33002: TIMSGARRY, LEWIS – CAIRN (Undated), HUMAN REMAINS (Undated), SETTLEMENT MOUND (Undated)

Summary:

CAIRN (Undated)
HUMAN REMAINS (Undated)
SETTLEMENT MOUND (Undated)
Cairn producing human bone

Location:

NB 05322 33673

Full description:

NB03SE 2 0532 3368.

(Area: 053 335) An irregularly shaped mound of unstratified sand, containing a considerable number of small boulders, lies at Sithean-na-h-Iolaire.
It measures about 60′ NE-SW by 40′ transversely and rises to a height of 5′.
Human bones have been thrown out from time to time by rabbits burrowing. RCAHMS 1928, visited 1914.

This mound is a turf-covered sand dune at NB 0532 3368. An excavation by holiday makers has revealed a quantity of closely packed stones which is probably the remains of a cairn about 10.0m in dimater placed upon the summit of the dune. Several pieces of bone, apparently human, are scattered in the excavation but no trace of a cist or chamber has been revealed.
Local tradition asserts that this is the burial place of the crew of a wrecked ship.
Surveyed at 1/10,560
Visited by OS (R L) 28 June 1969.

Human remains including a substantial piece of maxilla, revealed by rabbit-induced erosion during summer 1998. Reported by Eric John MacDonald, cook at the Lodge. MML 5.7.99

References:

RCAHMCS. 1928. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Ninth report with inventory of monuments and constructions in the Outer Hebrides, Skye and the Small Isles, Publisher: HMSO The RCAHMS 9th Report and Inventory: Outer Hebrides, Skye and the Small Isles. 22, No. 80

Acknowledgement:

Information provided by Western Isles Council Sites & Monuments Record, January 2006.