31588: LSFH 5.14 Sideval -CAIRN

Summary:

CAIRN (Early Prehistoric – 500000 BC to 4001 BC)
KERB CAIRN (Early Prehistoric – 500000 BC to 4001 BC)
Kerbed cairn

Location:

NB 28025 16709

Full description:

"Situated on a low knoll 30 metres above the noth shore of Loch Seaforth Head, on the southern facing slopes of Sideval, the remains of this cairn measure 4 metres in diameter and stand no higher than 0.1 metres. The remains of a kerb may be seen, consisting of five stones, four of which are regularly sized (0.4 x 0.4 metres) and stand proud of the cairn to a height of 0.4 metres. These stones are located at the north-west, north-east, south-east and south-west sides of the cairn forming a square or sub-circular shape around its perimeter. This structure is located to the north-east of the stone circle (5.13) with good views of that feature, on a natural spur that forms a small flat area and prominent location between two of the small streams that drain down the southern slopes of Sideval into Loch Seaforth Head." Part of a ritual landscape. "Including the stone circle and setting on Cnoc nan Clach and the standing stone at Sildonis (NB21NE04) this landscape seems to dominate the slopes above the south-western end of the sea loch – Loch Erisort. Other elements might include the spring or well (5.4) located in the valley immediately to the west of Cnoc nan Clach and the chambered cairn located ca 1000 metres to the south of the burn that runs past its west side (5.5)." (Burgess 2004, 56-57 and 21)

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.