circular and sub-circular features surviving as submerged features around the north and south shoreline of Loch Eye. It is suggested that the monument comprises a mix of natural and man-made features.  

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The cultural significance of the site has been assessed as follows: 

Intrinsic Characteristics 

At least 20 relatively small circular, sub-rectangular stone and linear features were observed during a dry period in 1972 around the shore of Loch Eye. These features are now generally submerged below the loch's waterline. The features are between two and five metres in diameter (between three and four metres across for the sub-rectangular examples). Narrow stone causeways have been observed at some of these features, connecting them to the shore. The origins and function of these features remain unclear. Various suggestions have been made including prehistoric round houses, fowling hides or bothies, and flax retting ponds. 

A recent review of available aerial imagery has rejected the original interpretation that they were prehistoric round houses because of their very small size. Instead, some are likely to be artificial stone heaps, possibly fishing stands and/or the result of clearance activities. Other features are scooped in nature, perhaps the result of small-scale gravel extraction, while some may be the result of natural processes. 

Contextual characteristics 

The group of remains and their distribution around the shoreline of Loch Eye are interesting. It is possible they represent various quarrying, fishing and clearance activities, however there is no evidence indicating they are the remains of prehistoric settlement. There is insufficient evidence to confirm the nature of these activities or their date. The wider, contemporary context of these features cannot, therefore, be determined. 

Associative characteristics 

There are no known associative characteristics that significantly contribute to the national importance of this monument. 

National importance

The site does not meet the criterion of national importance. It retains some structural attributes likely representing a mix of fishing stands, gravel extraction scoops and natural features. These are of unknown date but may be relatively recent. Such features are not of national importance – they are not rare, they have limited research potential and although they may have the potential to add to our understanding of land use in this area, this makes a limited contribution to our understanding or appreciation of the past.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

Historic Environment Scotland https://www.trove.scot/place reference number TROVE ID 15270 (accessed on 08/12/2023).

Local Authority HER/SMR Reference MHG8445 (accessed on 08/12/2023).

Source: Historic Environment Scotland