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Latitude: 58.5112 / 58°30'40"N
Longitude: -4.7 / 4°41'59"W
OS Eastings: 242808
OS Northings: 961278
OS Grid: NC428612
Mapcode National: GBR G6R7.CX4
Mapcode Global: WH26Y.SB3K
Entry Name: Port Chamuill, souterrain 500m NNW of, Loch Eriboll
Scheduled Date: 27 March 1958
Last Amended: 18 August 2004
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Source ID: SM3776
Schedule Class: Cultural
Category: Prehistoric domestic and defensive: souterrain, earth-house
Location: Durness
County: Highland
Electoral Ward: North, West and Central Sutherland
Traditional County: Sutherland
The monument comprises a souterrain of prehistoric date situated in rough grassland at c25m OD. It is a subterranean, passage-like structure covered with a turfed-over mound. The monument was first scheduled in 1958 and was re-scheduled in 1975, but an inadequate area was included to protect all of the archaeological remains: the current scheduling rectifies this.
The monument consists of a gallery c9m in length, 1 to 1.5m wide and c1.75m high, leading to an end chamber c1.6m wide and c1.4m high. Both gallery and chamber are of dry-stone construction roofed with stone lintels. Entrance to the monument is via a flight of twelve stone steps forming an entrance passage 3m long and 0.8m wide. The souterrain is covered with a mound measuring c24m in diameter and c1.5m high, incorporating the remains of a much-denuded hut circle of which only the SE arc survives.
The area now to be scheduled is rectangular on plan measuring c60m WSW-ENE and 45m transversely, including the features discussed and an area between and around them within which evidence for their construction and use would be expected to survive, as marked on the accompanying map extract in red. The NW edge of the area is bounded by the edge of the public road.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
The monument is of national importance as a well-preserved example of this type of monument that offer the potential to answer important questions concerning the nature of highland settlement and economy during later prehistory.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Bibliography
The monument is recorded by RCAHMS as NC46SW 2.
References:
Buxton R 1935, 'Earth-house at Portnacon, Sutherland' PROC SOC ANTIQ SCOT 69, 431-3.
Close-Brooks J 1986, EXPLORING SCOTLAND'S HERITAGE: THE HIGHLANDS, Exploring Scotland's Heritage Series, Edinburgh No. 87, 155.
Close-Brooks J 1995, EXPLORING SCOTLAND'S HERITAGE: THE HIGHLANDS, Exploring Scotland's Heritage Series, 2nd edition (edited by A. Ritchie), Edinburgh No. 96, 33; 136; 152.
ORDNANCE SURVEY (NAME BOOK), Original Name Books of the Ordnance Survey, Book No. 11, 18.
RCAHMS 1911, SECOND REPORT AND INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS AND CONSTRUCTIONS IN THE COUNTY OF SUTHERLAND, Edinburgh No. 160, 55.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
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