31592: LSFH 45.4 Rubha nan Carn – HOUSE; BLACK HOUSE; LONGHOUSE

Summary:

HOUSE (Post Medieval to Crofting – 1540 AD to 1950 AD)
BLACK HOUSE (Post Medieval to Crofting – 1540 AD to 1950 AD)
COW HOUSE (Post Medieval to Crofting – 1540 AD to 1950 AD)
LONGHOUSE (Post Medieval to Crofting – 1540 AD to 1950 AD)
BARN? (Crofting – 1850 AD to 1950 AD)
Blackhouse

Location:

NB 28409 16455

Full description:

"Situated on the north shore of Loch Seaforth Head at Rubha nan Carn, the remains of this blackhouse measure 10 x 7 metres and are orientated from north to south. Constructed of stone faced, earth cored walls this structure has no internal partitions, but it does have a well constructed fireplace and flue in its northern wall. A single entrance can be seen in the centre of the eastern wall. Four metres from the northern end of the western wall is another low entrance or recess that may well be the remains of an aumbrey or could represent the remains of a winnowing hole. The size and form of this house suggest it was constructed in the pre-crofting period. The presence of a fireplace and chimney in the north wall suggest that it was utilised in the late crofting period (1890 onwards) as it was not until that time that flues and fireplaces began to appear in blackhouse type constructions. It is possible that this structure was used during the crofting period as a barn. This is indicated by the presence of the winnowing hole at the end of the structure that would have been used as a dwelling during the pre-crofting period. This house has a stack yard enclosure attatched on its southern side (45.6)." (Burgess 2004, 59-60)

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.