31567: LSFH 34.4 Sideval – SHIELING?

Summary:

SHIELING? (Medieval to Post Medieval – 1266 AD to 1900 AD)
KERB CAIRN? (Early Prehistoric – 500000 BC to 4001 BC)
Possible sheiling

Location:

NB 27948 17032

Full description:

"Located on the east facing slopes of Sideval, the remains of this oval structure measure 5 x 3 metres and are orientated from north to south. Standing a maximum of 0.4 metres tall the structure appears to have an external stone tor or kerb and a significant hollow in its centre. This feature has been interpreted as a curvilinear sheiling, but may represent the remains of a kerb cairn that has been robbed internally, causing its centre to look depressed. No sign of an entrance or internal features could be discerned." "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, 47-48)

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.