31600: LSFH 45.9 Loch Seaforth Head – FIELD SYSTEM

Summary:

FIELD SYSTEM (Post Medieval to Crofting – 1540 AD to 1950 AD)
Pre-crofting-crofting feannagan or lazybed field system

Location:

NB 28562 16517

Full description:

"Situated on the north shore of Loch Seaforth Head, the remains of this field system dominate the whole of the eastern end of the crofts located on the shore. Consisting of a mixture of pre-crofting feannagan and crofting phase square-cut lazybeds this system is likely to have spanned the change in agricultural styles in the first half of the 19th century. The existing pre-crofting feannagan would have continued to be utilised through much of the crofting phase along with new, more intensive square-cut beds. This system is bounded on its east and north sides by a dyke constructed during the early crofting phase (26.1) and on its west side by a continuation of the field system (45.5) that covers the western extent of the crofting settlement." (Burgess 2004, 63)

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.