Description

The monument consists of a group of remains: a broch overlain by a later rectangular building, a group of ruined blackhouses and associated enclosures, two groups of cupmarks on rocks, a causeway and two fish-traps. These remains range in date from the Bronze Age until recent times.

The broch stands to at least 2m above its original foundation, and is 14.5m in diameter. It is situated on a rocky headland. In a NNW direction from the broch are two groups of cupmarks on exposed bedrock: the nearer group, 43.5m from the broch, has 37 markings up to 2cm

deep and 9cm in diameter, while the further group, 52.5m from the broch, has thirty-five markings, of similar size range. A well-constructed rubble causeway leads across the inlet to the NW of the broch: this is 36m long and 1m wide, and stands 1.2m high. It has been capped with large flat slabs, though these are now disturbed and in some cases missing. In the same inlet, but further towards the sea are 2 stretches of walling linking a small island to the shore: these represent a tidal fish-trap. The foundations of at least three post medieval dwellings, of "blackhouse" type, are also included, with associated enclosure walling.

The area to be scheduled is irregular, and is partly between low and high water mark, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a fine group of remains of differing periods, indicating the continued importance of the location (at a junction of tidal, marine and land-based resource zones) over a long period of time. In addition several of the individual elements are of national importance in their own right. The cupmarks are members of a class only recently recognised in this area. The broch is, unnusually for Lewis, not situated on a small islet, and survives well enough to show that it has the potential to preserve important deposits which could provide evidence for contemporary economy and culture. The more recent remains have the potential to provide information concerning the extent (or absence) of development in local life-style between the late prehistoric and relatively recent times.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NB13SE 5.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland