Building record MAB33627 - WEST BURN

Remains of four sheiling huts, three of which are shown on the 2nd edition OS map.

Remains of four sheiling huts, three of which are shown on the 2nd edition OS map. The shieling-huts were recorded by Headland Archaeology during a survey of the Balnaboth Estate. They are aligned, from northwest-southeast, along the axis of the ridge. The northwest end of the northernmost structure has been eroded away by the burn. It is otherwise well preserved and measures 9m x 4m over stony banks spread up to 1.5m in width and standing up to 1m in height. The entrance, which faces the burn, is on the south-west. A subrectangular platform, measuring 3.5m by 4m, set at right angles to the north-east side of the hut may have been a small yard or possibly the remains of an earlier building. On the south-east there is an oval shieling-hut measuring 8m x 3.5m over stony banks 1.2m wide and 0.5m high. There is a single partition creating two chambers: the entrance to the south chamber opens onto the burn whilst the north chamber is entered from the north. Further south along the ridge there is a third shieling-hut. It is oval and measures 7.5m x 4m over stony banks spread to 1.2m in width and standing up to 0.5m high. A depression in the south end may indicate the entrance. This southernmost shieling-hut measures 21m x 4m overall defined by banks 1..2m wide and 0.6m high. It is subdivided into three compartments measuring 7m x 2m, 5m x 2m and 4.5m internally. There is a possible entrance in the south-west end of the building. A small platform, measuring 3m x 2.5m, which lies outside the south end of the building may have been a yard.

DALLAND, M, 1998, BALNABOTH ESTATE,GLEN PROSEN : ARCH. SURVEY, 9-10 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2434.

Record last edited

Apr 15 2024 12:25PM