Ancient Monuments

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Sithean na Gearra,shielings 1750m south of

A Scheduled Monument in Wick and East Caithness, Highland

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Coordinates

Latitude: 58.3023 / 58°18'8"N

Longitude: -3.5634 / 3°33'48"W

OS Eastings: 308468

OS Northings: 935919

OS Grid: ND084359

Mapcode National: GBR K6KS.JD4

Mapcode Global: WH5CW.7LD7

Entry Name: Sithean na Gearra,shielings 1750m S of

Scheduled Date: 21 October 1991

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Source ID: SM5146

Schedule Class: Cultural

Category: Secular: shieling

Location: Latheron

County: Highland

Electoral Ward: Wick and East Caithness

Traditional County: Caithness

Description

The monument consists of a group of three shieling mounds by the banks of the Raffin Burn. The shieling mounds are fairly substantial and are reed-covered. Each mound contains the remains of small sub-rectangular buildings measuring about 4 by 3m. The area to be scheduled measures a maximum of 150m SE-NW by 80m transversely, to include the shieling mounds, a stone-built sheep fold and an area around in which traces of activities associated with the construction and use of these structures may survive, as shown in red on the attached map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance for its potential contribution to an understanding of post medieval farming practices. Shielings were built as accommodations for a small proportion of the community who tool cattle to summer pasture. The size of these shieling mounds indicates the length of time over which the rebuilding of these structures occurred.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as ND 03 NE 3.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

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