31642: LSFH 30.3 Aird Sithaig – STRUCTURE (Medieval – 1266 AD to 1539 AD)

Summary:

STRUCTURE (Medieval – 1266 AD to 1539 AD)
Cellular structure of uncertain purpose

Location:

NB 27478 26607

Full description:

"Located at the southern end of Aird Sithaig, immediately behind the current shoreline, overlooking the northern side of Loch Seaforth Head. This substantial single cell appears to have been constructed of stone, but it is now heavily tumbled and covered with turf. Measuring 3 metres in external diameter and at least 2 metres in internal diameter, the structure is best defined on its east and north side, and is most denuded in the south-west. It is possible that this area where the circuit of its walls seems to have been lost may have been an entrance to the structure. This cell is located within the extent of the promontory enclosure (30.1) that cuts Aird Sithaig at its southern end." "Located at the southern end of the Loch Sithaig headland, this promontory enclosure is the possible site of the MacKenzie castle that is supposed to have been built at the northern end of Loch Seaforth Head during the first years of the seventeenth century (1610?). The remains visible on the ground consist of a substantial glacis rampart (30.1) with an entrance at its centre, and a number of structures behind including two large cellular structures (30.3 and 30.4) and a rectangular building (30.2) immediately inside the entrance. The enclosed area seems small today (only 11 metres from the wall to the shore), however, there are clear signs that coastal erosion has considerably shortened the length of Aird Sithaig, as several of the features recorded have been cut by recent erosion events." (Burgess 2004, 43 and 45)

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.