31565: LSFH 34.2 Sideval – SHIELING (Post Medieval – 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Summary:

SHIELING (Post Medieval – 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
Sheiling

Location:

NB 27814 17366

Full description:

"Situated on a bedrock knoll on the northern slopes of Sideval, the remains of this sheiling looks out over the southern side of Loch na Muilne. Surviving as a rectangle of stones measuring 4 x 3 metres and orientated from south-west to north-east the remains suggest that the structure was originally constructed in turf with a stone lining or toe on its interior. No discernible entrance can be identified, though internally there is a possible partition, 1.5 metres from the north-east end, that might indicate the edge of a sleeping platform within the sheiling. It is impossible to say whether the actual platform was located towards the south-west or north-east end of the structure." "This group, or swarm of sheilings, are located on the eastern and northern slopes of Sideval. Consisting of two rectangular sheilings, constructed of turf and with a stone toe or lining located to the north, and two curvilinear turf and stone sheilings located on the eastern slopes, this swarm seems to represent the edge of a summer grazing area that is presumably located mostly to the north and west, as the land to the east is too wet and marshy to be successfully grazed (particularly by cattle). The remains seem to suggest that earlier grazing locations were closer to Loch Seaforth Head (curvilinear sheilings 34.1 and 34.4) possibly during the medieval period. Later grazings moved north, away from the ground overlooking the loch (rectilinear sheilings 34.2 and 34.3) possibly during the post-medieval period when houses began to appear on the higher ground to the north of the loch edge (32.2)." (Burgess 2004, 47 and 48)

References:

Chris Burgess, Northamptonshire Archaeology. 2004. Northamptonshire Archaeology Archaeological Survey and Evaluation of Eilean Chalium Chille and the Putative Site of the Seaforth Head Castle. Part No Loch Seaforth Head Gazeteer.

Acknowledgement:

Information provided by Western Isles Council Sites & Monuments Record, January 2006.