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Two shieling sites are to be found 12 km west of Muir
of Ord, in the upper reaches of the Allt Goibhre, which
runs parallel and to the south of Glen Orrin. The southwest
site on the south side of the river is the larger of
the two, the smaller site on the north side of the river
lies 2 kilometres to the east . The river, the Allt
Goibhre forms the parish boundary between Kilmorack
Parish, and Urray Parish to the north.
The sites were visited and recorded by Meryl Marshall,
Ann Coombs and Annette Jack, on 15.06.02.
Southwest Shieling Site
Northeast Shieling Site
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Southwest Shieling site at
NH 4025 4800
This, the larger of the two sites, lies to the
south of the Allt Goibhre, on a north facing terrace
at a height of 300m. It is comprised of the remains
of 15 huts, 2 enclosures and a pen. The huts are
situated in an area of fertile grass land, 200m
x 50m. There appears to be two types of hut, possibly
indicating two different periods. On the flat
grassy area there are several oval mounds with
stone and turf banks. The structures on the sloping
less fertile ground, have more stone in their
construction. Extensive areas of relatively fertile
ground are to be seen on the valley floor to the
north, they contrast vividly with the landscape
which is otherwise brown and heathery.
This shieling site is very much at the northern
edge of the parish of Kilmorack, and may be connected
with the townships of Urchany which lie over the
hill, 5 kms to the southeast. A path, marked on
the current OS map and also appearing on an early
map of 1797, link the two.
At a meeting of the Presbytery of Dingwall held
at Kilmorack: "there was much discussion
of the popishe "disdaunters of the Parish
of Kilmoracke" and it was noted that in the
summer of 1673 "they were dwelling at their
shielings" (Urchany and Farley 1700-1998,
Kilmorack Heritage Trust, 1998).
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Southwest Shieling Site
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Click an image below
to see a larger one.
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Sheiling Hut 1- NH 40168 48024 - Close to the
summit of a small knoll and with a panoramic view of
the valley floor. Appears more as a depression (0.3m
deep), although there is a defining stone setting enclosing
a rectangular area on a NNE-SSW axis, measuring internally
4m x 2m. Photographed from northeast.
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Sheiling Hut 2 - NH 40164 48004 - Oval stone
setting on an E-W axis enclosing an area measuring internally
4.5m x 2m. Substantial stones surround, some 0.5-1m
across and 0.3m above general level of ground. Photographed
from west-southwest.
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Sheiling Hut 3 - NH 40175 47955 - Oval stone
setting on a NE-SW axis, measuring internally 4m x 2m.
Defined by large boulders some 0.8m across, most raised
0.2m above general level of ground. Dished at its centre.
Photographed from southwest.
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Sheiling Hut 4 - NH 40203 48024 - Oval structure
on a NE-SW axis and on a slight mound. Measures internally
3.5m x 2m . Defined by setting of large well-bedded
stones more evident at west end. (Planned).
Photographed from west-southwest.
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Sheiling Hut 5 - NH 40217 47954 - Rectangular
structure on a SW-NE axis measures 4m x 2m internally.
Defined by turf and stone banks to 0.2m in height and
1m in width with rounded corners. Grass covered. Photographed
from east northeast.
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Sheiling Hut 6 - NH 40242 48021 - An oval structure
on an E-W axis and on a raised mound of 0.4m height.
Measures internally 4m x 2m. It has a dished internal
area and is surrounded by a discontinuous stone setting.
Hollow depression 1m in diameter and 0.3m deep at NE
corner. Photographed from west.
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Enclosure/Pen 7 - NH 40246 47959 - Rectangular
structure on an E-W axis, measuring internally 4m x
3m. Constructed to the north of and using a large in-situ
boulder 3m x 1.5m in height (at the south end of its
southeast wall). Other walls are roughly constructed
of boulders and are generally 0.3m in height and with
a width of 1-1.5m (with tumble). Photographed from northwest.
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Sheiling Hut 8 - NH 40251 47930 - Rectangular
structure on a NW- SE axis and on a slight raised area.
Measures internally 4m x 2.5m and is abutting the pipeline
at its south end.
Defined by stone walls 0.3m in height and 1m in width
at north end, less distinct at south but with much tumbled
stonework, squared corners. Rushes internally. Photographed
from south.
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Pen 9 - NH 40257 48025 - Circular stone setting,
4m in diameter and sloping to the north. Grass covered.
Photographed from west southwest.
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Sheiling Hut 10 - NH 40279 48013 - Rectangular
platform on a raised knoll, 0.5m above surrounding ground.
Stones, more evident at west end, defines an oval area
of 5m x 4m
Photographed from west.
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Sheiling Hut 11 - NH 40268 47994 - An oval platform
on a N-S axis measuring roughly 4.5m x 3m. Situated
on a raised knoll 0.4m above surrounding levels at south
end, 0.8m above at north end. Little evidence of defining
banks. Photographed from north.
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Sheiling Hut/Platform 12 - NH 40278 47962 -
Rectangular platform on a NW-SE axis, measuring 4m x
3m. Defined by well bedded stone setting, slightly raised,
grass covered and with rounded corners. Photographed
from northwest.
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Sheiling Hut 13 - NH 40296 47959 - On an enhanced
spur. A rectangular building on a NE-SW axis and measuring
overall 5.5m x 2.5m (but 2m at north end). Substantial
remains of stone walls at south end, variable in height,
0.3m (but 0.5m at south end) and 0.8m in width. Evidence
of an internal partition could indicate a later building
within an earlier one, but this is not conclusive (as
17)
Photographed from east.
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Structure/?Enclosure 14 - NH 40275 47936 - Rectangular
and on a NE-SW axis, roughly measuring 10m x 2m, it
slopes towards the north where it opens onto a small
stream, no end wall here. NW wall is recessed into the
slope. Defining wall on the southeast side is 0.3m in
height and more obvious at its south end. Two large
boulders form S end. Photographed from southwest.
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Hut/Oval structure 15 - NH 40266 47925 - Oval
stone setting on a NE-SW axis and atop a small enhanced
knoll. Measures internally 3m x 1.5m. Possible entrance
at SW end. Photographed from southwest.
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?Hut 16 - NH 40319 47949 - A raised platform
on a NE-SW axis and sloping slightly to the north. Measures
5m x 3m. Some stones evident. Photographed from northeast.
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Sheiling Hut 17 - NH 40306 47933 - Substantial
ruined walls of a square structure measuring internally
2m x 2m, lying on top of an enhanced knoll. The walls
are roughly constructed of stone and rise to 0.5-0.6m
in height, 1m in width and have squared corners. There
is an entrance in the SE corner. This structure is possibly
lying on top of an earlier rectangular structure, evidenced
by a platform lying adjacent and to the NE, this is
3m x 2.5m and outlined by a substantial stone kerb,
making the earlier building roughly 5m x 2m.
Photographed from south.
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Hut/Oval structure 18 - NH 40317 47931 - Defined
by earth banks with some stones, 0.2m in height and
1m in width. Enclosing an internal area roughly 3m x
1.5m. Grass covered. Photographed from north northwest.
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Northeast Shieling Site
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Click an image below
to see a larger one.
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NH 4214 4844
Situated on a south facing slope at an altitude of 300m,
on the north side of the Allt Goibhre, two kilometres
to the east of the previous site. The site comprises
of 4 shieling huts, 2 possible stores and 2 enclosures.
The site is centred around a sheltered scooped area
in the upper part of which there is a large enclosure.
A small, fertile, grassy area lies down slope to the
south, but otherwise the site is surrounded by steep
heathery terrain.
500 metres to the east of the NE shieling site and
at a similar height, there is the remains of a small
Shooting Lodge or Shelter at NH 4270 4849.
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Northeast Shieling Site (above) NH 4214 4844
General view from the north, south wall of main enclosure
in the foreground and Shieling 1 on the grassy knoll
in the middle distance.
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Main enclosure (above) is in the upper part
of the shallow scooped area and is roughly 30m x 30m,
defined by a very wasted and tumbled stone wall. Photograph
from south.
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Small Enclosure (above) Within the large enclosure
and at its east edge there is the remains of a D-shaped
enclosure or shelter 4m x 2m set against an in situ
boulder and with an entrance at its west end. Photo
from NW
?Store NH 42118 48434. Also within the enclosure
what could be a store - a circular stone setting recessed
into the slope and 1.5m in diameter. No photograph.
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Shieling Hut 1 (above) NH 42126 48389. On a
prominent ridge or spur. Appears as an enhanced grassy
platform or mound. Difficult to define the extent although
there are some stones evident outlining an area roughly
oval in shape and 4m x 2m on a NW-SE axis. Photograph
from SE.
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Shieling Hut 2 (above) - NH 42107 48439. Substantial
remains of a rectangular structure on an E-W axis, measures
roughly 4m x 2.5m internally, recessed into slope at
north edge and a small entrance in the SE corner. Walls
1m in width and rise to 0.3m generally but 0.8m in NE
corner and at the W end. Photograph from south.
Shieling Hut 3 NH 42081 48435 Rectangular structure
on an E-W axis measuring internally 3m x 2m. Appears
more as a grassy depression but there is evidence of
surrounding earthbanks with some stones, rising to 0.2-0.3m
in height, 1m in width and covered with heather. No
photograph.
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Shieling hut 4 (above) NH 42060 48444. Rectangular
structure on a E-W axis to west of main site. Appears
as a depression with much tumble internally, roughly
3.5m x ?2.5m (difficult to discern south wall). North
wall recessed into the slope is 1m in height. Photograph
from east.
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Store/Small Shieling (above) NH 42123 48399.
On an east facing slope to the south of the main enclosure.
Measures internally 2.5m x 2m. Defined by roughly constructed
walls 0.5-0.6m in width and 0.4m in height (west wall
0.7m), heather covered. Photograph from east.
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Shooting Lodge or Shelter (above) at NH 42702
48490. The stone and mortar foundations of what was
probably a wooden L-shaped building are to be found
on the north side of the stalkers track. The foundations
consist of the outer courses of stonework, 0.5m in width
and four E-W aligned stone "joists" forming
a platform on which probably stood a wooden floor. Overall
measurement of the platform is roughly 6m x 6m, but
it has a recessed area 3m x 2m in the SW corner. A stone
step 1m x 0.6m situated at the inner corner, almost
certainly indicates an entrance. Remains of a cast iron
stove and its pipes are strewn about. Photograph from
north.
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