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Later Prehistoric/Norse
4.6 The Early and Middle Iron Age of the Hebrides is characterised by the
massive stone-built Atlantic Roundhouses, a category which includes brochs
and wheelhouses. A number of these structures have been investigated in the
past by figures such as Beveridge (eg Foshigary, Beveridge & Callander 1931)
and Scott (eg Clettraval, Scott 1948), and more recently by Armit (eg Eilean
Maleit, Armit 1998).
4.7 The Later Iron Age is characterised by figure-of-eight style houses, identified
on other islands too but only seen on North Uist at the excavations at the Udal
(Crawford 1996). Norse settlement, although deemed to have been common
due to the influence of Norse on place-names throughout the Hebrides, is
elusive. The most significant site for understanding the development of this
later period is again the Udal (Crawford 1996), as it contains the only
excavated site of the Norse period found on North Uist.
4.8 Other cultural remains are less well defined, such as the numerous kitchen
midden sites that have been found in association with other structural remains
(eg. Rubha Huilis; NF87NW 12). Similar sites recorded as mounds and a
possible souterrain (Calarnais NF77NW 4) appear to be good examples of
where cultural remains, including finds of hammer-stones, flints and burial
remains, were recorded by Beveridge (1911). Changes in local conditions
invariably showed no evidence of many of his sites during later
reconnaissance visits in1965 and 1973 (RCAHMS).
Medieval
4.9 Medieval settlement has proven difficult to identify on the island, although
two excavations have been carried out. At Eilean Olabhat (Armit 1996)
Medieval buildings were discovered re-occupying the prehistoric site, while at
the Udal a Medieval longhouse has been excavated (Crawford 1996). Slightly
later sites, of the 16 th -17 th centuries, have been recognised, for example at the
excavation at Druim nan Dearcag (Armit 1997). It is possible that a more
dispersed Medieval pattern of settlement was present, providing a continuation
of the prehistoric pattern, which was replaced by the post-Medieval bailtean of
nucleated settlements and townships (Armit 1996).
Post-Medieval
4.10 This period is characterised by baile settlements, which appear in the written
record in the 17 th and 18 th centuries. These townships and nucleated
settlements were composed of tenant farmers, and included areas of open field
and ‘lazy bed’ cultivation furrows. The Clearances of the 18 th and early 19 th
centuries had an impact upon the Hebrides, resulting in a switch to sheepfarming
and the re-organisation or removal of the population by landowners.
Settlements are characterised by blackhouses, a form of building which
continued in use until the 20 th century. A large quantity of these sites are
known and are still highly visible in the landscape today.
UISN/1051/0
15
CFA