Description

The monument is a hut circle, visible as a low rubble wall, situated on fairly level, heavily grazed pasture to the NE of Loch nan Geadas. It is a domestic structure from the Late Bronze Age or Iron Age, dating to the first or second millennium BC.

The hut circle measures 13.6m in external diameter, with enclosing faced-rubble walls 1.9m wide and up to 0.4m high. An entrance to the hut circle is visible to the E, varying in width from 1.5m on the inside to 2.5m on the outside, with the walls thickening closer to the entrance. All of the larger stones are earthfast and stable. The ground to the N of the hut circle shows traces of probable contemporary rig cultivation on an ESE to WNW alignment, although no direct association with the hut circle is present. A further, more denuded, hut circle lies 120m to the NNE.

The area to be scheduled is a circle, centred on the hut circle at NH 60089 30919, to include the hut circle and an area around it within which evidence relating to its construction and use may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

Cultural Significance

The monument's archaeological significance can be expressed as follows:

Intrinsic characteristics: A well-preserved hut circle on fairly level, improved ground next to Loch nan Geadas, the site has potential to further our understanding of prehistoric domestic structures. Lack of intensive cultivation indicates the probability of further archaeological deposits within and immediately outside the visible structure, including environmental and other evidence of associated farming techniques and practices. The adjacent rig may provide information on a contemporary field system.

Contextual characteristics: This hut circle is a component within a much wider landscape of later prehistoric upland farming settlements. Other hut circles and field systems exist 120m to the NNE, 310m to the NNW, 520m to the NNE, and 620m to the ENE. Analysis of their spatial distribution may further our understanding of settlement location, economy, and the structure of society. Information gained from the preservation and study of this site can be used to gain an insight into the wider knowledge of upland farming settlements across Scotland.

National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it is a particularly well-preserved example of a later prehistoric hut circle. It has the potential to make a significant contribution to our understanding of later prehistoric upland landuse and society, both in this locality and, by association, the rest of Scotland. It offers the capacity to enhance our understanding of upland landuse and human impact on the surrounding landscape over a greater time span. Its loss would impede our ability to understand the placing of such monuments within the landscape, as well as our knowledge of later prehistoric domestic structures and economy.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS record the monument as NH63SE30. It is recorded in the Highland Council SMR as NH63SW0030.

Aerial photographs:

RCAHMS, 1994 C 26140 Torr an Daimh.

RCAHMS, 1994 C 26366 CN Torr an Daimh.

RCAHMS, 1994 C 26138 Torr an Daimh.

RCAHMS, 1994 C 26139 Torr an Daimh.

RCAHMS, 1994 C 26143 Torr an Daimh.

RCAHMS, 1994 C 26144 Torr an Daimh.

RCAHMS, 1994 C 26148 Torr an Daimh.

RCAHMS, 1994 C 26356 CN Torr an Daimh.

RCAHMS, 1994 B 85902 CS Torr an Daimh.

RCAHMS, 1994 B 85903 CS Torr an Daimh.

References:

RCAHMS 1994, UPPER STRATHNAIRN, INVERNESS: AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY: SUMMARY REPORT, Edinburgh, RCAHMS.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland