31618: LSFH 42.3 Mullach Breac Malasgair – SHIELING (Medieval to Post Medieval – 1266 AD to 1900 AD)

Summary:

SHIELING (Medieval to Post Medieval – 1266 AD to 1900 AD)
Sheiling

Location:

NB 30075 16330

Full description:

"Situated on the southern slopes of Mullach Breac Malasgair, 50 metres above the north shore of Loch Sgoibacleit, the fragmentary remains of this structure measure 4 metres in diameter and stand to no more than 0.5 metres tall. The inner face of this structure is clearly constructed of stone, what is not obvious is whether this was just a toe or a more substantial lining, as much of the stone appears to have been robbed, presumably for the construction of the later sheiling (42.2) located to the east. The outer face is likely to have been constructed of turf. No entrance or internal features are discernible. This structure is likely to be the remains of a beehive cell or sheiling, a form of structure thought to have its origins in the late prehistoric phase, but that may have continued in use as a building style throughout the medieval and post-medieval periods." "This group of sheilings is situated above the north shore of Loch Sgoibacleit on the south facing slopes of Mullach Breac Malasgair, where the gradient begins to reduce from near vertical to around 45 degrees at around 50 metres OD. Arranged in a line around this altitude this swarm of sheilings consists of six structures that can be divided into four broad phases. First is the late prehistoric/Norse remains (42.6) located at the east end of the line and suriving as a sub-rectilinear/boat shaped structure buried in the peat. Second are three structures that seem to be the remains of beehive, or corbelled cellular sheilings (42.1, 42.3, 42.4). The exact date of this form of structure is unclear as it seems to have its antecedants in the late prehistoric, but is thought to have been used as a building tradition through to the post-medieval period. The state of survival, and the level to which peat has encroached on these structures suggest that they date to the later end of this tradition, however, only excavation will help confirm this. The third phase of activity relates to a single sheiling (42.5) that is oval or sub-rectilinear in shape and is likely to have been roofed in a similar method to a blackhouse, perhaps with a turf finish or heather thatch. Structures such as this one are thought to date to the late post-medieval and the pre-crofting phase. Finally there is a single late pre-crofting or crofting phase sheiling (42.2). This structure, rectilinear in form is constructed with a stone lining and a turf outer face and is typical of the later sheilings found on the island. This group of sheilings repreents the continuity of the transhumance farming tradition in this area from prehistory through to the crofting period. As has been seen elsewhere, as time progresses the number of active sheilings in any one phase may reduce, so while three structures thought to date to the medieval have been identified only one pre-crofting and one crofting phase sheiling can be seen. It is likely that more of the prehistoric type structures also existed in the area but have either been built upon by later phases of activity or have been robbed for stone for later constructions." (Burgess 2004, 67-68 and 68-69)

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.