32041: ECC 55.2 Torastay – Garden or stackyard

Summary:

ENCLOSURE (Post Medieval to Crofting – 1540 AD to 1950 AD)
GARDEN? (Post Medieval to Crofting – 1540 AD to 1950 AD)
VEGETABLE GARDEN? (Post Medieval to Crofting – 1540 AD to 1950 AD)
STACK YARD? (Post Medieval to Crofting – 1540 AD to 1950 AD)
Enclosure, vegetable garden or stack yard?

Location:

NB 3875 2001

Full description:

"Located in a low valley on the eastern slopes of Cnocan Biorach, the rumbled remains of this enclosure are constructed against the south-western face of blackhouse (56.2/57.2). Measuring 10 x 8 metres and standing to a maximum height of 1.5 metres the remains of this enclosure are orientated from north-west to south-east and are constructed of turf with stone faces. The date of construction of this enclosure is unclear, as is its purpose, as it may have served as a stack or kale yard, or as a vegetable garden similar to that seen to the east (55.1). No entrance could be defined." (Burgess 2004, 136-137)

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.