Description

The monument consists of a prehistoric house and field system on an E-facing slope above the Loch of Girlsta.

The house is represented by an oval hollow some 13m by 11m, and appears to be subdivided internally, giving the impression of a smaller house with an outer "forecourt", but this may be due to selective stone-robbing. To the E of the house, beyond its entrance (which is on this side), are two fields enclosed by boulder walls.

These fields are joined by a gateway or entrance 1.0m wide. The more easterly, and larger, of the fields runs down to the loch, which forms its E boundary. The area to be scheduled is a quadrilateral, bounded on the E by the shore of the loch and on the W by the fence beside the public road. The fence is itself excluded from scheduling. The area has maximum dimensions 70m E-W by 50m N-S, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a good field example of a small prehistoric farming settlement. It has the potential, through excavation and analysis, to provide information on prehistoric agriculture, economy and social organisation.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as HU 45 SW 3.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland