Dighty Valley - Archaeology Data Service

Turf and.stone walled enclosure
NR/211683 North of the stream which runs from SmaufI
to Port Bun Aibhne. and raised on a raft of beach pebbles is an
pval enclosure 29 ft. N..- S. x 22 ft. E. - W. within a 7 ft. wall which
is continued southwards to enclose a sub rectangular chamber 14 ft,
across both axes. The " raft" is closely adapted to the complex,
acting as flooring for both chambers, and extending beyond as a
sca'rcement 7 to 14 ft. wide. But while this " scarcement " extends
S. as two spurs beyond the smaller south chamber, an open funnelshaped
court is left, through which the entrace to the smaller room
is reached, and through It the larger. Built into the N. wall of the
larger enclosure and occupying the width of wall and scarcement
is a circular, walled, structure, 14 ft. in diameter. The outline is
suggestive of mediaeval farmhouse cum byre structures and
mediaeval analogies can be found on Lewis and St. Kilda. Probably
associated are turf and stone field dykes, small peaked clearance
cairns, and a larger raft of gathered beach pebbles. The cairns differ
in structure from the stack-like variety farther south. (Discovery
and Excavation, Scotland, 1960, p. 18," Smaoull; and 1961, p.20.
Laggan area). Located and surveyed with Mr Peter Maclellan.
Campa area
NR/202658. Some 400 yds. E. of Campa promontory, the S.
end of a small steep-sided rocky hill encloses, largely by natural
outcrop, a levelled area, almost strictly rectangular, and 30 ft.
E.-\V. x 2! ft. N. - S. internally. Slight traces of walling survive
along the south side and at the south-west corner. Despite the site
there is little sugestion of fortification, and the enclosure is probably
of an early farming period. At the N. landward end of Campa
promontory is a small, unmapped rectangular house outline, and
some 250 yds. to the north, also unmapped, a larger foundation
with traces of a much disturbed circular building close to the S. end.
All around are extensive cultivation rigs. Surveyed with Mrs F.
Newall.
Central Area. (Gearrach-Chroisprig). Cf. Childe, P.S.A.S., LXIX.
Dun Bhar-a-chlaom 1934-35, P.83.
NR/222615. Childe's description should be amended. This
fort with close-knit slab foundation course, narrow expanding
entrance, adaptation of slope to wall batter, and intermural passage,
has affinities with the galleried-barrier forts and the galleried duns.
The overall measurements are 43 ft. N. - S: x 49 ft. E. - W. The fort
proper, 24 ft. E. - W. x 12 ft. N. - S. is defended on the S. by a 12 ft.
wall, with suggestions of a gallery in a loose internal tumble, and on
N., E., and W. by two walls, each 7 ft. wide, with 5 ft. passage
between, entered from the W. Halfway down the E. slope is a semicircular
arc of walling, and at the foot of the hill, a similar arc.
Surveyed with Mr John Rennie.
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