Scotland’s First Settlers

Section 2

with contributions by Steve Ashby (bone comb report), Phil Austin (charcoal), Ann Clarke (coarse stone tools), Fraser Hunter, Andrew Heald & David Caldwell (metal and glass), Ann MacSween (pottery), Nicky Milner (shellfish), Jacqui Mulville & Adrienne Powell (animal bone), and Rachel Parks (fish bone).

This section provides information on all sites where artefactual material was recovered. It includes sites that were test pitted, shovel pitted or sites where surface collections took place. It does not include sites with surface midden that were not test pitted. These are listed in the catalogue of all sites (Appendix 1) and discussed in Section 2.1.

2.2.1 SFS 185: Achintee, Strathcarron, NGR NG 9430 4180

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 2002
Survey Area: Loch Carron
Size: Unknown
Aspect: North-west
Height OD: 20m
Ground Cover: Grass/boggy
Distance to Sea: 300m
Distance to Fresh Water: On-site
Threats: Ploughing/grazing
Description: A lithic scatter located on a massive river terrace (20m OD) to the south-east of the river delta at the point where the River Taodail and the Allt an t-Sagairt join the River Carron (see Illustration 45, right; raised beach on which shovel pits revealed a lithic scatter of general prehistoric date)
Archaeology: Shovel pitting

Two transects of 12 and 18 shovel pits were laid out in adjoining fields (see Illustration 81, right). Achintee has not been ploughed in recent memory and no beach material was found. A well-sorted plough soil 90–300mm deep overlay the river gravels.

Finds

Lithics: There were three lithic finds: two regular flakes (one of bloodstone and one of chalcedonic silica) and one piece of bloodstone debitage. These pieces formed a distinct group on a slightly raised section of the terrace, though they were few in number. Not far away, Shovel Pit 30 produced a heavy concentration of charcoal at the interface between plough soil and the underlying deposit.

Discussion

The lithics and charcoal suggest that activity has taken place at Achintee in the past, probably in prehistory. The lack of material suggests that the archaeological potential of the site is limited.

2.2.2 SFS 95: Achnahannait Bay, NGR NG 5140 3755

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: South Trotternish, Skye
Size: Unknown
Aspect: North-east-facing
Height OD: 10m
Ground Cover: Grass
Distance to Sea: 25m to north-east; open pebble beach
Distance to Fresh Water: 25m to south-east
Threats: Erosion is occurring along the cliff edge and there is a danger of additional damage due to animal pressure as this is an area of enclosed grazing
Description: A small lithic scatter located on eroding edge of a raised beach above a small bay (see Illustrations 82, right; and 83, lower right)
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Lithics: There were four lithic finds: Three regular flakes of chalcedonic silica and a debitage flake of baked mudstone. Collection was made during survey and all finds came from the surface.

Discussion

The lithics suggest human activity, probably in prehistory.

2.2.3 SFS 68: Allt na Criche, NGR NG 6828 5037

Type of Site: Multiple rockshelters with midden
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: Mid Applecross
Size: Various
Aspect: North-facing on a 30° slope
Height OD: 50m
Ground Cover: Grass and bracken
Distance to Sea: 150m to the north-west; shelving rock
Distance to Fresh Water: 200m to the south-east
Threats: Both accreting and eroding, animal grazing and use of shelters
Description: An extensive area of sandstone gullies, platforms and rockshelters at a height of at least 30m OD (see Illustrations 84, left; and 85, right). A minimum of five small shelters was recorded, with varied aspects but spatially close together. Shell midden and lithics were visible on the surface at two of the shelters
Archaeology: Survey, test pitting

Three test pits were excavated here in two overhangs and on an open terrace some 10m away.

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m). This test pit (aligned east—west) was excavated on top of a possible artificial platform formed by an arc of grass-covered stones outside a north-facing rockshelter. The shelter itself is 1.5m high×2m wide×1.5m deep. Crushed shells were visible on the grass and clover surface prior to excavation.

• Context 6811 Daisies and grass
• Context 6812 Broken shells in a black peaty matrix
• Context 6813 As 6812 with a mid brown matrix
• Context 6814 Periwinkles in a black peaty matrix
• Context 6815 Laminated ash lenses within 6814
• Context 6816 Brown silty sand and cobbles

The top four contexts are all part of an occupation zone comprising artefacts, shells, crushed shells, ash lenses and periwinkles in variations of peaty matrix. Context 6816 is possibly a construction layer associated with the building of the platform. Bedrock was not reached in this trench due to the presence of large stones (rockfall?), which hindered further excavation (see Illustration 86, above right).

Test Pit 2: (1m×0.5m) was positioned in a separate rockshelter some 15m to the west of and facing the first. The shelter faces east and is of a similar size to that on the site of Test Pit 1. The test pit was aligned WNW—ESE.

• Context 6821 Turf
• Context 6822 A thin shell midden of periwinkles and limpets
• Context 6823 A layer of black silty sand and angular cobbles
• Context 6824 Clean sand and cobbles
• Context 6825 Bedrock
• Context 6822 is part of an occupation zone containing midden material with finds. This lies on a natural beach directly overlying bedrock (see Illustration 87, right).

Test Pit 3: (1m×0.5m) was positioned on an open west-facing slope between a small rockshelter and an area of surface shells some 10m to the south of Test Pit 1 but separated from it by a ridge of sandstone bedrock and jumbled slabs (see Illustration 88, right).

• Context 6831 Turf and jumbled surface cobbles
• Context 6832 A series of turf-lines and occasional stones indicating gradual accumulation of material
• Context 6833 A layer of natural sand, probably beach-derived
• Context 6834 Bedrock

The stratigraphy of Test Pit 3 was natural. There was no shell midden or other sign of human activity within any of the contexts but the presence of shells at the surface nearby suggests that activity took place somewhere close.

Finds

Lithics: There were 59 lithic finds from two test pits (Test Pit 1 and Test Pit 2; Table 16, below). All were of chalcedonic silica or quartz. Interestingly, Test Pit 1 yielded mainly regular flakes while Test Pit 2 yielded mainly debitage. It would seem that tool manufacture and use was carried out.

Coarse stone: The finds from Allt na Criche include a worn faceted cobble (ST26), which has parallels on other later prehistoric sites.

Table 16
SFS 68	Test Pit 1	Test Pit 2
Totals (59)	10	49
Quartz debitage	1	42
Quartz regular flakes	4
Chalcedonic silica debitage	3	5
Chalcedonic silica regular flakes	2	2

Table 16: Lithics from SFS 68, Allt na Criche

Bone tools: Two bone tools were found. One very fine point (BT133) was found in Test Pit 1, Context 6814 (see Illustration 89, right: Fine point number five in illustration – from left to right, SFS 58 (BT136), SFS 105 (BT134), SFS 20 (BT132), SFS 17 (BT135), SFS 68 (BT133)). A piece of long bone (BT140) with one end badly abraded was found in Test pit 2, Context 6821.

Metalwork: A possible buckle or brooch pin of copper-alloy was found in Test Pit 2. It is broken at both ends and bent, but rectangular in section and tapers along its length, with four V-shaped notches on one edge at the articulating end; this has solder on the reverse from fastening the return of the pin round a bar. There are burnished areas and file marks on both faces. From the same test pit came a circular-sectioned fine rod bent into a circle, the ends slightly overlapping (see Illustration 90, near right; metal no 41). The alloy is brass and it appears to have been tinned or silvered (this could not be confirmed analytically given the small areas involved). Test Pit 1 Spit 2, yielded a knife fragment of iron with a stepped tang and the remains of a wooden handle (see Illustration 91, far right; metal no 42). The edge shape is unclear but the rapid taper suggests that it has been heavily re-sharpened.

Bone: There was some red deer but it derived from surface layers and shows evidence of root etching, associated with surface material. Sheep bones comprised a radius, charred humerus and tooth fragments. The only other material was from small mammals, some of which was charred: water vole, bank vole and mouse. The burnt material was recovered from four contexts (6812, 6814, 6822 and 6823), suggesting anthropogenic activity.

Shell: Limpet and periwinkle dominate throughout (Table 17, below). A number of other species are present but in very small numbers (see Illustration 92, below).

Illus 92: SFS 68, Allt na Criche, limpet and periwinkle, weight in grams for individual species by context

Dates

There were three radiocarbon determinations from this site (see Table 18, below). One came from Test Pit 1 and was securely stratified within context 6814 which was a layer of periwinkles in a black peaty matrix. The two others came from Test Pit 2, both from context 6823, a layer of black silty sand underlying shell midden. Two dates point to activity in the latter years of the first centuries BC or early decades AD and one date suggests much later activity in the 16th century AD.

Table 18
SFS 68 Context	Reference	Material	Date BP	Age
TP1 C6814	AA-50687	hazelnut shell	2095±40	210BC–10AD
TP2 C6823	AA-50685	hazelnut shell	2060±40	180BC–30AD
TP2 C6823	AA-50686	hazelnut shell	340±30	1470–1640AD

Table 18: SFS 68, Allt na Criche, Radiocarbon dates, see Section 4

Discussion

The lithics are undiagnostic, the coarse stone might be later prehistoric and the metalwork suggests activity between the Early Historic and the post-medieval periods. The radiocarbon determinations support activity in the Early Historic period, with some separate later activity. The local topography means that this site affords considerable protection from the elements and this is likely to have been so in early as well as in more recent times.

2.2.4 SFS 10: Allt na Uamha (also known as Craig), NGR NG 7679 6490

Type of Site: Rockshelter with midden
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: Torridan
References: Gourlay 1984; Pollard 1994
Size: 3m×3m×3m
Aspect: North-west-facing on a 25° slope
Height OD: 85m
Ground Cover: Grass
Distance to Sea: 500m
Distance to Fresh Water: 10m to north-west
Threats: Animals
Description: A north-west-facing boulder shelter with a large shell midden in front (see Illustration 42, right)
Archaeology: Shovel pitting, test pitting

SFS 10 was visited on three occasions. During the first visit, two shovel pits (SP1 and SP2, 300mm×300mm) were dug in the shell midden and in the centre of the rockshelter to attempt to assess nature of the midden. Shovel pits were stopped at 330 and 320mm deep after revealing that the midden was 98% limpet shell. Finds included small fragments of bone. Based on the interpretation that the midden might well be early, it was decided to return to excavate a single test pit. During a second visit, one test pit was dug in the shell midden just outside the rockshelter overhang (see Illustrations 93, left & 94, right). A third visit took place during which intensive surface survey within the shelter revealed flaked lithics. During this visit, a third shovel pit (SP3) was dug, in the boulder shelter. This extended to a depth of 620mm. Further lithics were encountered at the base of this shovel pit.

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) was dug in the shell midden; it contained five contexts (see Illustration 95, right).

• Context 1 Immediately below the turf: a layer of crushed shell (limpet and periwinkle)
• Context 2 Whole limpet and periwinkle midden in a black soil matrix. Contains charcoal, pottery and bone fragments
• Context 3 Clean whole limpets and periwinkle, possibly lying in stacks, in a matrix of soft greyish ash. Contains bone and charcoal
• Context 4 Black gritty soil with large stone and shell. Contains charcoal and bone
• Context 5 Stone blocks with some voids set in a matrix of decayed sandstone. Basal deposit

Finds

Lithics: No lithics were initially visible here, and the test pit did not yield stone tools, but on a third visit lithics were recorded from the surface of the midden within the shelter, and a third small shovel pit was made from which further material was recovered. There were eight lithic finds, all, with one possible exception (a flake that may be of baked mudstone), of chalcedonic silica. There were two debitage pieces; four regular flakes; and two small thumbnail scrapers.

Bone tools: BT139 was found in Shovel Pit 1. It is a badly eroded piece that was possibly a point.

Coarse stone: There was a rounded hammerstone made on a large cobble.

Pottery: The test pit yielded 14 small sherds of sandy pottery.

• Context 1:
  • 11 body sherds, slightly abraded. The fabric is fine sandy clay with occasional rock fragments which has fired hard and is grey with a brown exterior margin. Interior surface sooted. Th 4mm; Wt 8g.
• Context 2:
  • One body sherd, fresh. The exterior surface is smoothed. The fabric is sandy clay which has fired hard and is grey with a red interior surface. The exterior surface is sooted. Th 6mm; Wt 5g.
  • One body sherd, abraded. The exterior surface is smoothed. The fabric is sandy clay with occasional mixed rounded and angular rock fragments which has fired hard and is grey. The interior surface is sooted. Th 7mm; Wt 4g.
  • One body sherd, fairly fresh. The exterior surface is smoothed. The fabric is fine sandy clay which has fired hard and is red. Th 7mm; Wt 2g.

Bone: Mammal and fish bone was recovered from the test pit and Shovel Pit 3 (see Tables 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23, all below; and Hardy & Wickham-Jones 2002:18). Mammal bone (NISP of 109) was recovered from four of the excavated contexts from the test pit; main identified species were cattle and red deer. Specimens of medium-sized mammal and small mammal were also recorded. A small amount of fish bone (NISP of 17) was recovered from Contexts 1, 3 and 4. This included single specimens of cod, either cod, saithe or pollack and a member of the cod family. The shovel pit contained 170 mammal bone fragments including diagnostic mammal elements of sheep, and a member of the deer family. Slightly more fish bone was recovered from the shovel pit than the test pit (NISP of 35); species recorded were cod, either cod, saithe or pollack, Atlantic herring and members of the cod, wrasse and plaice families. Root etching was noted on three unidentified mammal bone fragments and carnivore gnawing on one unidentified mammal fragment. Chop marks were recorded on one unidentified mammal fragment and one cattle radius, cut marks were also noted on one unidentified mammal fragment. Skip Tables.

Table 19
Taxon	Context				Test pit total NISP	Shovel pit NISP
	1	2	3	4
Mammal
Sheep						2
Cow		2	1		3
Red deer		1	1		2
Deer family						1
Medium mammal 1	1				1	1
Small mammal		1			1
Total QC1	1	4	2		7	4
Total QC0 and QC4	29	27	34	12	102	166
Total mammal	30	31	36	12	109	170
Fish
Cod			1		1	3
Cod/saithe/pollack				1	1	2
Cod family	1				1	1
Atlantic herring						1
Wrasse family						3
Plaice family						1
Unidentified fish						1
Total QC1 and QC2	1		1	1	3	12
Total QC0 and QC4	1		12	1	14	23
Total fish	2		13	2	17	35

Table 19: SFS 10, Allt na Uamha, test pits and shovel pits, mammal bones and fish, number of identified specimens (NISP)

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Table 20
SFS 10 York system texture	Description	TP mammal	TP fish	S. pit mammal	S. pit fish
Totals (19)		6	3	0	10
Excellent	Majority of surface fresh or even slightly glossy; very localised flaky or powdery patches	1
Good	Lacks fresh appearance but solid; very localised flaky or powdery patches	3			2
Fair	Surface solid in some places, but flaky or powdery on up to 49% of specimen	1	2		8
Poor	Surface flaky or powdery over 50% of specimen	1	1

Table 20: SFS 10, Allt na Uamha, mammal bones and fish, texture of QC1 elements from test pits and shovel pits (all contexts)

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Table 21
Taxon	Element	Context				shovel pit	Total
		1	2	3	4
Mammal
Sheep	2nd phalanx					1	1
	scapula					1	1
Cow	mandible		1				1
	2nd phalanx			1			1
	radius		1				1
Red deer	calcaneum			1			1
	mandible		1				1
Deer family	humerus					1	1
Medium mammal 1	scapula	1					1
	phalanx					1	1
Small mammal	humerus		1				1
Total QC1		1	4	2		4	11
Fish
Cod	articular			1		1	2
	dentary					1	1
	posttemporal					1	1
Cod/saithe/pollack	ceratohyal					1	1
	posttemporal					1	1
	opercular				1		1
Cod family	articular	1				1	2
Atlantic herring	vertebrae/av					1	1
Wrasse family	cleithrum					2	2
	hyomandibular					1	1
Plaice family: vertebrae	av					1	1
Unidentified fish	articular					1	1
Total QC1		1	0	1	1	10	13
Total QC2		0	0	0	0	2	2

Table 21: SFS 10, Allt na Uamha, test pits and shovel pits, mammal bones and fish QC1 and QC2 element representation

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Table 22
SFS 10 Bone ID	Provenance	Taxon	Element	Criteria
SFS10-7834	Context 1 (Test Pit)	scapula	medium mammal 1	juvenile cortex
SFS10-7865	Shovel Pit 2	scapula	sheep	distal epiphysis unfused, juvenile cortex
SFS10-7863	Shovel Pit 2	phalanx	medium mammal 1	distal epiphysis unfused, juvenile cortex
SFS10-7861	Shovel Pit 2	humerus	deer family	distal epiphysis unfused, juvenile cortex

Table 22: SFS 10, Allt na Uamha, test pits and shovel pits, pre-adult mammal juvenile QC1 elements

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Table 23
SFS 10 Taxon	Size category	Context				Test pit total	Shovel pit
		1	2	3	4
Totals	0	1		1	1	3	9
Cod	extra large			1		1
	large						1
	medium						1
	small						1
Cod/saithe/pollack	large						1
	medium						1
	small				1	1
Cod family	large	1				1
	medium						1
Wrasse family	medium						3

Table 23: SFS 10, Allt na Uamha, size of QC1 elements by species and context for test pits and shovel pits; (see Appendix 27 for definitions of the York System size categories)

Shell: The predominant species is limpet followed by periwinkle (see Illustration 96, below). The ratio of species is consistent through the test pit (see Illustration 97, below). There are a few other species but these have a very low MNI: dogwhelk, flat periwinkle and the otter shell, (see Tables 24 & 25, both below). Razor shell, topshell and scallop were also present but could not be included in the MNI due to lack of apices or umbones. These other species have very low weights and may represent few individuals, in some cases only one. Significantly perhaps there are more dogwhelks in Pit 2 (N=8; see Illustration 3, right). Measurements of the length:height ratio of limpets from the different contexts suggest that limpets were harvested from the middle to lower shore zones. The results of fragmentation analysis can be seen in the chart below (see Illustration 98, below). There was not enough data on dogwhelks to include them in the analysis. The limpets are highly fragmented (in most cases less than 20% are complete). The MNIs are large from this site making the results very reliable. It is interesting that Context 1 has about 25% of complete shells compared to the lower contexts which have less than 10% whole. This could be connected with the weight of the midden, or there being less trampling after the final deposition of shells. The MNIs for the periwinkles are not as great as the limpets so that the results may be skewed. Nevertheless there does seem to be quite a drop in the number of whole shells in Shovel Pit 3 (only about 50% are whole, compared with 70% and higher in Context 1 and 2). Without further examination of the site it is impossible to say why this is the case. Skip Tables & Charts.

Illus 96: SFS 10, Allt na Uamha, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context for each species

Table 25
SFS 10 context	limpet	periwinkle	dogwhelk	flat periwinkle	otter shell
Test Pit 1:
Context 1	941	89		2
Context 2	560	29
Context 3	489	11	1		1
Context 4	264	12

Table 25: SFS 10, Allt na Uamha, the MNI of marine mollusc species by context

Illus 97: SFS 10, Allt na Uamha, marine molluscs, MNI by context for each species

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Illus 98: SFS 10, Allt na Uamha, marine molluscs, fragmentation of limpets and periwinkles by context

Charcoal: Charcoal from two contexts was recovered for analysis (see Table 26, below). Though only a small quantity, this comprised predominantly birch, with some hazel and one possible fragment of alder. As the charcoal was associated with midden deposits it is likely that it represents hearth debris, thus suggesting that birch and hazel formed the principal fuel.

Table 26
Site	SFS 10 Test Pit 1	SFS 10 Test Pit 1	SFS 171 Test Pit 1	SFS 171 Test Pit 1
Context	2: shell midden	4: black gritty soil	1: loose shell and dry black soil	2: loose stones, mixed with context 1
Totals	25	25	25	25
Alnus glutinosa (Alder)		1
Betula spp (Birch)	18	21	6	3
Calluna vulgaris (Heather)			3	1
Corylus avellana (Hazel)	7	3	5	4
Fraxinus excelsior (Ash)			1	3
Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine)			6	5
Quercus spp (Oak)			4	9

Table 26: SFS 10, Allt na Uamha and SFS 171, Meall na h’Airde 2, charcoal remains; [Return to Section 2.2.45]

Discussion

The lithic assemblage suggests activity in early prehistory, while the pottery has been assigned to the Iron Age or later. The remains of domestic cattle suggest that activity here can have been no earlier than the introduction of this species to Britain, traditionally associated with the Neolithic. The limited butchery evidence suggests that some mammal processing or consumption took place at the site. Likewise, the range in fish size rules out the fish being derived from otter spraint deposits.

2.2.5 SFS 60: Allt na H Eirigh, NGR NG 6958 5645

Type of Site: Findspot
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: North Applecross
Size: N/A
Height OD: 50m
Ground Cover: None
Distance to Sea: 200m to west
Distance to Fresh Water: 0m (found on boulder in centre of stream)
Threats: N/A
Description: Findspot
Archaeology: Surface collection (see Illustration 99, right)

Finds

Lithics: One chunk of chalcedonic silica was picked up from a boulder in the centre of the stream.

Discussion

The find of a single undiagnostic lithic which may well represent background noise, though it would be worth monitoring sites like this to check whether further archaeological finds erode out.

2.2.6 SFS 150: Alt Cadh an Eas, NGR NG 8761 3294

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 2002
Survey Area: Loch Carron
Size: Unknown
Aspect: North-west
Height OD: 25m
Ground Cover: Under cultivation
Distance to Sea: 3500m
Distance to Fresh Water: 50m to north
Threats: Cultivation, ploughing
Description: Lithic scatter adjacent to chambered cairn (NG 8755 3296) in ploughed field in valley bottom
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Lithics: Four lithics were recovered together 40m east of the cairn. All are broken regular flakes, two of chalcedonic silica and two of quartz.

Discussion

Isolated finds like this are hard to interpret. They may indicate activity in prehistory but flakes of stone were also in use in later periods, for example as strike-a-lights and gun flints, so that they may be more recent.

2.2.7 The An Corran sites

SFS 1 An Corran A NGR NG 490 685; SFS 101 An Corran E NGR NG 4890 6838; SFS 193 An Corran F NGR NG 4861 6827; SFS 194 An Corran G NGR NG 4853 6815

 

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter sites
SFS Record: 1999, 2000, 2001
References: Hardy et al forthcoming; Miket & Saville 1994; Saville & Miket 1994a & 1994b
Survey Area: Trotternish
Size: Unknown
Aspect: North-west
Height OD: 8–50m
Ground Cover: Grass/bracken
Distance to Sea: 5–75m to north-west, rocky coast
Distance to Fresh Water: Various
Threats: Grazing, erosion
Description: The Mesolithic site of An Corran at Staffin Bay was excavated in the early 1990s and publication is due (SFS 1, An Corran A; Hardy et al forthcoming). The SFS survey work resulted in the recording of a suite of lithic scatter sites around the bay at Staffin, starting from the area between An Corran rockshelter and the sea and working northwards. These have been named An Corran B-G. In addition there is a site at Brogaig, also in Staffin Bay. The An Corran sites and Brogaig are still eroding so that most visits result in the recovery of further material. Monitoring took place at irregular intervals throughout the project but, due to the constraints of time and money, a halt to monitoring work was called with the result that the catalogue of lithic material is only a sample of what was recovered (and what might be found in future)
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Lithics: The quantity of lithic finds from each site varies greatly (see Table 27). Raw materials reflect the local availability of baked mudstone and chalcedonic silica, though it is interesting that some assemblages have more baked mudstone, while others have more chalcedonic silica (see Table 28, below). Quartz is present in a very small quantity and in addition there are a few pieces of Rùm bloodstone and volcanic glass. Each site was monitored by the same team so that the variations in content are likely to reflect the original nature of each assemblage. Most of the sites have both debitage and regular pieces. Narrow blade microliths were recovered from three sites – An Corran C, E and F – and most sites also had larger modified tools as well, mainly edge-retouched pieces and scrapers. In addition,blades were found on all sites except for F, G and A, though at G and A the assemblage only comprised of isolated finds.

Table 28
Site	Baked Mudstone	Chalcedonic Silica	Rùm Bloodstone	Quartz	Volcanic Glass	Total
Totals	652	656	6	35	1	1350
An Corran A		1				1
An Corran B	34	41		1		76
An Corran C	299	217		12	1	529
An Corran D	10	45	1	2		58
An Corran E	249	284	5	17		555
An Corran F	8	18				26
An Corran G		3				3
Brogaig	52	47		3		102

Table 28: Lithic raw material use at the An Corran sites, Staffin

Coarse stone tools: A single, facially pecked cobble was found at An Corran C.

Pottery: There were three sherds of pottery:one from An Corran C and two from An Corran E. A single, undiagnostic, rimsherd was found at An Corran C, but the two pieces from An Corran E include a sherd of Unstan ware, dating to the earlier part of the Neolithic (for example, pottery from Bharpa Carinish, North Uist; MacSween 1993, SFS 373, Illustration 8, right & V54).

Discussion

Although the amount of lithics varies considerably from site to site at An Corran, the whole area of Staffin Bay is clearly very interesting. Ongoing erosion means that the archaeological resource here is under considerable threat. It would be useful to get some further characterisation and dates from the open-air sites around the Bay. Dating material was not recovered during SFS work apart from the general characterisation of the flaked lithics. Mesolithic material, in the form of microliths, came from three of the sites (C, E & F), while three others had blades, but no microliths. Although it is obvious that by and large the microliths came from the larger assemblages (C & E), sites B, D and Brogaig also had good-sized collections and it is likely that microliths would have been spotted had they been present. The rockshelter site at An Corran A has evidence of activity from the Early Mesolithic into the Neolithic and in this respect the generally undiagnostic nature of several of the lithic assemblages is noteworthy.

One of the characteristics of Mesolithic sites around the Inner Sound, indeed further afield on the west coast of Scotland, is that when radiocarbon determinations are obtained they tend to come out early in the Scottish Mesolithic. There are very few later Mesolithic dates from this area, and one is forced to consider why. It is unlikely that the area became depopulated in the latter half of the Mesolithic and it may be that the archaeological record has been biased by the use of microliths to identify ‘Mesolithic’ sites. The possibility of a non-microlithic period towards the end of the Mesolithic has been raised on several occasions (for example Woodman 1989; Wickham-Jones 2004a). Late dates exist for microlithic sites in east Scotland (for example Warren forthcoming), but as yet they are rare in the west. Is it possible, therefore, that the Later Mesolithic of the Inner Sound area made much less use of microliths? If this were so, the main element by which we usually recognise Mesolithic sites would be removed.

The many sites of An Corran at Staffin Bay hold very great potential because of the alternate ‘Mesolithic’ and ‘nondescript’ natures of their assemblages. Mesolithic activity is clearly indicated and it seems reasonable to assume that occupation may well have continued into more recent times. This would be supported, if tentatively, by the finds of pottery including a single sherd of ‘probably’ Unstan ware from An Corran E. The same raw material sources would continue to be important in later times; the area is sheltered, has good supplies of fresh water and safe access to the sea for fishing and transport. Is it possible that ‘undiagnostic’ assemblages like that at An Corran B and Brogaig hold the key to an understanding the Later Mesolithic of the area?

2.2.8 SFS 75: Applecross Manse, NGR NG 7120 4571

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: Mid Applecross
Size: Unknown
Aspect: South-east
Height OD: 8–10m
Ground Cover: Grass
Distance to Sea: 50m to south-east to sandy bay
Distance to Fresh Water: 30m to west
Threats: Partly destroyed by building work, further disturbance likely, including forestry
Description: A lithic scatter revealed when lithics were recovered from the erosion scars left by the excavation of a track below the lip of the 12m raised beach (see Illustration 106, right) (Applecross Local Datum). The shovel pitting was designed to investigate both the extent of the scatter and its location
Archaeology: Shovel pitting

Four transects were laid out and a total of 20 shovel pits was dug (see Illustration 107, left & 108, right). Shovel pit depth was 400–600mm through slopewash down to a mixed sand and pebble beach deposit. The lithics were recovered from the interface of slopewash and the beach deposit.

Finds

Lithics: There were 97 finds here (see Table 29, below) from a combination of shovel pitting and surface collection. Apart from the surface collection, most material was collected from Shovel Pits D 4–6.

Table 29
SFS 75	Chalcedonic silica	Rùm bloodstone	Quartz	Total
Totals	28	17	52	97
Debitage	17	15	29	61
Regular flakes	9	1	23	33
Blades	1	1		2
Microliths: crescents	1			1

Table 29: SFS 75, Applecross Manse, lithics

Discussion

The lithic assemblage is interesting because of the lack of baked mudstone. It is likely that the proportion of Rùm bloodstone reflects the distance of the source in contrast to sources of chalcedonic silica and quartz both of which are likely to be local. The microlith suggests a Mesolithic date for the activity which apparently included both tool manufacture and use. Interestingly, there are no later finds from this site.

2.2.9 SFS 66: Ard Clais Salacher 2, NGR NG 6829 5123

Type of Site: Rockshelter with midden and structures
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: Mid Applecross
Size: 10m deep×4.5m wide×2m high
Aspect: North-facing
Height OD: 4–5m
Ground Cover: Heather and bracken
Distance to Sea: 30m to north-west, open rocky shore
Distance to Fresh Water: 10m to west
Threats: Stable
Description: A rockshelter situated in the sheltered base of an old sea cliff (see Illustration 109, left). A storm beach lies between the site and the sea: many of the rocks near the shelter are moss and heather covered and they have dangerous voids between them. Some recent rockfall from the cliff face is also visible though the undulating interior, deepest in the north, is dry and stable. A substantial drystone wall runs under the drip line and shell midden material is eroding out here, indicating either that the midden has been used as packing or insulation in the wall core or that it has been thrown up against the wall. The wall is of massive construction, built of large angular stones with a distinct and narrow entrance towards its southern end and it has traces of circular remains on the outside; these may be natural voids. Inside it has drystone piers, forming rough cubicles. Two recent hearths are visible inside the cave with shell and animal remains scattered around.
Archaeology: Only one test pit was dug as no excavations were possible on the rocky exterior (see Illustration 110, upper right). Test Pit 1 was aligned north-east—south-west and lay in the northern interior. It contained four clear contexts in well defined stratigraphy (see Illustration 111, lower right).

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) aligned north-east—south-west, in the northern interior, around the lowest part.

• Context 6611 A mixed shell midden comprising c20% mixed limpets and periwinkles in a black, rich, peaty matrix. Glass was found in this layer.
• Context 6612 Midden with a much greater shell content than 6611.
• Context 6613 Within 6612, a lens of creamy yellow peat ash overflowing from one of the visible hearths.
• Context 6614 A further shell midden layer containing charcoal and a few lithics. This extended beyond the limit of excavation. It comprised mainly limpets and included hammer stones and fire cracked rocks in a sparse brown matrix.

All of the contexts thinned out away from the hearth and may be associated with it. Neither the base of the midden or any sign of bedrock were seen.

Finds

Lithics: Twelve lithics were recovered mostly of chalcedonic silica and flint, but there were two pieces of quartz. Half of the assemblage was debitage, but there were also four regular flakes, a gunflint and a fragment of a retouched tool which had been reused as a strike-a-light. The presence of the latter two pieces together with several pieces that were undoubtedly flint, including one fine black flake, suggests that this assemblage has resulted from relatively recent stone tool use. The gunflint is an irregular piece, made of orange flint and probably of local manufacture.

Pottery: There were eight sherds of pottery, including a piece of modern glazed pottery. Sherds of various different types of coarse pottery were present including a fragment of a rounded base, body sherds and a decorated neck sherd. The nature of the decoration on the latter – a band of incised decoration around the neck of the vessel – is indicative of an Iron Age date (such as decoration on a vessel dating to the earlier Iron Age from Kebister, Shetland; Dalland & MacSween 1999:181, illus 159.1).

Glass: Two sherds of olive-green glass from Test Pit 1, Spit 1.

Bone: Domestic species, cattle, sheep and pig dominated the bone assemblage. There were smaller quantities of bone from small mammals with a single amphibian bone. There was also an assemblage of fish bone, including saithe or pollack, cod, wrasse and other gadids. This suggests both inshore fishing using lines, nets or traps and deeper water fishing.
Shell: Limpet and periwinkle predominate throughout (see Table 30, below; Illustration 112, below). Mussel, razor shell and flat periwinkle occur in very small amounts.

Table 30
SFS 66	limpet	periwinkle	mussel	Razor shell	flat periwinkle	residue
Test Pit 1
Context 1	65	147				135
Context 2	137	120				144
Context 3	81	13	<1	<1		173
Context 4	1087	431			1	658

Table 30: SFS 66, Ard Clais Salacher 2, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Illus 112: SFS 66, Ard Clais Salacher 2, main marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Dates

This site has three radiocarbon determinations from the mid 15th to mid 17th centuries AD (see Table 31, below). The samples were all taken from context 6614, a shell midden layer low down in the stratigraphy in a sparse brown matrix.

Table 31
SFS 66 Context	Reference	Material	Date BP	Age
TP1 C6614	AA-50682	pig bone	355±35	AD1450–1640
TP1 C6614	AA-50683	cow bone	355±45	AD1450–1640
TP1 C6614	AA-50684	hazelnut shell	375±55	AD1440–1640

Table 31: SFS 66, Ard Clais Salacher 2, radiocarbon dates, see Section 4

Discussion

This site has deep, well-preserved archaeological deposits, the base of which was not reached. The dates indicate a focus of activity in the post-medieval period, but the pottery might indicate earlier, Iron Age, activity. Some of the lithic material would clearly support later activity, though it is possible that some of it relates to Iron Age use. The glass is post-medieval in date and this agrees with the radiocarbon determinations.

2.2.10 SFS 102: Ardheslaig 1, NGR NG 7846 5624

Type of Site: Findspot
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: Loch Torridan
Size: Unknown
Aspect: South-east
Height OD: 30m
Ground Cover: Bare soil
Distance to Sea: 150m to south-east, rocky coastline
Distance to Fresh Water: 500m
Threats: Enclosed grazing area, erosion
Description: Findspot (see Illustration 113, right)
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Lithics: There was one surface find from this site, a regular flake of Rùm bloodstone.

Discussion

Findspots of single finds are hard to interpret. They may represent general prehistoric background noise, but it is worth monitoring the sites for further information.

2.2.11 SFS 6: Ashaig 1, NGR NG 6866 2420

Type of Site: Open-air midden
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: South Skye
Size: Unknown
Aspect: North-east
Height OD: 5m
Ground Cover: Short mown turf
Distance to Sea: 20m to north, indented marsh and shingle
Distance to Fresh Water: 30m to east
Threats: Grazing, rabbit burrowing
Description: A substantial open shell midden associated with an ancient cemetery (see Illustrations 114, left & 115, right)
Archaeology: One test pit (1m×0.5m) was opened to assess the depth of midden deposits

• Context 1 Turf
• Context 2 Midden material, mostly periwinkle
• Context 3 A series of large boulders with midden material in the soil matrix, lying between the boulders. Excavation was stopped at 76mm as the boulders impeded further work.

Finds

Lithics: There were three lithic finds at Ashaig 1, all came from Test Pit 1 and all were debitage. There were two pieces of baked mudstone and one of quartz.

Metalwork: 15.9g unclassified ironworking slag.

Shell: Oyster, limpet, periwinkle and cockle were all found.

Dates

This site has three radiocarbon dates, all taken from Test Pit 1 (see Table 32, below). All relate to activity in the 13th century AD.

Table 32
SFS 6 Context	Reference	Material	Date BP	Age
TP1 Spit 4	OxA-9278	Hazel charcoal	771±32	AD1215–1290
TP1 Spit 6	OxA-9279	Birch charcoal	723±33	AD1220–1390
TP1 Spit 12	OxA-9277	Birch charcoal	769±36	AD1210–1295

Table 32: SFS 6, Ashaig 1, radiocarbon dates, see Section 4

Discussion

The large boulders uncovered in Test Pit 1 appear to have been displaced from further up the slope and may have originated from a collapsed revetment from earlier structures pre-dating the present cemetery. The lithics are likely to relate to general background ‘noise’, but the dates and general proximity to the graveyard suggest that this was a site of some interest in more recent times. Metalworking at such locations would not be unexpected.

2.2.12 SFS 92: Ashaig 3, NGR NG 6922 2410

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: South Skye
Size: 10m×4m
Aspect: South-east
Height OD: 17m
Ground Cover: Grass and heather
Distance to Sea: 500m to north-west to sheltered sandy beach
Distance to Fresh Water: 5m to south-east
Threats: Open grazing, erosion
Description: Surface lithic scatter
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Lithics: There were eight lithic finds here, mainly regular flakes of chalcedonic silica, but there were also single pieces of Rùm bloodstone and quartz, and an edge retouched flake of chalcedonic silica.

Discussion

The lithics are undiagnostic but they suggest prehistoric activity in the vicinity and this would be supported by the lack of other recent finds such as pottery or metal.

2.2.13 SFS 93: Ashaig 4, NGR NG 6880 2390

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: South Skye
Size: Unknown
Aspect: South-east at foot of low limestone cliff
Height OD: 22m
Ground Cover: Grass
Distance to Sea: 500m to north-west sheltered sandy bay
Distance to Fresh Water: 25m to east
Threats: Grazing, erosion
Description: Surface lithic scatter
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Lithics: There were three lithic finds from Ashaig 4, two regular flakes of quartz and chalcedonic silica and a piece of chalcedonic silica debitage.

Discussion

The lithics suggest unspecified prehistoric activity.

2.2.14 SFS 32: Brogaig, NGR NG 4730 6871

Description: There were 102 finds from Brogaig. This assemblage is discussed with the material from the An Corran sites (above), of which it is a part

2.2.15 SFS 168: Camas-an-Leim 1, NGR NG 8186 5531

Type of Site: Findspot
SFS Record: 2002
Survey Area: Loch Torridan
Size: 2m deep×3m wide×2m high
Aspect: North
Height OD: 12m
Ground Cover: Nettles and bracken
Distance to Sea: 30m to north, open shingle beach
Distance to Fresh Water: 50m to north
Threats: Stable
Description: Rockshelter
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Lithics: A single flake of chalcedonic silica was recovered from the surface here.

Discussion

The isolated find suggests human activity, though more work is needed to provide any detail. This site may well be part of a wider complex including SFS 188, Camas an Leim 2.

2.2.16 SFS 188: Camas-an-Leim 2, NGR NG 8180 5540

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 2002
Survey Area: Loch Torridan
Size: Unknown
Aspect: North-east
Height OD: 10m
Ground Cover: Grass
Distance to Sea: 50m to north-east
Distance to Fresh Water: 20m to south
Threats: Storm tides and grazing
Description: A lithic scatter located in a small, sheltered raised beach (10m OD) with a north-easterly aspect looking into Loch Torridan (see Illustration 32, left). This site is well drained and has been heavily cultivated; there is surviving evidence of lazy bed cultivation
Archaeology: Two transects of 13 and 20 shovel pits were laid out at 25m intervals on a north-west—south-east alignment, along the crest of the raised beach (see Illustration 116, right). A well formed plough soil, 100–320mm deep, lay directly on the beach material

Finds

Lithics: There were three lithic finds from the base of the plough soil: two regular flakes and one piece of debitage, all of chalcedonic silica. In addition another flake of chalcedonic silica was found from the surface of an eroding path across the site.

Discussion

This site is near to SFS 168, a rockshelter from which a single flake of chalcedonic silica was recovered. Even taken together finds are not abundant, but it is likely that some sort of prehistoric activity is indicated.

2.2.17 SFS 76: Camusteel 1, NGR NG 7077 4207

Type of Site: Rockshelter
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: Mid Applecross
Size: 2m deep×2m wide×1m high
Aspect: South-west-facing
Height OD: 7–8m
Ground Cover: Grass and bracken
Distance to Sea: 25m to south-west to open rocky pebble beach
Distance to Fresh Water: 150m to south-east
Threats: Stable
Description: This rockshelter is situated on the east of Camusteel bay close to SFS 77. Small, open and exposed, this site has a considerably overhanging roof, but little in the way of walls or side protection (see Illustrations 117, left & 118, right)
Archaeology: One test pit was excavated just inside the shelter

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) aligned east—west under the overhang but without side protection.

• Context 7610 A thin turf of grass
• Context 7611 A band of limpets and shattered stone with a few modern finds
• Context 7612 Bedrock at a maximum depth of 0.28m

Finds

Lithics: A quartz pebble was recovered from Test Pit 1
Pottery: There were 19 sherds of glazed pottery in Test Pit 1, context 7611
Glass: Nine clear glass sherds, some decorated were found in Test Pit 1, context 7615
Metalwork: The rim and body fragment of a cast iron vessel (probably a three-legged cooking pot) with everted rim was recovered from Test Pit 1, context 7611. It was originally c210mm in diameter, but is broken just above the shoulder.

Discussion

The pottery and the glass are modern in date, but the metalwork suggests post-medieval activity.

2.2.18 SFS 77: Camusteel 2, NGR NG 7050 4217

Type of Site: Cave with midden
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: Mid Applecross
Size: 3m deep×5m wide×2m high
Aspect: South-facing
Height OD: 8m
Ground Cover: Nettles and grass
Distance to Sea: 8m to rocky shore
Distance to Fresh Water: 150m to north-east
Threats: Stable
Description: A small cave on the west side of Camusteel Bay. The cave lies in an unusual position, halfway down the cliff face (see Illustrations 119, left & 120, right). It has an open, southerly aspect but is sheltered and reached from above by a narrow and difficult path and from below by a steep slope to the beach. Shell midden and lithics were visible on the surface before excavation. A second, smaller and bramble infested shelter lies below, but was not investigated because of the impracticalities of access
Archaeology: One test pit was excavated. Test Pit 1, aligned east—west, lay at the western side of the shelter, well within the drip line

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) aligned east—west at the western side of the shelter, well within the drip line (see Illustrations 121, left & 122).

• Context 7711 Surface shells which produced modern glass and pottery
• Context 7712 A similar layer in terms of content, but without the modern finds
• Context 7713 Loose rounded and sub-angular cobbles and shells with a few lumps of charcoal
• Context 7714 Similar to Context 7713
• Context 7715 A layer of unusual small shells forming a possible floor
• Context 7716 A series of ash and charcoal lenses
• Context 7717 A small area of a larger context, comprising mainly limpets, exposed at the base of the section

A deep fissure in the bedrock ran obliquely across the trench making excavation and interpretation of the layers difficult. Test Pit 1 was excavated to almost 0.5m.

Finds

Lithics: There were five lithic finds, all of chalcedonic silica. As well as pieces of debitage and regular flakes there was a small broken scraper
Pottery: Six sherds of glazed pottery were recovered from context 7711
Glass: 15 clear glass sherds (including base), some decorated, context 7711
Metalwork: There were two small eyelets of copper-alloy flanking organic remains; probably eyelets around a perforation in cloth or leather. In addition there was an iron staple and two iron nail fragments, all from context 7711.

Shell: Limpet predominates throughout the midden (see Table 33; Illustration 125, below). Periwinkle is present but in much smaller quantities. A number of other species are present, including an unusual number of flat periwinkle and topshell in context 5.

Illus 125: SFS 77, Camusteel 2, limpet and periwinkle, weight in grams by context

Dates

Four radiocarbon determinations were obtained from this site, all from Test Pit 1 (see Table 34, below). Two dates came from context 7715, a possible floor, and two from context 7717, a shell midden. Three of the dates fall into the late 1st millennium AD while the fourth is earlier.

Table 34
SFS 77 Context	Reference	Material	Date BP	Age
TP1 C7715	AA-50688	hazelnut shell	1205±40	AD920–960
TP1 C7715	AA-50689	pig bone	1130±35	AD780–1000
TP1 C7717	AA-50691	hazel charcoal	1235±35	AD680–890
TP1 C7717	AA-50690	charcoal	2365±55	800–250BC

Table 34: SFS 77, Camusteel 2, radiocarbon dates, see Section 4

Discussion

The lithics suggest some prehistoric activity, the pottery and the glass are modern, and the metalwork could date to anything between the post-medieval to modern periods. The comb cannot be dated precisely but it would not contradict other early medieval indications. The dates confirm activity in the late prehistoric and medieval period, but clearly this shelter has been used, on and off, into recent times.

2.2.19 SFS 78: Camusteel 3, NGR NG 7041 4264

Type of Site: Rockshelter with midden and structures
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: Mid Applecross
Size: 8m deep×4m wide×2m high
Aspect: West
Height OD: 5m
Ground Cover: Bracken
Distance to Sea: 12m to west, rocky open shoreline
Distance to Fresh Water: In rockshelter
Threats: Stable
Description: A small rockshelter which provides some protection from the elements in spite of an open westerly aspect (see Illustration 126, right). It is situated in the base of an old sea cliff. Two ruinous walls and a patchy surface shell midden are present
Archaeology: One test pit was excavated

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m), aligned north-east—south-west and set across one of the ruinous walls inside the shelter (see Illustrations 127, left & 128, right).

• Context 7811 Surface midden which contained mainly limpets in good condition
• Context 7812 A thin layer of limpets and abundant fish bones
• Context 7813 Bedrock

Finds

There were no artefacts

Bone: Fragments of cancellous bone, possibly cetacean, suggest anthropogenic activity. In addition there were bones of frog, vole and other amphibia as well as small mammals, all of which are likely to have a natural origin.

Shell: Limpet predominates, periwinkle is present in smaller quantities and very small quantities of mussel appear (see Table 35, below; Illustration 129, below).

Table 35
SFS 78 Test Pit 1	limpet	periwinkle	mussel	residue	Total
Totals	2788	690	11	1933	5422
Context 1	1632	369	4	1159	3164
Context 2	1156	321	7	774	2258

Table 35: SFS 78, Camusteel 3, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Illus 129: SFS 78, Camusteel 3, limpet and periwinkle, weight in grams by context

Discussion

The visible wall proved to be insubstantial and without obvious foundations. This is clearly a boulder wall for shelter, possibly in conjunction with a protective screen, rather than a substantial, load bearing wall. The lack of artefacts suggests transient activity.

2.2.20 SFS 17: Church Cave, NGR NG 6270 5696

Type of Site: Cave with midden and structures
SFS Record: 2002
Survey Area: Islands (Rona)
Size: 28m deep×17m wide×4m high
Aspect: South-east at foot of massive cliff
Height OD: 40m
Ground Cover: Grass and bracken
Distance to Sea: 30m to south-east, open rocky shore
Distance to Fresh Water: 50m to north-east
Threats: Human activity (occasional services)
Description: A large cave, Church Cave (40m OD, 30m from sea), was used as the island church regularly until 1912, and is still occasionally used for services (see Illustrations 60, top left & 61, bottom left). It is a large east-facing cave, 28m deep×17m wide×4m high. It contains rows of stone used as pews and a low stone pillar at the entrance which was used as a pulpit (see Illustrations 130, top right & 131, bottom right). Towards the rear of the cave is an area of shell midden and another area, currently empty with a floor of cave earth. One test pit was dug in each of these areas
Archaeology: Two test pits were excavated towards the rear of the cave (Illustration 130, top right)

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) was located in the area of cave earth immediately in front of the rows of seating. It contained five contexts (see Illustration 132, right).

• Context 1 Sheep dung
• Context 2 Black ash and charcoal, burnt shell, bone fragments and pieces of quartz (unworked)
• Context 3 White ash, part burnt shell and charcoal fragments
• Context 4 Black ash and charcoal with burnt shell and bone. Quartz (unworked)
• Context 5 Compacted stone fragments of parent rock in clean sandy matrix

Test Pit 2: (1m×0.5m) was located in the shell midden. It contained five contexts (see Illustration 133, left)

• Context 1 Loose dry midden material containing stones and bones
• Context 2 Loose midden material, slightly wet, containing pot sherds, bone and stones
• Context 3 Loose, dark compact midden material containing bones and stones
• Context 4 Angular stone fragments lying on bedrock
• Context 5 Bedrock

Finds

Lithics: There were four finds, two regular flakes of quartz and two pieces (a regular flake and a debitage flake) of chalcedonic silica.

Bone tools: A fine point, smoothed and rounded (BT135), was found in Test Pit 2, context 2 (see Illustration 89 in 2.2.3 SFS 68, above: SFS 17, Church Cave, fine point (number four in illustration)).

Pottery: There were four sherds of coarse pottery in Test Pit 2. One is decorated with incised lines probably forming a chevron pattern.

Test Pit 2, Context 1: One body sherd, slightly abraded. The fabric is coarse sandy clay which has fired hard and is grey with a red interior margin. Th 7mm; Wt 4g
Test Pit 2, Context 2: One body sherd, slightly abraded. The exterior surface is smoothed and possibly burnished. The fabric is sandy clay which has fired hard and is grey with a brown interior surface. Th 4mm; Wt 2g.
One body sherd, slightly abraded. The fabric is sandy clay which has fired hard and is grey with red surfaces. Th 6mm; Wt 1g.
Test Pit 2, Context 2: One body sherd, abraded. The exterior surface is smoothed and decorated with incised lines probably forming a chevron pattern. The fabric is fairly coarse sandy clay which has fired hard and is grey. Th 6mm; Wt 3g.

Metalwork: Test Pit 2, Context 3: Lace end made of copper-alloy. Strip of sheet rolled into a tight cylinder, probably for use as a rivet. L 30mm, D 3mm. Alloy: gunmetal.

Bone: Bone was recovered from both test pits. A total of 153 bones weighing 238.37g was recovered from Test Pit 1, and 3524 bones weighing 2130.53g from Test Pit 2. A subset of 19 diagnostic elements (QC1) was analysed in detail from Test Pit 1 and 229 QC1 elements from Test Pit 2. Preservation of the mammal bone is generally fair and fish bone is fair to good (see Table 36, below). Preservation of the mammal, bird and fish QC1 elements from Test Pit 2 is generally fair to good (see Table 37, below). In Test Pit 1 four of the five contexts yielded 84 specimens of mammal bone, one specimen of bird bone and 68 of fish bone (see Table 38, below). Both domestic (sheep and pig) and wild (otter and deer) mammalian taxa are sparsely represented and there is only one (unidentified) specimen of bird bone. The majority of the fish remains from Test Pit 1 are found in Context 4 and are dominated by species belonging to the cod family (gadidae). The salmon, sea bream and gurnard families are also represented. In Test Pit 2 bone was recovered from the upper three contexts, mostly Context 2. Both domestic (sheep, cattle, pig) and wild (red deer, deer family, seal, otter) mammalian taxa, with a combined NISP of 1173 were recorded (see Table 39, below), together with water vole, a species of vole and a species of rat. In addition there was a small amount of bird bone (NISP of 28) including single specimens of woodcock and either razorbill or guillemot (Table 39). Fish bone was mainly recovered from Context 2, as in Test Pit 1, gadid species, predominately saithe, dominate and other cod family species include pollack, cod, haddock and ling. Atlantic herring, mackerel and species from the wrasse, salmon, scorpion fish and plaice family were also recorded. There was a single amphibian specimen from SFS 17: the trunk vertebrae of a toad (Bufo sp). The small number of QC1 elements in Test Pit 1 means that it is hard to comment on element representation, species are represented by single QC1 elements only (see Table 40, below). In Test Pit 2 the sample sizes of mammal and bird bone are also too small to make any meaningful comment on element representation (see Table 41, below), but the fish bone provides a larger sample (see Table 42, below). Illustration 134, (below), shows the combined cod family diagnostic elements and vertebrae from Contexts 1 and 2. From both contexts the majority of elements are vertebrae; however, there are differences in the element distribution. Context 1 has relatively fewer appendicular elements than Context 2 but this could be a reflection of sample size rather than a real difference in fish processing. Skip Tables.

Illus 134: SFS 17, Church Cave, combined cod family QC1 and QC2 element distribution (for element codes see Appendix 24)

Table 38
Taxon	Context				Total
	1	2	3	4
Mammal
Sheep		1			1
Pig		1			1
Deer family				1	1
Otter	1				1
Small mammal				1	1
Total QC1	1	2	0	2	5
Total QC0	0	19	11	49	79
Total mammal	1	21	11	51	84
Bird
Total bird: QC0	0	1	0	0	1
Fish
Saithe		1	1	14	16
Pollack				1	1
Saithe/pollack				4	4
Cod/saithe/pollack				3	3
Cod family			2	6	8
Salmon family				4	4
Sea bream family				2	2
Gurnard family				1	1
Unidentified fish			2		2
Total QC1 & QC2	0	1	5	35	41
Total QC0 & QC4	0	0	2	25	27
Total fish	0	1	7	60	68
Total NISP	1	23	18	111	153

Table 38: SFS 17, Church Cave, number of identified specimens (NISP) from Test Pit 1

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Table 39
Taxon	Context			Total
	1	2	3
Mammal
Sheep		6	3	9
Sheep/goat	2		1	3
Cow	1	2	1	4
Pig		1	1	2
Red deer	2	4	1	7
Deer family		4		4
Seal sp.	1	1	1	3
Otter		1		1
Watervole	1	3		4
Vole sp.		2		2
Rat sp.		1		1
Small mammal		8	1	9
Medium mammal 2			1	1
Medium mammal 1		4	1	5
Large mammal		4	1	5
Unidentified mammal	2		2	4
Dog		+
Total QC1	9	41	14	64
Total QC0	124	903	82	1109
Total mammal	133	944	96	1173
Bird
Razorbill/Guillemot		1		1
Woodcock		1		1
Unidentified bird	1	4		5
Total QC1	1	6	0	7
Total QC0	2	18	1	21
Total bird	3	24	1	28
Fish
Saithe	117	598		715
Pollack		15		15
Saithe/pollack	39	68		107
Cod		5		5
Cod/saithe/pollack	43	231		274
Haddock		1		1
Haddock?		1		1
Ling		1		1
Rockling sp.		1		1
Atlantic herring	6	26		32
Atlantic mackerel		1		1
Conger eel		4		4
Cod family	103	227		330
Wrasse family	1	11		12
Salmon family		3		3
Scorpion fish family	1			1
Unidentified fish	42	1		43
Plaice		+
Plaice family		+
Total QC1 & QC2	352	1194	0	1546
Total QC4 & QC0	73	703	0	776
Total fish	425	1897	0	2322
Amphibian
Toad sp.		+
Total QC0	0	1	0	0
Total amphibian	0	1	0	1
Total NISP	561	2866	97	3524

Table 39: SFS 17, Church Cave, number of identified specimens (NISP) from Test Pit 2. + = present

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Table 40
Taxon	Element	Context				Total
		1	2	3	4
Mammal
Sheep	humerus		1			1
Pig	mandible		1			1
Deer family	radius				1	1
Otter	2nd phalanx	1				1
Small mammal	skull				1	1
Total QC1		1	2	0	2	5
Bird
Unidentified bird	tarsometatarsus
Total QC1		1	2	0	2	5
Fish
Saithe	articular				1	1
	cleithrum				1	1
	opercular				1	1
	preopercular				1	1
	premaxilla			1		1
vertebrae:	av2				2	2
	av3				6	6
	cv1		1		1	2
	cv2				1	1
Pollack	premaxilla				1	1
Saithe/pollack	basioccipital				1	1
	parasphenoid				1	1
vertebrae:	av2				2	2
Cod/saithe/pollack
vertebrae:	av1				1	1
	cv1				1	1
	cv2				1	1
Cod family	dentary			2		2
	hyomandibular				1	1
vertebrae:	av3				1	1
	cv				1	1
	cv1				3	3
Salmon family
vertebrae:	cv				4	4
Sea bream family
vertebrae:	av				1	1
	cv				1	1
Gurnard family	dentary				1	1
Unidentified fish
vertebrae:	v			2		2
Total QC1		0	3	9	12
Total QC2		1	0	26	29	1

Table 40: SFS 17, Church Cave, Test Pit 1 mammal, bird and fish QC1 and QC2 element representation

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Table 41
Taxon	Element	Context				Total
		1	2	3	4
Mammal
Sheep	femur		1			1
	humerus		1	1		2
	1st phalanx		2			2
	3rd phalanx		1			1
	radius		1	2		3
Sheep/Goat	astragalus			1		1
	humerus	1				1
	radius	1				1
Pig	mandible		1			1
	scapula			1		1
Cow	femur			1		1
	humerus		1			1
	mandible	1	1			2
Red deer	astralagus		1			1
	metapodial		1			1
	metatarsal	1	1	1		3
	1st phalanx	1	1			2
Deer family	astralagus		1			1
	mandible		1			1
	2nd phalanx		1			1
	3rd phalanx		1			1
Seal sp.	metapodial	1				1
	3rd phalanx		1			1
	tibia			1		1
Otter	2nd phalanx		1			1
Watervole	mandible	1	3			4
Vole	mandible		2			2
Rat sp.	mandible		1			1
Small mammal	femur		1			1
	humerus		4			4
	mandible		1			1
	skull		1			1
	tibia		1	1		2
Medium mammal 2	humerus			1		1
Medium mammal 1	metapodial			1		1
	metatarsal		1			1
	1st phalanx		2			2
	2nd phalanx		1			1
Large mammal	femur		1			1
	metatarsal			1		1
	mandible		1			1
	phalanx		1			1
	scapula		1			1
Unidentified mammal	metatarsal			1		1
	phalanx	1				1
	scapula	1		1		2
Total QC1		9	41	14	0	64
Bird
Razorbill/guillemot	carpometacarpus			1		1
Woodcock	tarsometatarsus			1		1
Unidentified bird	humerus		1	1		2
	tarsometatarsus			2		2
	ulna			1		1
Total QC1		0	1	6	0	7

Table 41: SFS 17, Church Cave, Test Pit 2 QC1 element distribution for mammal and bird

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Table 42
Taxon	Element	Context				Total
		1	2	3	4
Fish
Saithe	articular	2	5			7
	basioccipital		7			7
	ceratohyal		3			3
	cleithrum	1	2			3
	dentary	1	6			7
	hyomandibular		8			8
	infrapharygeal		1			1
	maxilla		1			1
	opercular		6			6
	palatine		2			2
	preopercular		2			2
	posttemporal		4			4
	premaxilla	1	3			4
	quadrate	1	3			4
	supracleithrum		1			1
	vomer		1			1
vertebrae:	fv	3	5			8
	av		3			3
	av1	14	57			71
	av2	10	46			56
	av3	28	137			165
	cv	1	2			3
	cv1	40	198			238
	cv2	15	95			110
Pollack
vertebrae:	av2		1			1
	av3		11			11
	cv1		3			3
Saithe/pollack	articular	1	1			2
	basioccipital	1	3			4
	dentary		6			6
	hyomandibular		3			3
	maxilla	1				1
	opercular	1	2			3
	preopercular		1			1
	posttemporal		2			2
	premaxilla		3			3
vertebrae:	av1	9	7			16
	av2	8	15			23
	av3	15	16			31
	cv1	2	4			6
	cv2		2			2
	fv	1	3			4
Cod
vertebrae:	av1		1			1
	av3		1			1
	cv1		1			1
	cv2		2			2
Cod/saithe/pollack	articular		3			3
	basioccipital		2			2
	ceratohyal		1			1
	cleithrum	1	2			3
	dentary		2			2
	maxilla		3			3
	opercular		1			1
	parasphenoid		1			1
	preopercular		2			2
	posttemporal		4			4
	premaxilla		1			1
	supracleithrum		1			1
vertebrae:	av	1	12			13
	av1	3	21			24
	av2	1	14			15
	av3	13	51			64
	cv		14			14
	cv1	10	59			69
	cv2	14	33			47
	fv		4			4
Haddock	dentary		1			1
Haddock?	cleithrum		1			1
Ling
vertebrae:	cv1		1			1
Rockling sp.
vertebrae:	av1		1			1
Atlantic herring
vertebrae:	av	2	14			16
	cv	3	12			15
	fv	1				1
Atlantic mackerel
vertebrae:	cv		1			1
Conger eel
vertebrae:	av		2			2
	v		2			2
Cod family	articular	1	6			7
	ceratohyal		2			2
	cleithrum		1			1
	dentary		2			2
	hyomandibular		5			5
	maxilla		2			2
	opercular		2			2
	parasphenoid	2	2			4
	posttemporal		3			3
	quadrate		1			1
	supracleithrum		1			1
	scapula		1			1
vertebrae:	av	4	35			39
	av1	5	17			22
	av2	4	10			14
	av3	11	21			32
	cv	6	21			27
	cv1	26	32			58
	cv2	11	29			40
	fv	1	9			10
	v	32	25			57
Wrasse family	infrapharyngeal	1	4			5
	vomer		1			1
vertebrae:	av		3			3
	cv		3			3
Salmon family
vertebrae:	av		1			1
	cv		2			2
Bullhead family
vertebrae:	v	1				1
Unidentified fish	articular		1			1
vertebrae:	v	42				42
Total QC1		15	135	0	0	150
Total QC2		337	1059	0	0	1396

Table 42: SFS 17, Church Cave, Test Pit 2 QC1 and QC2 element distribution for fish

The majority of juvenile bone was from the limbs of medium to large mammals (see Tables 43 & Table 44, below). Unfortunately, no butchery data are recorded from these specimens but presumably they are the result of human consumption. The seal tibia and metapodial are probably from adult individuals as the epiphyses fuse relatively late (Ericson & Storå 1999). The majority of the fish QC1 elements are from fish of medium size (c30–50cm estimated total length), but there are also specimens from large and small fish. Although there are a range of sizes, the emphasis on medium-sized fish suggests that most fishing was carried out beyond the shore zone. Bone modification was only recorded from Test Pit 2. Two of the mammal bones had evidence of carnivore gnawing (see Table 45, below) and three gadid fish bones were crushed, though there was no sign that this was due to ingestion. Butchery evidence was also only recorded from Test Pit 2. Table 46, below, describes the evidence recorded, which was mostly cut and chop marks on mammal limb elements. The cut marks on two otter phalanges, shown in Illustration 135 (right; skinning marks on otter phalanges (as described in Table 46). Drawn by R Parks, no larger version; (left) SFS17-8556 (actual length = 12.01 mm); (right) SFS17-8567 (actual length = 12.92 mm)), are of particular interest as the fine parallel marks are consistent with skinning. Skip Tables.

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Table 43
Bone ID	Test pit	Context	Taxon	Element	Criteria
SFS17-7918	TP1	2	unidentified bird	tarsometatarsus	distal epiphysis unfused, juvenile cortex
SFS17-7923	TP1	4	deer family	radius	distal epiphysis unfused, juvenile cortex
SFS17-7903	TP2	1	red deer	1st phalanx	juvenile cortex
SFS17-8533	TP2	1	seal sp.	metapodial	distal epiphysis fusing
SFS17-8534	TP2	1	unidentified mammal	phalanx	proximal and distal epiphysis fusing
SFS17-8548	TP2	2	small mammal	humerus	distal epiphysis unfused
SFS17-8549	TP2	2	small mammal	femur	distal epiphysis unfused
SFS17-7963	TP2	2	medium mammal 1	1st phalanx	proximal epiphysis unfused
SFS17-7964	TP2	2	medium mammal 1	2nd phalanx	proximal epiphysis unfused
SFS17-7965	TP2	2	medium mammal 1	3rd phalanx	proximal epiphysis fusing, juvenile cortex
SFS17-7957	TP2	2	deer family	2nd phalanx	proximal epiphysis fusing
SFS17-7951	TP2	2	sheep	femur	proximal epiphysis unfused
SFS17-7940	TP2	2	large mammal	phalanx	juvenile cortex
SFS17-7895	TP2	3	small mammal	tibia	proximal epiphysis unfused
SFS17-7874	TP2	3	seal sp.	tibia	proximal epiphysis fusing
SFS17-7870	TP2	3	large mammal	metatarsal	distal epiphysis unfused, juvenile cortex
SFS17-7871	TP2	3	unidentified mammal	scapula	distal epiphysis unfused, juvenile cortex
SFS17-7872	TP2	3	cow	femur	distal epiphysis unfused

Table 43: SFS 17, Church Cave, QC1 elements pre-adult bird and mammal bone from Test Pit 1 and Test Pit 2

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Table 44
Taxon	Size category	Context				Total
		1	2	3	4
Test pit 1
Saithe	large				1	1
	medium				3	3
	small			1		1
Pollack	large				1	1
Saithe/ollack	large				2	2
Cod family	medium			2	1	3
Gurnard family	large				1	1
Total test pit 1		0	0	3	9	12
Test pit 2
Saithe	large		1			1
	medium	6	41			47
	small		12			12
	tiny		1			1
Saithe/pollack	large	1				1
	medium	3	19			22
	small		2			2
Cod/saithe/pollack	large		2			2
	medium	1	16			17
	small		4			4
Haddock	medium		1			1
Haddock?	medium		1			1
Cod family	large		2			2
	medium	3	20			23
	small		5			5
	tiny		1			1
Wrasse family	large		1			1
	medium	1	4			5
Unidentified fish	medium		1			1
Total test pit 2		15	134	0	0	149

Table 44: Size of QC1 elements by species and context for SFS17, Church Cave, Test Pit 1 and Test Pit 2
(see Appendix 21 for definitions of the York System size categories)

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Table 45
Site/Bone ID	Provenance	Taxon	Element	Modification
SFS17-7879	TP2/3	large mammal	rib	carnivore gnawing
SFS17-7937	TP2/2	cow	mandible	carnivore gnawing
SFS17-8015	TP2/2	cod family	first vertebra	crushed
SFS17-8052	TP2/2	cod family	caudal vertebra	crushed
SFS17-8053	TP2/2	cod family	caudal vertebra	crushed
SFS10-7824	TP1/1	unidentified mammal	unidentified	root etching
SFS10-7829	TP1/1	unidentified mammal	unidentified	carnivore nawing
SFS10-7831	TP1/1	unidentified mammal	unidentified	root etching
SFS10-7832	TP1/1	unidentified mammal	unidentified	root etching

Table 45: Bone modification from all sites

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Table 46
Site/ Bone ID	Provenance	Taxon	Element	Butchery	Area	Notes
SFS10-7833	TP1/1	Mammal	Unidentified	cut
SFS10-7830	TP1/1	Mammal	Unidentified	chop
SFS10-7841	TP1/2	Cattle	Radius	chop	15
SFS17-8567	TP2/1	Otter	Phalanx 2	cut	tp	medio-lateral fine cut mark on plantar surface in middle of shaft
SFS17-8567	TP2/1	Otter	Phalanx 2	cut	tp	6 fine cut marks extending medio-laterally above distal articulation on dorsal surface. Consistent with skinning.
SFS17-7907	TP2/1	Red deer	Metatarsal	cut	tp	cut mark on dorsal surface of shaft just underneath proximal articulation
SFS17-7907	TP2/1	Red deer	Metatarsal	cut	fp	cut on proximal surface of proximal articulation
SFS17-7900	TP2/1	Mammal	Vertebra	chop	sp
SFS17-8556	TP2/2	Otter	Phalanx 2	cut	tp	4 fine roughly parallel cut marks extending medio-laterally on dorsal surface just above the distal articulation
SFS17-7948	TP2/2	Red deer	Metapodial	cut	tp	small cut mark above distal condyle
SFS17-7977	TP2/2	Cattle	Humerus	chop	tp	chop off of most distal part of distal condyle
SFS17-7953	TP2/2	Sheep	Humerus	cut	tp	4 cut marks on ventral surface (opp of dorsal)
SFS17-7892	TP2/3	Sheep/goat	Astragalus	cut	34	2 fine cut marks across the dorsal surface
SFS17-7880	TP2/3	Sheep	Radius	cut	tp	series of 7 roughly parallel medio-laterally cut marks on side of shaft
SFS17-7871	TP2/3	Mammal	Scapula	cut		2 parallel cut marks just below articular facet

Table 46: Butchery marks from all sites (tp = transverse plane, sp = sagittal plane, fp = frontal plane); Back to phalanges

SFS 17, Church Cave, served as the island church into the 20th century (Hardy & Wickham-Jones 2002, 11) and it is difficult to ascertain whether the bone assemblages are related solely to this, or to an alternative and perhaps earlier use. Certainly the fish bone assemblage from Test Pit 2, in the midden, implies the processing or consumption of fish at the site.

Shell: Periwinkle predominates in Test Pit 1 but the numbers are very small and unlikely to be statistically valid (see Tables 47 & 48, below). Limpet predominates in Test Pit 2, though there is a lot of periwinkle here too (see Illustrations 136 & 137, both below). Other species present include a significant amount of oyster and mussel in Test Pit 2 (see Table 49, below). The results of fragmentation analysis can be seen in the chart (see Illustration 138, below). The limpets are fairly fragmented (mostly between 20 and 40%), though it seems that the limpets at the base of the midden in Test Pit 2 are less fragmented than those at the top, perhaps suggesting fairly rapid accumulation (also Illustration 138, below). The periwinkles in Test Pit 2 also tend to be whole (between 75 and 94%), whereas those in Test Pit 1 are more fragmented. Skip tables.

Illus 136: SFS 17, Church Cave, limpet and periwinkle, weight in grams for individual species by context

Table 48
SFS 17: Test Pit 1	Limpets	Periwinkle	Dogwhelk	Oyster
Context 2	13	23	1	1
Context 3	4	7
Context 4	12	16		1

Table 48: SFS 17, Church Cave, marine molluscs, MNI of species by context in Test Pit 1

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Illus 137: SFS 17, Church Cave, limpet and periwinkle, MNI by context

Illus 138: SFS 17, Church Cave, limpet and periwinkle, fragmentation by context for both Test Pits

Discussion

SFS 78, Church Cave, was visited late on in the project and it was not possible to obtain C14 dates for the remains. The pottery is indicative of an Iron Age or later date, while the lace end is a common find from 15th–17th century contexts elsewhere in Scotland. This is a prominent cave which has clearly been of significance in recent times but it would not be surprising to find that it also has evidence for earlier activity.

2.2.21 SFS 46: Clachan Church, NGR NG 7139 4588

Type of Site: Findspot
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: Mid Applecross
Size: N/A
Aspect: N/A
Height OD: 7m
Ground Cover: Soil
Distance to Sea: 100m to west, open sandy bay
Distance to Fresh Water: 10m to west
Threats: Eroding molehill
Description: Findspot; a molehill just outside and beside the boundary wall to Clachan Church
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Lithics: Three regular flakes were found in the molehill, two of quartz and one of chalcedonic silica.

Discussion

Finds like this are hard to interpret but they suggest prehistoric activity in the vicinity and this is supported by other nearby evidence such as SFS 75, Applecross Manse.

2.2.22 SFS 99: Clachan Church Midden, NGR NG 7137 4576

Type of Site: Open-air midden
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: Mid Applecross
Size: 3m deep×3m wide
Aspect: Open
Height OD: 2m
Ground Cover: Logged trees
Distance to Sea: 100m to west, open sandy bay
Distance to Fresh Water: 10m to west
Threats: Eroding, logging
Description: An open midden in an area of recently felled conifer trees just south of the church (see Illustration 51, left). There was considerable ground disturbance from felling and several patches of shells were visible. The church site has early Christian origins and the midden may relate to that
Archaeology: One test pit was excavated, aligned north-west—south-east, some 12m from the southern graveyard wall. It contained six clear contexts which were surprisingly undisturbed below the surface (see Illustrations 139, top right & 140, bottom right)

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m).

• Context 9911 Thick shell midden, disturbed by the planting of the trees
• Context 9912 Undisturbed shell midden lying below contexts 9911, 9913 and 9916. This contained many oysters, periwinkles and a few limpets, all firmly packed
• Context 9913 A thin lens of accumulated silt on either side of context 9911, relating to the furrow between the rows of trees
• Context 9914 An OGS of brown sand and degraded charcoal, below context 9912. This contained pottery
• Context 9915 Natural sand and gravel which lay at the base of the section
• Context 9916 A cut, below context 9913, no doubt created by the planting of the trees. Root damage was much less than expected and all context boundaries were fairly clear. Excavation proceeded to a depth of 0.7m. The shell midden and the OGS were sampled.

Finds

Lithics: One piece of debitage of chalcedonic silica.

Pottery: A single sherd of sandy fabric and a small fragment of similar pottery.

Glass: Two sherds of olive-green glass (one rim) and a clear modern sherd.

Shell: Limpet, periwinkle and cockle were all present in significant quantities at this site (see Table 50, below; Illustration 141, below). A number of other species were also found including razor shell, clam and mussel.

Table 50
SFS 99	limpet	periwinkle	mussel	oyster	cockle	razor shell	clam	residue
Context 1	427	530	62		906	168	57	1308
Context 2	1290	345	168	48	694	66	20	3184
Context 4		4			4			22

Table 50: SFS 99, Clachan Church Midden, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Illus 141: SFS 99, Clachan Church Midden, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Dates

Two dates were obtained from this site (see Table 51, below), both from context 9914, a sealed OGS low down in the stratigraphy, containing the pottery. Both lie in the Historic period.

Table 51
SFS 99 Context	Reference	Material	Date BP	Calibrated Age
TP1 C9914	AA-50694	hazelnut shell	475±45	AD1415–1441
TP1 C9914		hazelnut shell	295±35	AD1521–1631

Table 51: SFS 99, Clachan Church Midden, radiocarbon dates. Calibration carried out using CalPal, see Section 4

Discussion

The church site here has well-referenced Early Christian origins (Canmore, NMRS nos: NG74NW 1 & 7) and it was thought that the midden might relate to that. In the event it appears to be more recent. Finds were scarce and generally undiagnostic, though the glass is post-medieval. The radiocarbon dates indicate activity in Historic times. This is a fertile location close to one of the main points of activity in Applecross, and it is not surprising to find general background debris from human settlement through the ages.

2.2.23 SFS 144: Clachan Old Harbour, NGR NG 5441 3640

Type of Site: Inter-tidal site
SFS Record: 2001
Survey Area: Islands, Raasay
Size: Unknown
Aspect: South
Height OD: Intertidal
Ground Cover: Seaweed, shallow water at high tide
Distance to Sea: 0m
Distance to Fresh Water: N/A
Threats: Eroding due to marine action and human interference
Description: In the inter-tidal zone a shallow depression in the surface of the bay reveals preserved tree remains (boles and roots) as well as peat deposits (see Illustrations 66, left, 142, top right & 143, bottom right). This has been visible since about 1995, during which time it has been dug as a source of peat for the fire. A local source describes deposits of hazelnuts as well as layers of ash and charcoal-like material though none of this is now visible. The peat layer seems to comprise compressed leaf mould and is some 300–600mm thick. It is not possible to assess the original size of the site
Archaeology: Walkover and coring for palaeoenvironmental studies (Sections 7.2 & 8.1)

Finds

Lithics: Local accounts describe a number of stone tools recovered among the peat and tree deposits here. At the time of the SFS visit one piece of flaked mudstone was collected; a broken regular blade with edge damage.

Discussion

The site provides clear evidence of alterations in relative sea-level, though the pattern of sea-level change around the Inner Sound is complex (Section 7.1). The records of lithics tantalisingly suggest that there might once have been more archaeological material here. It was not possible to obtain radiocarbon determinations from this site, but it is likely to be early.

2.2.24 SFS 147: Cnoc Na Celpeirein, NGR NG 7865 3296

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 2002
Survey Area: Loch Carron
Size: 28m deep×17m wide×4m high
Aspect: North-west on steep slope
Height OD: 10–2m, open beach
Ground Cover: None
Distance to Sea: 50m to north-west
Distance to Fresh Water: 10m to north-west
Threats: Disturbed by digging for new sewer main, definitely eroding
Description A lithic scatter exposed by digging for a sewer pipe. This has cut through the 2m and 10m raised beaches. The lithic scatter was found on the crest of the 10m beach
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Lithics: There were 41 lithic finds, all from the surface (see Table 52, below).

Table 52
SFS 147	Chalcedonic Silica	Quartz	Rùm bloodstone	Volcanic glass	Total
Totals	9	27	4	1	41
Debitage	3	6	1		10
Regular flakes	4	19	3	1	27
Blades	1	1			2
Edge retouched	1	1			2

Table 52: SFS 147, Cnoc na Celpeirein, lithics

Discussion

The lack of baked mudstone among the lithics is interesting, especially in view of the presence of a flake of volcanic glass and some Rùm bloodstone, both of which must have been brought in from further afield. The assemblage suggests activity in prehistory, perhaps during the earlier Neolithic, given the blades and retouched tools, though further work is necessary to confirm this.

2.2.25 SFS 89a & b: Coire Sgamhadail 1, NGR NG 7906 3826

Type of Site: Multiple caves with midden and structures
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: South Applecross
Size: 28m deep×17m wide×4m high
Aspect: South-west at foot of old sea cliff, steep slope to sea
Height OD: 10m
Ground Cover: Grass and bracken
Distance to Sea: 25m to south-west, open rocky and shingle
Distance to Fresh Water: In cave mouth
Threats: Stable
Description: A series of three caves lying adjacent to one another (see Illustrations 80, left, 144, top right & 145, bottom right). SFS 89a is a substantial cave sheltered to the east and largely dry. A drystone wall runs in an arc across the entrance. A rich soil with occasional periwinkles on the surface occupies the slope between the cave and the sea. SFS 89b is a smaller cave with no obvious midden. The interior is on two levels, only a couple of metres above the sea. The roof is high and the site is exposed to the west. It is situated 15m south, downhill and towards the sea from SFS 89
Archaeology: Two test pits were opened in SFS 89a, one inside the cave and one outside on the slope

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) lay inside the cave at a central point near to its mouth (see Illustrations 146, top left & 147, bottom left). It had five well-defined contexts.

• Context 8911 Modern and ancient sheep droppings
• Context 8912 Modern and ancient sheep droppings
• Context 8913 An occupation zone of the usual crushed shell and ash lenses, almost 0.5m deep. This contained iron slag
• Context 8914 A layer of whole and well preserved limpet shells
• Context 8915 Basal layer comprising large natural angular roof fall which prevented further progress

Test Pit 2: (1m×0.5m) lay outside the cave, on the slope midway (c15m) to the sea (see Illustration 148, top right).

• Context 8920 Surface vegetation of herbs
• Context 8921 A rich, peaty soil with abundant periwinkles and occasional bones and charcoal
• Context 8922 Natural tumble and rockfall

Test Pit 3: (1m×0.5m) was dug within the smaller cave SFS 89b. It was aligned east—west on an upper level within the cave (see Illustration 149, bottom right).

• Context 9010 Loose surface sheep droppings
• Context 9011 A sticky zone of ash, shell and shattered stone, not unlike context 8913 in SFS 89a
• Context 9012 Heated and shattered bedrock

Finds

Lithics: Six lithics were recovered from the test pits in SFS 89a; all are regular flakes. There were two pieces of chalcedonic silica, three of quartz and one of baked mudstone. The test pit in SFS 89b yielded one broken retouched piece of chalcedonic silica.

Coarse Stone: There were also two finds of coarse stone from SFS 89a: a bevelled pebble (ST18); and a faceted cobble (ST34).

Metalwork: A quantity of vitrified hearth/furnace lining with slag.

Bone: There were both cattle and red deer bone in equal amount, with a lesser amount of other domestic mammals: pig and sheep/goat. Of note is a juvenile badger left humerus shaft from context 8921, which bore cut marks, and a roe deer radius. In addition, Test Pit 1 yielded a mixed assemblage of fish bone including saithe or pollack, cod, Norway pout, bib or poor cod. In addition, taxa such as the corkwing wrasse, herring, and species belonging to the sea scorpion family were represented.

Shell: Limpet predominates in SFS 89a, followed by periwinkle/dogwhelk (see Table 53, below; Illustration 150, below). There are a variety of other species present but these occur in very small numbers. Context 4 also yielded a small mixed bag (60g) which contained some apices of dogwhelk and periwinkle, flat periwinkles, topshell, snail shell, and some minute marine species such as bittium. There was little shell from SFS 89b – limpet predominated with periwinkles, mussel and scallop at the top of the test pit (see Table 54, below). Skip Tables & Chart.

Table 53
SFS 89a	limpet	periwinkle / dogwhelk	mussel	oyster	scallop	razor shell	clam	residue
Test Pit 1
Context 1				30
Context 2								21
Context 3	336	10		11	9			1485
Context 4	2681	1374	41		17			3518
Test Pit 2
Context 1	62	1293	21	108		7	7	297

Table 53: SFS 89a, Coire Sgamhadail 1, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Illus 150: SFS 89a, Coire Sgamhadail 1, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Table 54
SFS 89b	limpet	periwinkle	mussel	scallop	residue
Test Pit 1
Context 1	112	4	1	11	391
Context 2	56				67

Table 54: SFS 89b, Coire Sgamhadail 2, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Dates

Two radiocarbon determinations were obtained from Test Pit 1 C8914 which was a shell midden overlying angular rockfall (see Table 55, below). Both indicate activity in the 3rd millennium BC.

Table 55
SFS 89 Context	Reference	Material	Date BP	Age
TP1 C8914	AA-50692	hazel charcoal	3815±90	2550–1950BC
TP1 C8914	AA-50693	mammal bone	3695±65	2290–1880BC

Table 55: SFS 89a, Coire Sgamhadail 1, radiocarbon dates, see Section 4

Discussion

The flaked tools are undiagnostic regarding date or period, though the coarse stone tools have been associated with both Mesolithic and later material elsewhere. The radiocarbon dates lie in the 3rd millennium BC and this is in general agreement with the stone finds, but the metalwork is an indication that this site continued to be used into more recent times.

2.2.26 SFS 90: Coire Sgamhadail 3–6, NGR NG 7880 3820

Type of Site: Multiple rockshelters with midden
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: South Applecross
Size: 3–4m deep×30m wide×1.5m high
Aspect: South
Height OD: 18m
Ground Cover: Bracken
Distance to Sea: 25m to south, open rocky and shingle
Distance to Fresh Water: 10m to west
Threats: Stable
Description: A series of prominent conjoined rockshelters containing several areas of shell midden (see Illustrations 151, left & 152, right). These sites have a bright southerly aspect and overlook a shingle beach. Within the rockshelters and on the terrace below it are several trees and lots of large jumbled angular boulders containing very few level areas
Archaeology: Three test pits were excavated, Test Pits 1 and 2 were located inside two different rockshelters and Test Pit 3 was located on the terrace in front of the rockshelters.

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) Aligned north-east—south-west near the eastern end of the shelter (see Illustration 153, right).

• Context CS11 Dispersed and degraded mixed shells, periwinkle, oyster and limpet in a dark brown matrix
• Context CS12 Dispersed and degraded mixed shells, periwinkle, oyster and limpet in a brown creamy matrix
• Context CS13 Dispersed and degraded mixed shells, periwinkle, oyster and limpet in a brown silty matrix
• Context CS14 Rockfall and clean wind blown sand. Bedrock was not reached

Test Pit 2: (1m×0.5m). Aligned east—west at the western end of the shelter, just south of a possible hearth (see Illustration 154, left).

• Context CS21 Dispersed and degraded mixed shells, periwinkle, oyster and limpet in a black silty matrix
• Context CS22 Dispersed and degraded mixed shells, periwinkle, oyster and limpet in a light brown matrix
• Context CS23 Light brown sterile gritty sandy soil, the matrix within CS24
• Context CS24 Angular rock-fall

Bedrock was not encountered and root action was intense in this trench.

Test Pit 3: (1m×0.5m). Aligned north-east—south-west, outside and slightly below the main rock-shelter terrace (see Illustration 155, right).

• Context CS31 Crumbly dark brown soil, intensely rooted and containing varied shell and bone remains
• Context CS32 Crumbly black rich soil, intensely rooted with many varied shells and bone fragments
• Context CS33 Angular blocks of sandstone, probable roof fall

Bedrock was not reached.

Finds

Lithics: There were eight lithic finds, all of chalcedonic silica. Three are regular flakes and the rest is debitage.

Clay: A sub-rectangular object with uneven surfaces, presumably an accidentally-fired piece of clay, Test Pit 2.

Metalwork: There were several pieces of copper-alloy including a pin tip (probably from a medieval or post-medieval buckle or brooch pin), a stud (see Illustration 156, left) and a broken lace end (see Illustration 157, right), all from Test Pit 2. The stud comprises a hollow dome fastened by rolled sheet rivet. The gap between the stud and the flattened end of the rivet is very small (c1mm), implying that it ornamented a thin organic medium such as leather. The type is not chronologically diagnostic, although the zinc levels indicate a post-Iron Age date. There are also two pieces of iron from the same test pit: a small iron collar; and a heavily concreted and highly fragmented object which appears to comprise fragments of a small knife.

Bone: This assemblage is dominated by the remains of more than one leveret, (young hare); these demonstrate no evidence of butchery marks or carcass division and are probably non-anthropogenic in origin. The remainder of the assemblage comprises the loose teeth of sheep/goat, with lesser amounts of red deer, pig and cattle teeth present. This bias toward teeth may be a result of poor preservation. Some evidence of small mammals was recovered, including field vole.

Shell: Periwinkle predominated at this site, followed by limpet (see Table 56, below; Illustration 158, below). A wide variety of other species were present, particularly in the lower levels. Oyster was found throughout, though it was more prevalent in Test Pits 2 and 3. In Test Pit 3 significant quantities of carpet shell, cockle and venus shell were also found.

Illus 158: SFS 90, Coire Sgamhadail 3, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Discussion

Most of the material is undiagnostic though probably post-medieval. Some craft activity may have taken place on site, perhaps non-ferrous sheet metalworking, though the stud might suggest production or repair of ornamental leatherwork. The quantity of material implies a small-scale activity, and repair work rather than production.

2.2.27 SFS 49: Creag Na-H-Uamha, NGR NG 7174 6092

Type of Site: Cave with midden and structure
SFS Record: 2000
References:Canmore NMRS Number: NG76SW 1&6
Survey Area: North Applecross
Size: 15m deep×4.5m wide×2.5m high
Aspect: South-west to slope
Height OD: 4–5m
Ground Cover: Grass and nettles
Distance to Sea: 30m to south-west, rocky, sheltered bay
Distance to Fresh Water: 200m to south-east
Threats: Open grazing, used as sheep shelter, erosion
Description: A known cave that is recorded on current Ordnance Survey maps (see Illustration 47, left). A recent, low, rubble-built wall stands to a height of 1.5m at the entrance of the cave (see Illustration 159, right). Midden and lithics were visible when the site was visited and the remains of a recent hearth with fire darkened stones lay in the centre of the cave
Archaeology: Two test pits were excavated inside the rockshelter

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) was placed behind the enclosure wall where midden was exposed at the surface.

• Context 1001 A loose layer of midden which included modern pottery and an iron nail
• Context 1002 The basal layer of the midden. The maximum depth of the midden was established at 0.50m

Test Pit 2: (1m×0.50m) was located close to the eastern wall of the cave approximately midway between the entrance and the rear of the cave. It was dug to a depth of 0.70m (see Illustration 160, right).

• Context 2001 A humic plastic layer, rich in sheep excrement to a depth of 0.15m. Modern iron, glass and wood were recovered
• Context 2002 Large angular boulders derived from roof fall
• Context 2003 Shell rich midden underlying the boulders with limpet and periwinkle shells and occasional fragments of animal bone
• Context 2004 A layer of sea-rounded cobbles at a depth of 0.35m
• Context 2005 Midden intermixed with angular fractured stones
• Context 2006 Loose stones increasing in frequency intermixed with soil rich in shell
• Context 2007 The basal layer of the cave

Finds

Lithics: Two pieces of chalcedonic silica were recovered from Test Pit 1. One was a regular flake and the other was debitage.

Shells: Test Pit 1 had some variation through the contexts as limpet predominated towards the top of the midden and periwinkle at the bottom (see Table 57, below; Illustration 161, below). Dogwhelk was only present in Context 3 and was weighed with the periwinkles. The limpet shells were very large. There was very little shell material from Context 2. In Test Pit 2 shell was only found in Context 3, and comprised mainly limpet with some periwinkle and dogwhelk.

Table 57
SFS 49	limpet	periwinkle / dogwhelk	mussel	oyster	razor shell	residue
Test Pit 1
Context 1						3
Context 3	637	165	49			395
Context 6	100	172				117
Context 8	215	374	11	18	7	323
Test Pit 2
Context 3	97	42				308

Table 57: SFS 49, Creag na h-Uamha, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Illus 161: SFS 49, Creag na h-Uamha, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Dates

Three samples were taken for dating, from Test Pit 1, context 1002, and Test Pit 2, context 2003 – a shell-rich midden underlying roof fall and overlying a layer of sea-rounded cobbles (see Table 58, below).

Table 58
SFS 49 Context	Reference	Material	Date BP	Age
TP1 C1002 Spit 8	AA-50679	hazel charcoal	625±35	AD1290–1410
TP1 C1002 Spit 8	AA-50680	alder charcoal	620±35	AD1290–1410
TP2 C2003	AA-50681	mammal bone	2165±45	370–50BC

Table 58: SFS 49, Creag na h-Uamha, radiocarbon dates, see Section 4

Discussion

The dates suggest two distinct periods of activity, represented in the two different test pits. Test Pit 2 had the older indication – in the first three centuries BC, while Test Pit 1 yielded 14th-century AD dates. There were no finds except for the two lithics from Test Pit 1 which are undiagnostic. They may represent earlier background ‘noise’, or the later use of stone flakes. The wall across the entrance of the cave suggests that the site was used as a livestock enclosure in the recent past. Additionally, a hearth setting with fire darkened stones near the entrance suggests that the cave has recently been used as a camp site.

2.2.28 SFS 2: Crowlin 1, NGR NG 691 338

Type of Site: Rockshelter with midden
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: Islands (Crowlin Islands)
Size: 10m deep×25m wide×7m high
Aspect: South-west
Height OD: 6m
Ground Cover: Rocky boulders
Distance to Sea: Adjacent
Distance to Fresh Water: None
Threats: Human
Description: A large highly visible rockshelter with a large overhang that shelters a small level platform with evidence for numerous rockfalls (see Illustrations 6, top left; 162 lower left & 163, top right). Midden material was abundant on the surface, mostly comprising loose material with apparent clusters of oysters and limpets (see Illustration 164, lower right). Some shell midden material was also visible between and below some of the larger rockfall
Archaeology: Three test pits were opened. Test Pit 1 to the rear of the rockshelter, and Test Pit 2 and Test Pit 3 just outside

Test Pit 1: (1×0.5m) was located at the back of the rockshelter (see Illustrations 165, left & 166, lower right).

• Context 101 The surface layer consisted of dung c0.5m thick
• Context 102 A compact, dark greasy layer was exposed. This layer consisted of a series of laminated deposits alternating between organic-rich layers and largely mineral layers. The upper organic layers were largely sterile of shell and bone but both became more frequent with depth
• Context 103 Under these alternating layers, lay a shallow mixed deposit of clay silts containing grit, the occasional small angular stone and an occasional fleck of shell
• Context 104 A shallow band of dark organic material, possibly dung
• Context 105 A deposit of organic material with occasional ash lenses, charcoal flecks and occasional stones and some inclusions of decaying shell
• Context 106 A shallow layer of organic material
• Context 107 A shallow layer of organic material with small angular stones
• Context 108 A thick deposit of shell-rich organic material containing bone and some angular stones, charcoal flecks and some large stone fragments. The shells, most of which are intact, are mainly limpet with oyster, scallop and whelk
• Context 109 A shallow layer of crushed shell and occasional grit fragments
• Context 110 A shallow layer of dark grey midden material, with mainly crushed shell
• Context 111 A damp sandy grey deposit containing the occasional fragment of shell and some small and medium angular stones
• Context 112 Basal deposit, natural bedrock

Test Pit 2: (1m×0.5m) was located at the front of the cave to create a 1m wide section in the talus slope (see Illustrations 167, left & 168, right).

• Context 201 Large angular boulders with large voids
• Context 202 Dry and loose crushed shells, charcoal, bone and angular small stones
• Context 203 Shell-rich midden layer containing oyster, limpet, periwinkle and land snails in a fine organic silty-sand matrix. Contains small angular sandstone pieces, charcoal, animal and fish bones
• Context 204 Semi-compact layer of small to medium angular cobbles
• Context 205 Shell-rich midden layer containing oyster, limpet, periwinkle and land snails in a fine organic silty-sand matrix. Contains small angular sandstone pieces, charcoal, animal and fish bones

Test Pit 3: (1×0.5m) was opened in the area where some flaked stone pieces, including a gunflint, and limpet shells were found on the surface (see Illustrations 169, below left; 170, below middle left; 171, below middle right & 172, right).

• Context 301 A layer of midden composed of various shells broken and whole, mammal and fish bones in a silty matrix with small angular stones
• Context 302 A shell-rich layer containing charcoal and animal and fish bone. Shells include limpet, winkles and a few oysters
• Context 303 Red sandstone cobbles and boulders. With some broken shells in voids

Finds

Lithics: There were 31 lithic finds from Crowlin 1 (see Table 59, below).

Table 59
SFS 2	Chalcedonic silica and flint	Quartz and quartzite	Baked mudstone	Total
Totals	26	4	1	31
Debitage	19	3		22
Cores		1 bipolar		1
Regular flakes	6		1	7
Gunflint	1			1

Table 59: SFS 2, Crowlin 1, lithics

Coarse Stone tools: There were three coarse stone tools, a plain hammerstone (ST23), a bevelled pebble (ST21) and a ground stone tool (ST40). The ground stone tool is a piece of tabular sandstone which appears to have been ground on both faces to form an acute edge angle with a curved outline. It is very similar in shape and dimensions to a piece from the Mesolithic site at Kinloch, Rùm (Clarke 1990, illus 78.4) though the grinding is not as obvious as that on the Rùm piece.

Bone tools: A trapezoidal piece (BT23) with a smooth rounded end was found in Test Pit 1.

Metalwork: There were two metal finds both from Test Pit 1: a single shank fragment of an iron nail, and an irregular sub-square sheet of lead with one edge broken (see Illustration 173, right). The slightly undulating surface suggests it may have been a patch shaped to fit an underlying object.

Bone: There was a mixed assemblage of fish bones including saithe or pollack, herring and cod.

Shell: Limpet predominates with some oyster and periwinkle (see Illustration 174, below; Table 60, below).

Table 60
Crowlin 1 SFS 2	limpet	periwinkle	oyster	residue
Test Pit 1
Spit 2				37
Spit 4		<1		34
Spit 5				69
Spit 6				333
Spit 7	604	167	208	136
Spit 8	189	15	60	54
Spit 9	182	29	115	26
Spit 10	79	38	245	46
Spit 11	4	2		4
Spit 12	975	191	196	252
Test Pit 2
Spit 2	355	50		120
Spit 4	158	18	453	474
Spit 5	356	38	206	582
Test Pit 3
Spit 2	1865	323	44	155
Spit 3				100

Table 60: SFS 2, Crowlin 1, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Illus 174: SFS 2, Crowlin 1, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Dates

Crowlin 1 yielded four radiocarbon determinations (see Table 61, below). Test Pit 1 yielded a wide spread of determinations: one in the 2nd century AD; and two in the 15th–16th centuries AD. Test Pit 3 yielded a date in the 8th century AD.

Table 61
SFS 2 Context	Reference	Material	Date BP	Age
TP3 Spit 4	OxA-9250	Birch charcoal	1296±39	AD650–810
TP1 Spit 11	OxA-9251	Birch charcoal	1799±37	AD120–340
TP1 Spit 6	OxA-9252	Birch charcoal	477±35	AD1400–1480
TP1 Spit 5	OxA-9253	Worked point of deer bone	316±39	AD1480–1560

Table 61: SFS 2, Crowlin 1, radiocarbon dates, see Section 4

Discussion

The evidence from Test Pits 2 and 3 suggests that the visible remains of the midden material post-date the rockfall events. Time constraints and safety issues prevented removal of the substantial quantities of rockfall that would have been required to demonstrate an earlier use of the site. Test Pit 1 indicates that the midden is a complex accumulation of material with periods of abandonment probably over a long period of time. With the exception of the gunflint, the lithics are not diagnostic: it is possible that they suggest early activity, but they might equally have resulted from the later use of flaked stone. Two of the coarse stone tools (ST21 & ST40) might be early; parallels exist on other Mesolithic sites. The dates, however, are all post-prehistoric and Crowlin 1 has clearly attracted attention over the years. Interestingly, one of the debitage chunks has damage suggesting that it was later used as a strike-a-light, so that it may be that later occupants of the shelter came across relics of earlier users. The gunflint is small, and of dark flint, it obviously fits happily into the period of use suggested by the later dates, and this is supported by the lead sheet as lead is uncommon before the medieval period. It is not hard to imagine various scenarios whereby a rockshelter like this would be useful.

2.2.29 SFS 22: Crowlin 3 Sea Cave, NGR NG 6902 3415

Type of Site: Cave with midden and structures
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: Islands (Crowlin Islands)
Size: 2m deep×2m wide×2m high
Aspect: South at foot of small cliff
Height OD: 5m
Ground Cover: Scree and heather
Distance to Sea: 25m to west to sheltered rocky coast
Distance to Fresh Water: 200m to north
Threats: Stable
Description: A former sea cave that has collapsed to form a V-shaped cleft (see Illustrations 175, top left; 176, bottom left & 177, right). About 3m from the rear of the cave are the collapsed remains of a drystone wall. A narrow entrance on the eastern side allowed access into the cave’s interior. Sheep excrement inside the cave suggests it has been used to pen livestock. Traces of midden material were visible on the surface of the floor at the rear of the cave
Archaeology: Two test pits were excavated

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.50m) was placed at the back of the cave and contained five contexts (see Illustration 178, right).

• Context 3001 A surface layer of decayed sheep excrement with varying amounts of flotsam, 0.12m deep
• Context 3002 A blacker humified layer lying beneath a large stone measuring 0.42m×0.40m. This layer was very wet and contained charcoal flecks, flint and quartz flakes and a copper-alloy shirt button
• Context 3003 A cream-coloured layer probably of animal fat, to a depth of 0.25m, with no finds
• Context 3004 A compacted deposit of charcoal rich soil containing occasional fragments of animal bone and limpet shell and fragments of non-carbonised wood
• Context 3005 Basal sequence which attained a depth of 0.60m. Waterlogged with fine laminations of the cream deposit identified in Context 3003

Test Pit 2: was placed outside the entrance approximately 6m outside the collapsed wall (see Illustration 179, right).

• Context 3001 Turf
• Context 3002 A midden deposit with a maximum depth of 0.20m. Limpet shell dominated; a possible worked flint and an iron nail were recovered from this layer
• Context 3003 Large angular blocks of talus material at a depth of 0.20m. The voids between the boulders were partially infilled by fractured shell. No excavation was undertaken beyond this depth

Finds

Lithics: There were 60 lithic finds from Crowlin 3 (see Table 62, below).

Table 62
SFS 22	Chalcedonic silica and flint	Quartz and quartzite	Total
Totals	55	5	60
Debitage	35	3	38
Regular Flakes	20	2	22

Table 62: SFS 22, Crowlin 3, lithics

Pottery: There were three pieces of glazed pottery, all from Test Pit 1.

Glass: 11 fragments of glass were recovered from Test Pit 1, Spits 2 and 3.

Metalwork: A shotgun pellet and a pistol ball, both of lead, were recovered from Test Pit 1 (Spits 2 & 3). Interestingly, the pistol ball appears to have been fired. In addition there were several iron objects: a circular button; three boat nails and a rove; three small tacks; and 44 nail fragments, all of which came from Test Pit 1, Spits 2 and 3. There was also a small amount of ironworking slag.

Bone: The remains of juvenile rabbits dominate and probably represent material of non-anthropogenic origin. Domestic mammals were represented by a few pig and sheep bones and a fragment of goat jaw. A tiny piece of red deer antler was recovered and evidence for seabird exploitation was demonstrated by the cut mark on a shag ulna found in association with a shag humerus. Also present were the bones of other small- and medium-sized examples of the auk species. Finally, fragments of a mouse (probably common dormouse) were also recovered. Test Pit 1 also yielded a mixed assemblage of fish bone including saithe or pollack, ling and conger eel, suggesting deep water fishing.

Shell: In all contexts there is a predominance of limpets (see Table 63, below; Illustration 180, below). There is a greater variety of species in Test Pit 1 but on the whole fewer shells compared with Test Pit 2.

Illus 180: SFS 22, Crowlin 3, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Dates

Two radiocarbon dates indicate activity in the late 2nd millennium AD (see Table 64, below).

Table 64
SFS 22 Context	Reference	Material	Date BP	Age
TP1 C3005	AA-50671	Pig bone	340±40	AD1450–1650
TP1 C3005	AA-50672	hazelnut shell	145±55	AD1660–1960
TP1 C3002	AA-50670	Ungulate bone	75±30	AD1680–1960

Table 64: SFS 22, Crowlin 3, radiocarbon dates, see Section 4

Discussion

The lithics are an undiagnostic assemblage, but it is interesting to note that most of the pieces are fairly chunky and six have damage suggestive of their use as strike-a-lights while one may be a crude gunflint. The assemblage might well represent later stone working activity: a limited amount of stone working went on into historic times to produce strike-a-lights and gunflints, the results of which are found in small numbers on many later sites. This would agree with the radiocarbon determinations and evidence of the metalwork and other finds, much of which is post-medieval. The slag suggests that small-scale metalworking may have taken place here, perhaps to do with boat repair. It seems that a working gun or pistol was part of the possessions of those who were using this site.

2.2.30 SFS 23: Crowlin 4, NGR NG 6909 3496

Type of Site: Rockshelter
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: Islands (Crowlin Islands)
Size: 10m deep×3m wide×1.5m high
Aspect: South in front of slope to sea
Height OD: 30m
Ground Cover: Heather and bracken
Distance to Sea: 200m to west to sheltered rocky coast
Distance to Fresh Water: 50m to south
Threats: Stable
Description: A small rockshelter that has been enhanced by walling, but with no visible shell midden (see Illustration 181, right)
Archaeology: One test pit was excavated inside the rockshelter

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m). The test pit was aligned north-west—south-east and attained a depth of 0.6m (see Illustration 182, right). No occupational remains were found apart from charcoal flecks. The dark brown silty peat contained few stones. No samples were taken.

• Context C231 Damp, gritty peat with bracken roots
• Context C232 Damp, black silty peat with charcoal flecks and a granular feel. Possibly manganese deposits
• Context C233 Sticky mid-brown silty clay with charcoal flecks, containing rock slabs from roof fall

Roof fall prevented further excavation.

Finds

Lithics: There was one piece of flaked stone from Crowlin 4, a debitage flake of chalcedonic silica.

Pottery: Four fragments of glazed pottery were recovered from Test Pit 1, Spit 1.

Copper-alloy: Belt mount (Test Pit 1, Spit 1), with figure-of-eight piercing for engaging a stud fastening. The mount was secured to a strap or bolt by being bent over the top of it. The mount still has some mineralised leather adhering to its back. Possibly 19th or 20th century.

Bone: The incisor and femoral proximal epiphyses of a sheep/goat were the only two fragments identified.

Shell: There was very little shell material from this site and what there was, was very fragmentary: limpet (32g), periwinkle (11g) and residue mainly made up of limpet shell (299g).

Discussion

There is nothing to suggest early use of this cave: the lithic find is undiagnostic; the belt mount is relatively recent as is the glazed pottery. Sporadic activity in recent times is indicated.

2.2.31 SFS 24: Crowlin 5, NGR NG 6899 3535

Type of Site: Rockshelter with midden and structures
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: Islands (Crowlin Islands)
Size: 10m deep×5m wide×3.5m high
Aspect: South-west at foot of sea cliff
Height OD: 5m
Ground Cover: Bracken
Distance to Sea: 25m to west to sheltered rocky coast
Distance to Fresh Water: 200m to north
Threats: Stable
Description: A large, damp rockshelter with a walled area to the south which remains dry and contains a small shell midden (see Illustration 183, right)
Archaeology: Two test pits were excavated

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m), excavated in the walled area.

• Context 2411 Surface sheep droppings
• Context 2412 A dark brown peaty soil without artefacts or shell remains
• Context 2413 Light brown sand containing occasional charcoal, again without artefacts or shell
• Context 2414 Bedrock

Test Pit 2: (1m×0.5m) excavated outside beyond the drip line. Test Pit 2 contained a natural soil profile of sphagnum moss overlying a mass of roots with bedrock below. There was no archaeological content.

Discussion

Apart from the walling, there are no significant archaeological remains on this site. One interesting feature was present however: a series of branches hammered into cracks and fissures in the roof of the shelter and projecting outwards. These may have supported a screen against the weather. They were not seen at other sites, but it may be that the remoteness of this shelter has saved them from extraction.

2.2.32 SFS 26: Crowlin 7, NGR NG 6840 3500

Type of Site: Rockshelter with midden
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: Islands (Crowlin Islands)
Size: 20m wide×6m deep
Aspect: South above slope to sea
Height OD: 6m
Ground Cover: Scree and heather
Distance to Sea: 20m to south to rocky coast
Distance to Fresh Water: Unknown
Threats: Stable

Description: A large, open rockshelter offering a degree of protection from the elements. To the rear of the shelter there are a series of blocked tunnels in which otters live. These may have formed a sheltered small cave or secondary rockshelter at some time in the past. The site extends for some 25m at right angles to the sea. Two test pits were excavated here in the most likely points within the extensive shelter
Archaeology: Two test pits were excavated within the shelter, Test Pit 1 within the small area of visible midden and Test Pit 2 to the rear of the shelter adjacent to the otters’ habitation Test Pit 1 contained five contexts

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m), aligned north-west—south-east within the small visible shell midden (see Illustration 184, right).

• Context 2611 A thick surface layer of loose sand and occasional shells
• Context 2612 Sand and peat lenses which contained shells as well as fish and animal bones
• Context 2613 An organic rich lens of shell, bone and charcoal in a burnt looking matrix, located in the north-west of the trench, the burning was reflected on the bedrock it abutted
• Context 2614 An orangey perhaps heat-affected sand underlying context 2612 on the south-east
• Context 2615 A bedrock pillar occupying the central part of the trench

Apart from the bedrock pillar which divided the trench, no certain natural layer was reached.

Test Pit 2: (1m×0.5m) Aligned north—south outside the otters’ tunnels in the highest part of the shelter (see Illustration 185, left).

• Context 2620 Loose sand and angular rockfall
• Context 2621 A thin lens of shells, bones and charcoal in a brown matrix
• Contexts 2622/2623 A rapid accumulation of random angular roof-fall with voids and no occupational remains

Neither trench reached bedrock.

Finds

Lithics: There were four pieces of chalcedonic silica from Crowlin 7. In addition to a blade segment there was a regular flake and two pieces of debitage.

Bone: The majority of material at this site was identified as sheep comprising at least three individuals: one older animal over 3.5; one between 2 and 3.5 years; and one neonate. A couple of rabbit bones were also recorded. There is no evidence for cultural modification of any of the elements present. Some material was identified, by preservation, as modern, and the presence of articulated ribs and vertebra suggest that these may be the remains of natural deaths.

Shell: Limpet predominates and the limpets from this site are large, but in Test Pit 1 Context 3 there is a variety of species (see Table 65, below).

Dates

One radiocarbon determination was obtained from a secure stratification within Context 2613, an organic rich lens of shell, bone and charcoal abutting bedrock (see Table 66, below). This suggests activity in the later 18th century AD.

Table 66
SFS 26 Context	Reference	Material	Date BP	Age
TP1 C2613	AA-50673	hazelnut shell	315±60	AD1780–1800

Table 66: SFS 26, Crowlin 7, radiocarbon dates, see Section 4

Discussion

There was a general lack of finds from this site, apart from a few undiagnostic lithics. The dates suggest recent activity.

2.2.33 SFS 190: Diabeg, NGR NG 7998 5968

Type of Site: Findspot
SFS Record: 2002
Survey Area: Loch Torridan
Size: N/A
Aspect: West
Height OD: 50m
Ground Cover: Scree and heather
Distance to Sea: 100m to west, cliffs
Distance to Fresh Water: Unknown
Threats: Stable
Description: Findspot
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Lithics: A single regular flake of quartz was found on the footpath at Diabeg.

Discussion

Isolated finds such as this support a general low level of activity across the area from prehistoric times.

2.2.34 SFS 152: Doire Na Guaile, NG 6211 5487

SFS 152, Doire na Guaile: plan of cave

Type of Site: Rockshelter with midden
SFS Record: 2002
Survey Area: Islands (Rona)
Size: 2m deep×6m wide×2m high
Aspect: North, level ground surface
Height OD: 35m
Ground Cover: Heather and grass
Distance to Sea: 10m to north
Distance to Fresh Water: Unknown
Threats: Stable
Description: This is a north-facing rockshelter containing shell midden (see Illustrations 24, top left; 77, bottom left; & 186, top right).
Archaeology: Following an initial shovel pit, in which lithics were found, one test pit was excavated at the entrance to the rockshelter, in the midden, to the east of the shovel pit. It contained five contexts (see Illustration 187, bottom right).

• Context 1 Turf and soil
• Context 2 Build up of stones and soils between and over the shell midden
• Context 3 Shell midden containing mix of limpet and periwinkle. Finds include lithics, pottery and bone
• Context 4 Stone fragments lying between massive rocks
• Context 5 Bedrock

Finds

Lithics: There were 79 flakes from Doire na Guaile, all of quartz with the exception of three pieces of baked mudstone. Twenty are debitage flakes and the rest are regular flakes.

Coarse Stone: A fragment of a rounded hammerstone.

Shell: Limpet predominated here (see Illustrations 188 & 189, both below; Tables 67 & 68, below). This is shown by the MNI, but the fragmentation shows that the limpets are highly fragmented while the dogwhelks are more or less whole (see Illustration 190, below) so that it is possible that some of the limpet shell has been lost to taphonomic processes and therefore the weights are under-representative. There is also a significant amount of dogwhelk and some periwinkle. Skip Table & Charts.

Table 67
SFS 152 Test Pit 1	limpet	periwinkle	dogwhelk
Context 1	128	27	978
Context 3	868	67	2292

Table 67: SFS 152, Doire na Guaile, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Illus 188: SFS 152, Doire na Guaile, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Table 68
SFS 152	Limpets	Periwinkle	Dogwhelk
Context 1	88	7	131
Context 3	712	23	405

Table 68: SFS 152, Doire na Guaile, marine molluscs, MNI for individual species by context

Illus 189: SFS 152, Doire na Guaile, marine molluscs, MNI for individual species by context

Illus 190: SFS 152, Doire na Guaile, fragmentation of marine molluscs. Calculations were only made for context 3 in the case of the periwinkles because the sample size was too small for context 1

Discussion

The finds are undiagnostic and could represent activity at any time from prehistory into recent times, though the size of the lithic assemblage, and lack of other finds, suggest a prehistoric date.

2.2.35 SFS 117: Dun Hasan 2, NGR NG 5274 6270

Type of Site: Findspot
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: Trotternish
Size: N/A
Aspect: South-east on grassy level terrace
Height OD: 40m
Ground Cover: Grass
Distance to Sea: 40m to south-east, high cliffs
Distance to Fresh Water: 25m to west
Threats: Open grazing, eroding
Description: Lithic scatter on top of cliffs (see Illustration 191, right)

Finds

Lithics: Three pieces of debitage were recovered from the surface of this site. Two are chalcedonic silica and the third is baked mudstone.

Pottery: One abraded body sherd of well-fired sandy clay.

Discussion

The finds are few in number and undiagnostic. They may relate to prehistoric activity, but further work would be needed to clarify this.

2.2.36 SFS 104: Fearnmore 1, NGR NG 7247 6081

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: North Applecross
Size: Unknown
Aspect: South-south-east on grassy slope
Height OD: 8–10m
Ground Cover: Bracken, grass, nettles
Distance to Sea: 60m to east, sheltered rocky cove
Distance to Fresh Water: 30m to south
Threats: Eroding, footpath and grazing
Description: Fearnmore is on the south side of Loch Torridon and has good views to the north across the water to Craig and Redpoint (see Illustrations 43, left & 192, right). This open site comprises a lithic scatter which appears to be centred on an isolated knoll to the north of a sheltered bay, inland and to the west of the shore. A modern cruck-framed house stands on the summit of the knoll and the test pits were located to the south of it
Archaeology: Six test pits were excavated

Test Pits 1, 2, 3: (all 1m×0.5m) These three test pits were situated on a sloping terrace that would have run down to the water when the sea-level was higher. The test pits were positioned in bracken and grass and all contained homogeneous plough soil overlying bedrock (Contexts 10411-12, 10421-2, 10431-2). Lithics were recovered from all locations.

• Test Pit 1 aligned east—west
• Test Pit 2 aligned north-east—south-west
• Test Pit 3 aligned north-west—south-east

Test Pit 4: (1m×0.5m) was positioned below a giant boulder on the lip of the plateau, in a shallow gully that runs erratically down the terrace (see Illustration 193, right).

• Context 10440 Surface grass and reeds
• Context 10441 A deeper homogeneous topsoil
• Context 10442 A granular peaty lens
• Context 10443 Stained but clean sand
• Context 10444 Bedrock

Large numbers of lithics were recovered from this trench

Test Pit 5: (1m×0.5m) was positioned just below the edge of the upper terrace, close to the giant boulder (see Illustration 194, left).

• Context 10450 Surface grass and bracken
• Context 10451 A deep plough soil, homogeneous and heavily rooted
• Context 10452 An older plough soil
• Context 10453 Bedrock

Some lithics were recovered but fewer than in Test Pit 4.

Test Pit 6: (1m×0.5m) was positioned on the lip of the upper terrace to ascertain the quantities of lithics here (see Illustration 195, right). A similar number to those found in Test Pit 5 were found, again in plough soil overlying bedrock.

• Context 10460 Grass and bracken
• Context 10461 Homogeneous mid brown plough soil
• Context 10462 Bedrock

Finds

Lithics: A large assemblage, of 754 lithics, was recovered from Fearnmore 1 (see Table 69, below). Retouched pieces comprise the three microliths: one broken crescent, a fine point, and a fragment. The greatest concentration of material was found in Test Pits 4–6 (see Table 70, below).

Table 69
SFS 104 Fearnmore 1	Baked mudstone	Rùm bloodstone	Chalcedonic silica	Quartz	Total
Totals	115	40	131	468	754
Debitage	50	33	95	339	517
Blades	2		1		3
Regular flakes	63	6	33	129	231
Microliths		1	2		3

Table 69: SFS 104, Fearnmore 1, lithics

---

Table 70
SFS 104	Quantity of lithics
Surface	137
TP1	6
TP2	6
TP3	31
TP4	166
TP5	269
TP6	139

Table 70: SFS 104, Fearnmore 1, lithics per test pit

Coarse Stone: A single facially pecked cobble tool (ST35).

Glazed pottery: Twenty-one sherds and fragments of glazed pottery, including a pipe stem, were recovered. These came from the surface spits in Test Pits 1–4 and from the surface of the site generally.

Glass: An olive-green sherd from Test Pit 3 Spit 1; and two clear sherds from Test Pit 4, Spit 1.

Discussion

The lithic assemblage comprises material from both the manufacture and use of stone tools. Although it includes all of the raw materials commonly used around the Inner Sound, the dominance of local material, quartz, is notable, as is the lesser use of Rùm bloodstone which had to be brought in from further away. The baked mudstone is likely to have come from Staffin Bay across the Inner Sound while the chalcedonic silica may be local though there are also good sources of it in Staffin.

It is interesting that baked mudstone was clearly preferred for the manufacture of regular flakes, though the local knappers were also able to make many good flakes of quartz. Only three modified tools were recovered from this site and all are microliths. There is one broken crescent, a fine point, and an unidentifiable fragment, all from a narrow-blade industry.

The general cultural characteristics of the lithic assemblage suggest a Mesolithic date for the site, though the possibility of later activity as well cannot be ruled out. Fearnmore 1 is a good location for occupation. This is a site that would repay more detailed investigation.

The pottery and glass are all more recent, post-medieval to modern, and probably reflect the presence of a well used footpath across the site.

The lithic scatter is widely spread but appears to be concentrated around the boulder and in the gully or ditch running down the terrace. Few finds seem to be in situ, due to considerable slopewash and plough action; the more recent finds could have come from manuring or from the house on the hill.

2.2.37 SFS 80: Fearnmore 2, NGR NG 7258 6077

Type of Site: Rockshelter with midden
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: North Applecross
Size: 8m wide×1.5m deep×0.5m high
Aspect: West
Height OD: 4–5m
Ground Cover: Bracken
Distance to Sea: 5m to west
Distance to Fresh Water: 50m to west
Threats: Stable
Description: This rockshelter has very little protection from the elements and the mossy surface outside is wet but without standing water (see Illustration 196, right). Access is restricted by a low roof and the shelter is no more than 0.5m high and occurs in a raised old sea cliff at 4m OD. A sparse shell midden is visible at the rear but cannot be reached for sampling due to very wet ground and the low roof. A second possible shelter lies about 25m to the north and was not test pitted.
Archaeology: One test pit was excavated

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) aligned east—west and excavated just outside the low overhang on a surface of mosses and bracken (see Illustration 197, right).

• Context 8001 Bracken, moss and patchy grass
• Context 8002 A thin silty sand with charcoal flecks and heavily rooted peat
• Context 8003 Bedrock

Finds

Lithics: A chunk of quartz was found on the surface of this site.

Discussion

The difficulty of access means that the shells are likely to have blown into the shelter but could have been thrown in from outside. Once inside movement would be restricted to lying down. No human activity can be demonstrated on this site at present.

2.2.38 SFS 114: Fergus’ Shelter, NGR NG 7571 3714

Type of Site: Multiple rockshelters with midden and structures
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: South Applecross
Size: 10m deep×2m wide×2m high
Aspect: North-east
Height OD: 240–250m
Ground Cover: Moss and grass
Distance to Sea: 1500m to south east
Distance to Fresh Water: 10m to north
Threats: Stable
Description: One of a series of conjoined rockshelters with much repaired walls along their perimeters, below the drip lines (see Illustration 79, left & 198, top right). A large number of small circular and sub-circular structures lay outside and below the shelters. This site lies c1.5 miles from the sea but it contains a large shell midden (see Illustration 199, bottom right)
Archaeology: One test pit was excavated
Notes: The site of Fergus’ Shelter is unusual in being one of the only rockshelter sites that lies inland

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) aligned north-west—south-east on a north-west-facing slope within the lowest rockshelter (see Illustrations 200, left & 201, lower right). It contained five contexts:

• Context 11411 Dry surface peat, shell and fish bones
• Context 11412 Peat, shell and ash lenses, an occupation zone
• Context 11413 Irregular stones with a matrix of peat and degraded shells. Possible floor layer. Lithic finds

The above contexts can be taken as one occupation horizon

• Context 11414 A separate layer of limpet shells
• Context 11415 A deep layer of angular sharp stone chips in a sandy matrix at a depth of 0.6m. This can be interpreted as natural roof failure and it precluded excavation to bedrock

Finds

Lithics: Eighty-one pieces of flaked stone, mainly of chalcedonic silica but with 13 pieces of quartz were recovered from Fergus’ Shelter (see Table 71). All came from Test Pit 1.

Table 71
SFS 114	Chalcedonic silica	Quartz	Total
Totals	68	13	81
Debitage	53	4	57
Regular flakes	15	9	24

Table 71: SFS 114, Fergus’ Shelter, lithics

Glass: An olive-green sherd from Test Pit 1 Spit 2.

Metalwork: An iron rove with the surviving tip of a clenched nail came from Test Pit 1, Spit 1, and the same context also yielded a small iron bar, perhaps a tang, and five modern nails and a possible horseshoe nail.

Bone: All the bones from this site were sheep/goat. The surface peat layers contained loose teeth and juvenile bones, whilst the lower occupation layer held a jaw, a lower tooth and an unfused first phalange.

Shell: Periwinkle and dogwhelk were not separated for this site but combined these species predominated (see Table 72, below; Illustration 202, below). Much smaller quantities of limpet, mussel and oyster were present. Skip Tables & Chart.

Table 72
SFS 114: Test Pit 1	limpet	periwinkle / dogwhelk	mussel	oyster	residue
Context 1	53	553	7		271
Context 2	30	357	3	2	231
Context 3	6	11			5
Context 4	92		1		26

Table 72: SFS 114, Fergus’ Shelter, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Illus 202: SFS 114, Fergus’ Shelter, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Dates

There are two radiocarbon determinations, both securely stratified within a distinct layer of limpet midden lying on natural roof fall which precluded excavation to bedrock (see Table 73, below). They suggest activity in the late 14th-early 15th century AD.

Table 73
SFS 114 Context	Reference	Material	Date BP	Age
TP1 C11414	AA-50696	birch charcoal	575±30	AD1380–1420
TP1 C11414	AA-50697	deer bone	580±30	AD1380–1420

Table 73: SFS 114, Fergus’ Shelter, Radiocarbon dates, see Section 4

Discussion

There are no diagnostic pieces in the lithic assemblage. The glass is post-medieval and the metalwork relatively recent. Given the dates from Fergus’ Shelter, it is possible that later stoneworking took place to produce simple tools and strike-a-lights.

2.2.39 SFS 100: Fraser’s Croft, Toscaig, NGR NG 7126 3863

Type of Site: Open-air midden
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: South Applecross
Size: 8m diameter
Aspect: Open, level
Height OD: 5m
Ground Cover: Grass
Distance to Sea: 100m to south
Distance to Fresh Water: 10m to north
Threats: Eroding, chicken action
Description: A patch of broken shells exposed by chickens scratching on the east side of a low and probably plough damaged cairn which lies on an old raised beach (10m OD; see Illustration 38, right). A silage clamp has been built into the western end of this cairn. This site stands in what is now good and sheltered grazing land
Archaeology: One test pit was excavated

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) aligned north-west—south-east within the eroded shells (see Illustrations 203, left & 204, right).

• Context 10011 A thin turf layer
• Context 10012 A thin layer of whole and broken shells
• Context 10013 Cairn material into which some shells from context 10012 had fallen
• Context 10014 An OGS under the cairn; sterile
• Context 10015 Natural rounded beach gravels at the base of the section

The test pit reached a total depth of 0.5m. Mixed shells were present and a sherd of modern pottery was also found.

Finds

Pottery: Two pieces of glazed pottery, including a handle, were found in Test Pit 1, Spit 2.

Bone: Sheep, a single right upper molar.

Shells: Limpet and periwinkle predominated here though oyster was also present in the top layer (see Table 74, below; Illustration 205, below). There were also small amounts of mussel and razor shell.

Table 74
SFS 100	limpet	periwinkle	mussel	oyster	razor shell	residue
Test Pit 1, Context 2
Sample 1079	288	520	36	385	<1	1118
Sample 1082	514	982	40		<1	1377

Table 74: SFS 100, Fraser’s Croft, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Illus 205: SFS 100, Fraser’s Croft, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Discussion

Daisies on the surface seem to be a good indication of alkaline soils below and, if they represent the extent of the site, it measures 8m×7m. It seems likely that this is a recent shell deposit, possibly a midden or the result of shell dumping prior to liming the fields.

2.2.40 SFS 88: Kishorn 4, NGR NG 7974 3865

Type of Site: Rockshelter with midden
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: Loch Carron
Size: 4m deep×8m wide×2m high
Aspect: South-east in a sea cliff
Height OD: 6m
Ground Cover: Bracken
Distance to Sea: 20m to south-east, rocky boulder shore
Distance to Fresh Water: Unknown
Threats: Erosion
Description: A small, shallow, well sheltered rockshelter (see Illustration 206, right). A modern but not recently used hearth and surface shell midden with a few bones occupy most of the interior
Archaeology: Only one test pit was dug as rocks and trees preclude digging outside the shelter

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) aligned north—south within the midden in the south west of the interior (see Illustration 207, left).

• Context 8810 A thin spread of loose surface shells from a mixed shell midden overlying large tumbled rocks
• Context 8811 More shells in a peaty matrix, a total of only 0.14m at most
• Context 8812 Large rocks with voids between them

Finds

There were no finds at this site

Discussion

The lack of finds and surface nature of the deposits suggests recent activity.

2.2.41 SFS 8: Loch a Sguirr 1, NGR NG 6084 5286

Type of Site: Rockshelter with midden
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: Islands (Raasay)
Size: 1.5m deep×4m wide×1.4m high
Aspect: West
Height OD: 25m
Ground Cover: Bracken
Distance to Sea: 50m to west steep small cliffs
Distance to Fresh Water: 1000m south-west
Threats: Erosion, animal
Description: SFS 8, Loch a Sguirr 1, lies adjacent to SFS 18, Loch a Sguirr 2, and is the smaller of two rockshelters that lie above the sea cliff at the north-western edge of Raasay (see Illustration 208, top left & 209, bottom left). The entrance is situated on a rock ledge with a 2m drop to the open platform below and has a large boulder to the front. The boulder restricts access to the shelter, although it also provides some shelter from the prevailing winds. The shelters are cut into the vertical rock face and appear quite distinctive because of the coloured bands running through the rock. Midden is visible in both shelters. Loch a Sguirr lies at the heart of the area of study and has views to all directions from the hills above the site
Archaeology: Two test pits were excavated within the shelter, one deep inside and the other in the south-east sector of the shelter where shellfish, bone and lithics had previously been recovered (see Illustration 210, right). Both test pits produced archaeological material. Test pits were numbered in conjunction with those of SFS 18, Loch a Sguirr 2

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) was located at the back of the shelter where lithics had been recovered on an earlier visit (see Illustration 211, top right & 212, lower right).

• Context 101 A layer of sheep droppings with small angular stones and some weathered limpet and winkle shells and one baked mudstone flake found on surface
• Context 102 A thin layer of limpet and winkle shell with some small bones
• Context 103 A layer of dark, compact soil with some small angular stones
• Context 104 A thin layer of black, rich, compact soil, with small bones and mudstone/quartz chips, containing a bevel-ended bone tool. Layer also contains two lenses of creamy decayed shell
• Context 105 A discontinuous layer of gritty/sandy soil with small stones
• Context 106 A lens of organic nature, containing well preserved shell and bone and some charcoal. Layer fragmented into chunks on trowelling
• Context 107 An organic-rich layer containing shells and bone. A fine, dark, sandy soil containing charcoal lumps, some stones and flint/baked mudstone chips
• Context 108 An organic-rich, crumbly layer of shell and limpet and bone. Matrix is fine, dark and loose sandy soil containing a small chip of flint/baked mudstone
• Context 109 A layer of shattered rock and sandy soil. Small angular stones and voids in layer. Layer cut by fallen blocks (context 110)
• Context 110 Large angular blocks, lying on a sterile layer of shattered stone, cutting through Context 109

Test Pit 3: (1m×0.5m) was located towards the front, in the south-east sector of the shelter (see Illustration 213, left).

• Context 201 A surface deposit of sheep droppings, shell, bone and fragmented stone
• Context 202 A dense layer of medium coarse gritty sand with loose and fragmented rock with patches of shell (Context 304), underlying fallen stones
• Context 203 A layer of angular fractured fallen rock forming a solid barrier across the trench at a depth of 0.2m
• Context 204 Pockets of shell rich deposits, crushed limpet and whelk, containing small bones, under and around larger stones within Context 302

Finds

Lithics: The test pitting at SFS 8, Loch a Sguirr 1, resulted in the recovery of 149 lithics (see Table 75, below). The knappers here worked both quartz and baked mudstone. Some chalcedonic silica was used at this site, but there is no Rùm bloodstone. There are some pieces of fine quartz, including six regular blades, but the quartz is of such variable quality that much of it has flaked into small chunky pieces, hence the general over-representation of debitage. There are no retouched artefacts from this assemblage.

Table 75
SFS 8	Baked mudstone	Chalcedonic silica	Quartz	Total
Total	60	27	62	149
Debitage	35	15	48	98
Regular flakes	24	12	8	44
Blades	1		6	7

Table 75: SFS 8, Loch a Sguirr 1, lithics

Bone tools: Three bone tools were found here, all bevel-ended tools. Two pieces came from Test Pit 1, Spit 2 and a third piece came from Test Pit 3, Spit 2. One piece (BT40) was broken, the other two (BT1 and BT41) were complete. Both these pieces had proximal ends that tapered into a point. BT1 (see Illustrations 214, left & 215, right) was examined and photographed in an SEM microscope and the results are discussed below in Section 3.4.

Pottery: A single sherd of undiagnostic pottery was found in Spit 1 of Test Pit 1.

Bone: A single cattle metacarpal and a neonatal sheep/goat femur and navicular cuboid were the only remains of food species. Frog and amphibia bones were also identified. In addition a quantity of fish bone was recovered. This included saithe or pollack and ballan wrasse probably as a result of inshore fishing.

Shell: Periwinkle and dogwhelk dominate (see Illustration 216, below), followed by limpet (Table 76).

Table 76
Loch A Sguirr: SFS 8	limpet	periwinkle / dogwhelk	residue
Test Pit 1
Spit 2	17	67	77
Spit 3	23	50	99
Spit 4	130	345	1247
Spit 5	62	246	1740
Spit 6	27	67	520
Test Pit 3
Spit 1	94	154
Spit 2	22	130	179
Spit 3	26	181	424

Table 76: SFS 8, Loch a Sguirr, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Illus 216: SFS 8, Loch a Sguirr, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Dates

There are three radiocarbon determinations from SFS 8, Loch a Sguirr 1, all from Test Pit 1 (see Table 77, below). They confirm activity in the Mesolithic, in the 7th millennium BC, though the presence of a more recent determination (late century BC–first century AD) from charcoal within a lower spit suggests that there may have been some disturbance to the layers.

Table 77
SFS 8 Context	Reference	Material	Date BP	Age
TP 1 spit 6	OxA-9254	Birch charcoal	2055±39	170BC–AD50
TP 1 spit 2	OxA-9255	Bevel tool of deer bone	7245±55	6230–6000BC
TP 1 spit 3	OxA-9305	Birch charcoal	7620±75	6640–6250BC

Table 77: SFS 8, Loch a Sguirr 1, radiocarbon dates, see Section 4

Discussion

Only a small amount of archaeological material was recovered from SFS 8, Loch a Sguirr 1, but such as it is it indicates that the rockshelter was occupied in the Mesolithic. The lithic assemblage is generally undiagnostic but does include some regular pieces (32%). The six blades together with the bevel-ended bone tools all suggest Mesolithic activity and this is supported by the radiocarbon determinations, two of which date to the 7th millennium BC.

The third radiocarbon determination from SFS 8 is interesting in view of the later material (pottery) from SFS 18. It indicates activity around or later than the mid second century BC to the mid first century AD and the two may well be related.

Erosion appears to have removed many of the archaeological deposits here. Neither the talus slope nor the platform in front of the shelters contained any archaeological material.

2.2.42 SFS 18: Loch a Sguirr 2, NGR NG 6084 5286

Type of Site: Rockshelter with midden
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: Islands (Raasay)
Size: 4m deep×8m wide×2m high
Aspect: West
Height OD: 25m
Ground Cover: Bracken
Distance to Sea: 50m to west steep small cliffs
Distance to Fresh Water: 1000m south-west
Threats: Erosion, animal
Description: SFS 18 is a substantial rockshelter with a large platform above the sea cliff at the north-western edge of Raasay (see Illustration 217, left). The shelter is cut into the vertical rock face, which has distinctive coloured bands running through it. Inside the shelter, the floor is level, with some shell visible towards the back of the cave. The entrance to the shelter has a lip of large boulders, in front of which is a talus covered with nettles
Archaeology: Eight test pits were excavated within the shelter (see Illustration 218, right), and on the platform in front. All test pits were archaeologically sterile except those described below. Test pits were numbered in conjunction with those of SFS 8, Loch a Sguirr 1

Test Pit 9: (1m×0.5m) outside the rockshelter (see Illustrations 219, left & 220, right).

• Context 901 Surface vegetation with many fleshy roots and sheep droppings. A few angular cobbles in section, thickest below shelter, decreasing towards the west
• Context 902 A homogenous, peaty lens with many roots and flecks of mica occurring towards the rockshelter
• Context 903 A homogenous grey-brown peaty layer with roots and mica fragments, thickest towards the rockshelter
• Context 904 A peaty matrix containing many stone chips and cobbles. Charcoal and burnt peat occur in small quantities
• Context 905 Similar to context 904 but with smaller stones, gravel flakes and some large cobbles, all laid flat. Substantial amounts of charcoal and some pottery
• Context 906 Angular cobbles, small amounts of charcoal and two flint flakes
• Context 907 Natural cliff-fall

Test Pit 10: (1m×0.5m) inside the rockshelter (see Illustration 221, left).

• Context 1001 A shallow surface layer of sheep droppings with occasional shells and angular stone
• Context 1002 An organic layer of mixed small angular stones with fragments of shell
• Context 1003 Small pockets of crushed fish bone in a sandy matrix
• Context 1004 A layer of degraded fallen rock, angular stones and coarse gritty sand
• Context 1005 A layer of fallen rock

Finds

Lithics: Five flaked lithics were found, one in Test Pit 4, and four in Test Pit 9 (see Table 78, below). All are of quartz.

Table 78
SFS 18	Quartz
Total	5
Debitage	2
Regular flakes	3

Table 78: SFS 18 Loch a Sguirr 2, lithics

Pottery: There were seven sherds and fragments of pottery, all from Test Pit 9. All are of a coarse ware with no distinguishing characteristics. They do not suggest any specific date.

Bone: Test Pit 10 yielded a quantity of what appears to be otter spraint.

Shell: there was very little shell, mainly limpet with periwinkle and dogwhelk (see Table 79, below).

Table 79
Loch A Sguirr: SFS 18	limpet	periwinkle / dogwhelk	residue
Test Pit 2
Spit 1	9	6	36
Spit 2	12	6	48
Test Pit 10
Spit 1			32
Spit 2	2

Table 79: SFS 18, Loch a Sguirr 2, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Discussion

SFS 18 contains only a very small area of shell midden towards the back. The remainder of the cave has shallow level deposits and it appears that the rockshelter has been repeatedly scoured out by water so that the midden material is all that survives of former occupation. The pottery and lithics are undiagnostic, but the presence of a radiocarbon determination indicating activity at some time between mid 2nd century BC to the mid 1st century AD in the adjacent smaller rockshelter (SFS 8) may provide a rough indication of activity in the two shelters. The complete lack of early prehistoric material in this shelter is interesting, given that it was found in SFS 8, but it may well have been lost through erosion.

2.2.43 SFS 106: Loch Toscaig 3, NGR NG 7116 3769

Type of Site: Rockshelter
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: South Applecross
Size: 12m deep×6m wide×1.5m high
Aspect: West at foot of old sea cliff
Height OD: 1–3m
Ground Cover: Rowan tree, ferns, bracken
Distance to Sea: 5m to west. rocky coast
Distance to Fresh Water: 300m to north
Threats: Sea ingress
Description: A low lying rockshelter at the foot of an old sea cliff, partly washed out
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Pottery: A small abraded fragment of well fired fine sandy clay.

Discussion

There was little evidence of human activity here, though it is possible that material has been washed out by the sea. The isolated find of pottery suggests that the rockshelter has not gone unnoticed in the past.

2.2.44 SFS 116: Mains of Applecross, NGR NG 7140 4455

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: Mid Applecross
Size: N/A
Aspect: North-west
Height OD: 30m
Ground Cover: Grass
Distance to Sea: 60m north-west
Distance to Fresh Water: On site
Threats: Stable
Description: A lithic scatter located in a sharply defined raised beach with two deeply cut burns running south-east to north-west, down to the sea (see Illustration 222, left)
Archaeology: Shovel pitting. Three transects of seven shovel pits were laid out to test the areas around the burns for lithic scatters (see Illustration 223, right). Shovel pit depth was 200mm through a worm sorted plough soil to a mixed pebble and sandy silt beach deposit

Finds

Lithics: There were ten finds from the shovel pits here; seven are of chalcedonic silica and the rest of quartz. Six are regular flakes and four are debitage.

Discussion

The lithics suggest prehistoric activity. They were not abundant, but further work might well produce more evidence.

2.2.45 SFS 171: Meall Na h’Airde 2, NGR NG 8269 3629

Type of Site: Cave with midden
SFS Record: 2002
Survey Area: Loch Carron
Size: 8m deep×5m wide×5m high
Aspect: South-west in foot of sea cliff
Height OD: 2m
Ground Cover: boulders
Distance to Sea: 5m to south-west, open rocky coast
Distance to Fresh Water: Unknown
Threats: Sea ingress
Description: This is a south-west-facing sea cave lying at the foot of old sea cliffs (see Illustration 224, left). A small area of midden lies at the rear of the cave (see Illustration 225, right), but it is possible that this may be all that remains of a larger midden that has been washed out. Three hearth sites lie inside the cave
Archaeology: A test pit was dug into the midden and contained four contexts (see Illustration 226, lower right). As the site is remote and difficult to access, samples were dry sieved on site. A 50% sample of excavated material was sieved using a 3mm sieve

• Context 1 Loose shell and dry black soil containing lithics, bone fragments and charcoal
• Context 2 Loose stones with Context 1 running through voids
• Context 3 Small pebbles and marine gravels
• Context 4 Bedrock

Finds

Lithics: There were 27 lithic finds: 23 of chalcedonic silica and four of quartz. Seven pieces are debitage, 18 are regular flakes, and there is one blade and one edge-retouched piece.

Pottery: Test Pit 1, Context 2. One body sherd, slightly abraded. The fabric is sandy clay which has fired hard and is grey with a red exterior margin. The exterior is sooted and the interior is sooted with a residue. Th 6mm; Wt 14g.

Bone: A total of 100 bones weighing 28.91g was recovered (see Tables 80, 81, 82 & 83, all below). This included mammal, fish and one bird bone from two contexts, 001 and 002, which were combined for study. From a NISP of 28 only three diagnostic elements, all of field vole, were recorded. Of the fish bones (NISP of 71), 32 were identifiable to species; these included cod, saithe, haddock, conger eel and species from the cod and plaice families. Skip Tables.

Table 80
SFS 171	York system texture Description	mammal	bird	fish
Total		3	0	19
Excellent	Majority of surface fresh or even slightly glossy; very localised flaky or powdery patches	2
Good	Lacks fresh appearance but solid; very localised flaky or powdery patches	1		2
Fair	Surface solid in some places, but flaky or powdery on up to 49% of specimen			16
Poor	Surface flaky or powdery over 50% of specimen			1

Table 80: SFS 171, Meall na h’Airde 2, bone, texture of QC1 elements

---

Table 81
Taxon	Total
Mammal
Field vole	3
Total QC1	3
Total QC0	25
Total mammal	28
Total bird (QC0)	1
Fish
Cod	1
Saithe	2
Haddock	17
Cod family	8
Conger eel	1
Plaice family	2
Total QC1 and QC2	32
Total QC0 and QC4	39
Total fish	71
Total NISP	100

Table 81: SFS 171, Meall na h’Airde 2, bone, number of identified specimens (NISP)

---

Table 82
Taxon	Element	Total
Mammal
Field vole	mandible	2
	skull	1
Total QC1		3
Fish
Cod
vertebrae	uv	1
Saithe	hyomandibular	1
	premaxilla	1
Haddock	articular	1
	cleithrum	1
	dentary	1
	maxilla	1
	opercular	5
	posttemporal	1
	quadrate	1
vertebrae:	av1	1
	cv1	2
	cv2	3
Cod family	cleithrum	2
	hyomandibular	1
	maxilla	1
	opercular	2
vertebrae:	cv2	1
	v	1
Conger eel
vertebrae:	av	1
Plaice family
vertebrae:	av	1
	cv	1
Unidentified
vertebrae	v	1
Total QC1		19
Total QC2		13

Table 82: SFS 171, Meall na h’Airde 2, mammal and fish QC1 and QC2 element representation

---

Table 83
SFS 171 Taxon	Size category	Total
Total		19
Saithe	extra large	1
	large	1
Haddock	large	1
	medium	10
Cod family	medium	6

Table 83: SFS 171, Meall na h’Airde 2, size of QC1 elements by species
(see Appendix 27 for definitions of the York System size categories)

Marine molluscs: The main species in this midden were limpets, followed by dogwhelks and then periwinkle (see Tables 84 & 85, below; see Illustrations 227 & 228, both below). There were also a small number of oysters and topshells and there were some mussels. The limpets were very fragmented (less than 20% are whole; see Illustration 229, below) and about 50% of the dogwhelks were broken, but the periwinkles in general tended to be whole (70% and above). The size ratios of the limpets suggest that they were collected from the middle to lower shore zones. The dogwhelks were fairly elongate with small apertures and this is common on more sheltered shores. An elongate form also provides a defence against crabs which are more abundant on these shores. Skip Tables & Charts.

Table 84
SFS 171 Test Pit 1	limpet	periwinkle	dogwhelk	mussel	oyster	topshell
Context 1
Spit 1	346	59
Spit 2	1199	561	2011		41	2
Context 2	64	151	12	6	42

Table 84: SFS 171, Meall na h’Airde 2, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context.

---

Illus 227: SFS 171, Meall na h’Airde 2, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

---

Table 85
SFS 171	limpet	periwinkle	dogwhelk	oyster	topshell
Test Pit 1
Spit 1	150	9
Spit 2	765	123	434		3
Test Pit 2	27	33	3	2

Table 85: SFS 171, Meall na h’Airde 2, MNI counts for marine molluscs.

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Illus 228: SFS 171, Meall na h’Airde 2, marine molluscs, MNI for individual species by context

---

Illus 229: SFS 171, Meall na h’Airde 2, fragmentation of limpets, periwinkles and dogwhelks;
though calculations were not made for every context because the sample sizes were too small

Charcoal: Charcoal from two contexts was considered for analysis (see Table 26, in Section 2.2.4, above). Though small in quantity, this is likely to have been derived from hearth deposits. It is possible that the occupants of Meall na h’Airde 2 were able to draw on a diverse vegetation for their fuel needs including both mixed woodland and open heathland with some Scots pine.

Discussion

The lithics suggest activity in prehistory and the pottery may tentatively be assigned to the Iron Age. The lack of identifiable mammal bone, other than the field vole cranial elements, together with the small fish bone assemblage, suggests that the site was only used for limited fishing and shell-fish collection. The large sizes of fish caught would be consistent with either a prehistoric or a historic date. The large fish sizes of the gadid species suggest that deep-water fishing was used.

2.2.46 SFS 96: Meallabhan, NGR NG 6848 4878

Type of Site: Eroding dune with occupation material
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: Mid Applecross
Size: Open
Aspect: West over sand dune
Height OD: 3m
Ground Cover: boulders
Distance to Sea: 10m to west, open sandy bay
Distance to Fresh Water: 20m to north
Threats: Erosion, human impact
Description: This site is eroding out of the dunes c50m to the east and slightly above SFS 71 (see Illustration 48, right). A scatter of shells, bones, pot-boilers, metalwork and occasional lithics denote an eroding lens of occupational material from a presumably buried site below the cliffs.
Archaeology

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) aligned north-west—south-east within the eroding occupational layer.

• Context 9611 Surface midden
• Context 9612 A deep and sterile light yellow sand, homogeneous and without finds
• Context 9613 An old ground surface (OGS) consisting of a mid brown silty sand
• Context 9614 A sterile clayey mustard-brown medium gravel

A knoll of bedrock restricted access to the lower levels of this trench (see Illustrations 230, left & 231, right).

Finds

Lithics: 24 lithics were recovered from the site at Meallabhan and with the exception of one piece of debitage from Test Pit 1, all came from the surface. Most are of chalcedonic silica, but there are also two pieces of baked mudstone and one piece of quartz. 50% of the assemblage is debitage, but there are seven regular flakes and four retouched pieces. There are no conventional modified tools, and all of the modified pieces have considerable edge damage, perhaps from use as strike-a-lights.

Coarse Stone: There is one small bevel-ended tool of coarse stone, similar to a limpet scoop.

Pottery: An assemblage of 92 sherds and fragments of coarse pottery was recovered from Meallabhan. This comprised a mix of body sherds, neck and rim pieces. The fabric was mainly sandy clay but some was fine and there was a mix of firing from soft to well fired pieces.

Metalwork: A stick pin of copper-alloy with ring-and-dot decoration on the head which may once have been inlaid (see Illustrations 232, top left & 233, bottom left). In addition there were fragments of a copper vessel with an iron handle rivet (see Illustration 234, right). There were several fragments of iron objects: a thin strip or bar with a punched hole, a possible knife fragment, a circular button, four nail fragments and two undiagnostic flakes. A small amount of unclassified ironworking slag was also recovered. All of this material was picked up from the surface of the site.

Bone: Three red deer teeth, a juvenile cow calcaneum, three sheep/goat teeth, an unfused distal humerus epiphyses and metapodia, as well as a rabbit vertebra were present. All of the bone was found on the surface, or in the surface midden.

Shell: A range of shell was recovered from this site, all from context 1: limpet (228g); clam (44g); periwinkle (18g); mussel (1g); tellin (1g); cockle (1g); minute species (2g); terrestrial molluscs (1g); and residue (148g) (mainly made up of limpet, cockle, clam and periwinkle).

Discussion

Meallabhan is an interesting site with a long history of activity, and considerable evidence of metal and metalworking. The lithics are not culturally diagnostic and it is possible that the later use of stone tools is represented. Some of the pottery may be medieval in date (Julie Franklin, pers comm), see for example, the form of a vessel of the Scottish White Gritty ware, 13th–14th century, from Kirkwall (MacAskill 1982, reproduced in McCarthy & Brooks 1988, 210, illus 114, no 525).

Much of the metal is likely to be post-medieval in date, particularly the iron work, though some pieces may be earlier. The stick pin is a Hiberno-Norse pin of ‘undifferentiated’ type (O’Rahilly 1998:27–8, Class 7), where the head is a continuous part of the shaft; the decoration is of her type A. There are close parallels from Garry Lochdrach, North Uist (Beveridge & Callander 1932:41; NMS GT 489) and from Norse levels at Jarlshof, Shetland, the latter being nearly identical (Curle 1936:263–4, illus 11.6; NMS HSA 853). Examples from Dublin date from cAD1100–1225 (Curle 1936, 28, 33). The vessel fragment comes from a copper-alloy vessel, probably a small bowl or dish with iron suspension handles. The alloy composition (with its zinc content) indicates a Roman or later date, and such vessels are known from the Early Historic and medieval periods (for example Hunter 1994, 57–62).

2.2.47 SFS 183: Nead An Eoin, Plockton, NGR NG 7890 3310

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 2002
Survey Area: Loch Carron
Size: Unknown
Aspect: Open
Height OD: 10m
Ground Cover: Grass
Distance to Sea: 30m
Distance to Fresh Water: 100m to north
Threats: Agriculture, ploughing
Description: This is a small, sheltered, raised beach with a westward aspect (see Illustration 235, left). It is close to the site of Cnoc na Celpeirein (SFS 147) from which 37 lithics were collected earlier in the survey
Archaeology: A single transect of 35 shovel pits was laid around the bay, just behind the crest of the beach (see Illustration 236, right). The first 22 pits were at 5m intervals while the remaining 13 pits were at 10m intervals. The sampled area had been heavily cultivated, probably in recent times so that the plough soil was deep (190–380mm) and finds were limited

Finds

Lithics: Hits were recorded in two distinct groups: Pits 2, 5 and 12 close to SFS 147; and Pits 21, 22 and 24 located 115m to its north-east. In all there were 11 finds: Five of bloodstone, three of chalcedonic silica and three of quartz. Seven pieces were debitage (including all but one of the bloodstone), and there were four regular flakes. Two regular flakes and three pieces of debitage were located in the first group and two regular flakes and four pieces of debitage in the second.

Discussion

The finds suggest low level prehistoric activity but no precise date.

2.2.48 SFS 59: Ob Chuaig, NGR NG 7066 5972

Type of Site: Cave
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: North Applecross
Size: 10m deep×10m wide×4m high
Aspect: West sloping to shore
Height OD: 2–3m
Ground Cover: Grass and nettles
Distance to Sea: 100m to north
Distance to Fresh Water: Unknown
Threats: Sheep (used as sheep shelter)
Description. A large and airy cave, inaccessible except at low tide and only a couple of meters above high water mark (see Illustration 237, right). This cave is presently used as an occasional sheep shelter and a few limpets are spread around on the surface
Archaeology: One test pit was excavated

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) this trench was aligned north—south in the southern part of the cave (see Illustration 238, left).

• Context 5911 Very hard sheep droppings
• Context 5912 Natural lenses of sand and a type of flowstone
• Context 5913 Shells and a few bones within a granular matrix of flowstone type material. This coats the walls of the cave and flakes off onto the floor
• Context 5914 A very hard natural iron and manganese concretion
• Context 5915 Bedrock, partially uncovered

Finds

There were no artefacts

Bone: A single shrew jaw.

Shell: There was very little shell from this site: limpet (148g), periwinkle (29g) and residue (9g).

Discussion

The deposits suggest that occupation at this site is unlikely, the shells and bones appear to be natural. There was no charcoal or signs of a hearth: this site is remote and easily bypassed by coastal travellers.

2.2.49 SFS 50: Pabay 1, NGR NG 6771 2657

Type of Site: Open-air midden and lithic scatter
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: Islands (Pabay)
Size: 100mm thick×16m long, 350mm below present surface
Aspect: South-east level
Height OD: 8m
Ground Cover: Dense bracken and bushes
Distance to Sea: 10m to south-east
Distance to Fresh Water: 400m to west
Threats: Erosion, rabbit burrows
Description: A lithic scatter eroding out of a cliff edge and lying adjacent to a large shell midden on the north-facing coast of the small island of Pabay (see Illustration 239, right). Lithics and fire-cracked stone lay in and close to a black occupation layer
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Lithics: There were 14 lithic finds from the shell midden at Pabay 1. Interestingly, there is no baked mudstone, though there was a regular flake of Rùm bloodstone, together with four pieces of quartz and nine of chalcedonic silica. Half of the assemblage is debitage, and there are six regular flakes as well as a rough edge retouched piece of chalcedonic silica.

Discussion

The lithics, and lack of more recent material, suggest that the site is prehistoric.

2.2.50 SFS 94: Port Earlish, NGR NG 5206 6260

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site.
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: Trotternish
Size: Unknown
Aspect: North-east
Height OD: 50m
Ground Cover: Dense bracken and bushes
Distance to Sea: 10m to south-east, rock and shingle
Distance to Fresh Water: 5m to north-east
Threats: Erosion (at side of burn), ploughing and enclosed grazing
Description: A lithic scatter was found eroding out of the side of a burn (see Illustration 240, right)
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Lithics: There were six lithic finds, all of chalcedonic silica with the exception of one piece of baked mudstone. Most of the assemblage is debitage but there is one regular flake and a single blade.

Discussion

The lithics indicate activity in prehistory, but it is not possible to date a small assemblage like this in more detail.

2.2.51 SFS 141: R1/25, NGR NG 5577 4675

Type of Site: Rockshelter with midden
SFS Record: 2001
Survey Area: Islands (Raasay)
Size: 15m deep×4m wide×3m high
Aspect: South
Height OD: 8–10m
Ground Cover: Grass
Distance to Sea: 25m to south, rocky
Distance to Fresh Water: 150m to south
Threats: Stable, possible threat from animals
Description: A rockshelter with surface limpet and winkle midden (see Illustrations 241, left & 242, right)
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Lithics: There were two regular flakes of chalcedonic silica from the surface at this site.

Shell: Limpet and periwinkle were recorded.

Discussion

The lithics and midden indicate past human activity, though it is not possible to date it.

2.2.52 SFS 9: Redpoint, NGR NG 7275 6855

Type of Site: Eroding dune with lithic scatter
SFS Record: Gray 1960
Survey Area: Torridan
Size: Unknown
Aspect: North-west, north-east, south
Height OD: 20–40m
Ground Cover: Clumps of heather, juniper, grass, moss, sand
Distance to Sea: 50–60m to north, open sandy beach
Distance to Fresh Water: 30–100m to north
Threats: Eroding sand dunes, wind, grazing, human impact
Description: Redpoint is a site that has long been known to archaeologists interested in the early prehistory of the western Highlands (Gray 1960). It comprises an area of unstable dunes with lithic material visible in the blowouts (see Illustrations 243, below left; 244, below middle & 245, right). In addition there are two nearby cave sites: SFS 115, Redpoint Headland 1; and SFS 176, Redpoint Headland 2, both sites have visible midden, though no lithics were found
Archaeology: Two test pits were dug in the main dune blow out, but there was no depth to the archaeological deposits (Illustration 246, below right)

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) aligned north-east—south-west, below the steep eroding scarp (Illustration 247, lower right).

• Context 911 Light brown iron mottled medium sand
• Context 912 Mid-brown medium sand with iron staining and vertical yellowish mottling
• Context 913 Orange-grey wet sand, clay and gravel
• Context 914 Bright orange brown coarse sand and gravel below thick iron pan

This test pit produced a natural sand stratigraphy over a layer of glacial gravels and reached a depth of 0.65m. There was no archaeological content except surface finds.

Test Pit 2: (1m×0.5m) aligned east—west.

• Context 921 Laminated medium sands, light grey brown with yellowish streaks
• Context 922 Grey natural sand and gravel. Iron stained and mottled

Interpretation: This second test pit also showed a natural sand stratigraphy overlying glacially derived gravels up to a depth of 0.78m. No archaeological content except surface finds.

Finds

Lithics: Redpoint is actively eroding and has been frequently visited by Steven Birch of the SFS team. Many bags of flaked lithics have been collected. A total of 847 lithics has been catalogued from this collection (see Table 86, below), but as the dune continues to erode every year, further material is collected at each visit and it was not possible to catalogue all of the material collected in the period to 2004 when fieldwork stopped. In the 1980s, however, 1356 lithics from Redpoint held in the National Museums of Scotland collection were catalogued by Ann Clarke (Clarke & Griffiths 1990) and their figures have been added to the table in brackets.

Table 86
SFS 9 Redpoint	Baked Mudstone	Bloodstone	Chalcedonic silica	Chert	Quartz	Total (grand total)
Totals	30 (197)	34 (37)	28 (35)	4	751 (1087)	847 (2203)
Overall total	227	71	63	4	1828	2203
Core	(2)				1bip (14)	1 (17)
Debitage	11 (192)	23 (36)	21 (34)		592 (1055)	647 (1964)
Blades	(1)		1		13 (14)	14 (29)
Regular Flakes	19	11	2	4	145	181 (181)
Crescent			1			1 (1)
Fine point			2			2 (2)
Obliquely blunted			1			1 (1)
Retouched	(2)	(1)	(1)		(4)	(8)

Table 86: lithic assemblage from SFS 9, Redpoint
(x) assemblage recorded by Ann Clarke; (italics) – grand total

Discussion

Overall, the lithic assemblage from Redpoint indicates activity in prehistory, including the Mesolithic. Interestingly, the range of raw materials used is well in line with other Mesolithic sites recorded by SFS in the Inner Sound and sea loch areas and this may add weight to putative arguments for a ‘sphere of influence’ perhaps even a territory that stretches as far as Staffin Bay in the north and the island of Rùm in the south. The lack of organic remains on this site is noteworthy.

2.2.53 SFS 58: Rubha Chuaig, NGR NG 6992 5839

Type of Site: Rockshelter with midden
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: North Applecross
Size: 10m deep×2.5m wide×2m high
Aspect: South-west slope down to sea
Height OD: 4m
Ground Cover: Nettles and bracken
Distance to Sea: 25m to south-west rocky open bay
Distance to Fresh Water: 500m to south
Threats: Stable
Description : This site is situated at the head of Chuaig Bay (see Illustration 46, top left & 248, mid left). A large accumulation of talus slopes steeply to the shoreline. Vestigial traces of midden were identified to the rear of the shelter which is approximately 10m long with an oblique recess further back that is about 3m wide
Archaeology: Two test pits were excavated (see Illustration 249, lower left & 250, top right)

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.50m) was positioned over a flat area in the centre of the shelter where limpet shells and two sherds of pottery were visible (see Illustration 251, mid right). Two contexts were identified:

• Context 1001 Upper midden comprising loose friable soil with periwinkle and limpet present to a depth of 0.10m
• Context 1002 Lower midden which attained a maximum depth of 0.30m

Towards the base of the midden angular boulders were intermixed with well-preserved limpet shell and animal bone.

Test Pit 2: (initially 1m×0.5m eventually extended by 0.5m to avoid a large boulder that impeded access below a depth of 0.15m) was located at the eastern end of the shelter where limpet shells were exposed (see Illustration 252, right).

• Context 2001 The surface layer of humic silt with bracken roots
• Context 2002 A midden which attained a maximum depth of 0.16m
• Context 2003 The basal layer of the midden which contained an assortment of shell and animal bone
• Context 2004/2005 Natural sandstone

Finds

Lithics: There were only two lithic finds, one from each test pit. There was a piece of debitage of chalcedonic silica, and a fragment of sandstone with marked use-wear, suggesting that it had been used as an awl.

Bone tools: Three bone tools were found here, all in Test Pit 1. A long piece of bone with a rounded end (BT138) was found in Spit 1, a long piece of bone with a stubbed end (BT137) was found in Spit 4 and a fine point (BT136) was found in Spit 18 (see Illustration 89, above).

Pottery: There were seven sherds of coarse pottery, five of which, all from Test Pit 1, came from one vessel.

Metalwork: There were two nail fragments and an undiagnostic piece of iron.

Bone: A charred otter second toe was recovered from the midden; the modification suggests that it may be anthropogenic in origin.

Shell: Limpet, periwinkle and mussel occurred in Test Pit 1 with limpet predominating, and small numbers of other species in some contexts (see Table 87, below; Illustration 253, below). There appears to be some difference in midden composition between contexts 10 and 13. Test Pit 2 is very similar with limpet predominating, some periwinkle, mussel and very small quantities of dogwhelk, flat periwinkle and razor shell.

Table 87
SFS 58 Rubha Chuaig	limpet	periwinkle	mussel	oyster	razor shell	topshell	residue
Test Pit 1
Spit 4	59	61	2				385
Spit 6	113	59	15				309
Spit 8	106	30	3				139
Spit 10	80	47	6				201
Spit 13	223	7	33			1	202
Spit 14	170	8		3			181
Spit 16	66		3				95
Spit 18	183	4					130
Test Pit 2
Spit 2	300	85	5				485
C2005	106	3	66		<1		71

Table 87: SFS 58, Rubha Chuaig, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

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Illus 253: SFS 58, Rubha Chuaig, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Discussion

The finds from this site are sparse and indicate a low level of human activity. The coarse pottery and metalwork suggest that this took place in historic times.

2.2.54 SFS 57: Rubha A Ghair, NGR NG 7230 6121

Type of Site: Rockshelter with midden
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: North Applecross
Size: 10m deep×5m wide×2m high
Aspect: North-east slope to sea
Height OD: 5–6m
Ground Cover: Grass, nettles and bracken
Distance to Sea: 20m to north-east, rocky
Distance to Fresh Water: Unknown
Threats: Stable
Description: This low, damp rock-shelter faces roughly north across Loch Torridon towards Craig and Redpoint (see Illustration 254, left). It lies in the eastern end of an old sea cliff that trails westwards down to the water. There is a very small deposit of midden at the rear of the cave, but no walls or other occupation traces are apparent
Archaeology: Only one test pit was excavated because the midden is relatively inaccessible (see Illustration 255, upper right)

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) aligned north—south in the nearest accessible point to the midden (see Illustration 256, right).

• Context 5711 Grass and thin topsoil
• Context 5712 A firmer black peat with many charcoal fragments
• Context 5713 Firmly packed angular stones in a gritty sand matrix, almost certainly natural

Lithics were found in both the upper layers (contexts 5711 & 5712) with sandstone lumps and flakes from the roof. This trench was only 0.3m deep in total.

Finds

Lithics: There were 13 pieces from Rubha a Ghair, and interestingly no baked mudstone. There are six pieces of quartz and six of chalcedonic silica, and a debitage flake of Rùm bloodstone. Seven pieces are debitage, and the rest are regular flakes.

Coarse Stone: The finds also included a single bevelled pebble (ST15), a type of tool which has been linked with Mesolithic sites elsewhere.

Iron: The tip fragment of a knife with remains of an organic scabbard (?leather) was recovered from Test Pit 1. It has a convex curving back with a concave upturned tip. The blade has been repeatedly re-sharpened to give it a concave profile (see Illustration 257, right).

Discussion

The lithics are undiagnostic, the coarse stone tool may be Mesolithic, and the knife is of Early Historic or medieval date.

2.2.55 SFS 44: Rubha’an Droma Bhain, Scalpay, NGR NG 6218 2742

Type of Site: Findspot
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: Islands (Scalpay)
Size: Unknown
Aspect: South, steep front edge of raised beach
Height OD: 6–8m
Ground Cover: Grass
Distance to Sea: 50m to south-west—south-east, boulders
Distance to Fresh Water: 500m to east
Threats: Edge of raised beach eroding and collapsing, animal and wind erosion
Description: Lithics were found eroding out of the steep front edge of a raised beach
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Lithics: There were three lithic finds, all from the surface. They comprise two regular flakes of chalcedonic silica and a piece of baked mudstone debitage.

Discussion

The finds suggest human activity, probably in prehistory, though they are few in number and undiagnostic.

2.2.56 SFS 11: Sand 3, NGR NG 6840 4878

Type of Site: Findspot in eroding dune
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: Mid Applecross
Size: 6m deep×6m wide×2m high
Aspect: Open, slope to sea
Height OD: 85m
Ground Cover: Nettles, bracken, heather
Distance to Sea: 500m to south-west open, rocky
Distance to Fresh Water: 10m to north-west
Threats: Grazing, eroding
Description: Open sand dune
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Metal: A strap buckle of copper-alloy made by winding and hammering together a strip of sheet metal. The two ends have been joined at the pivot bar by ‘key holing’ one end into an aperture in the other and it is at this point that the buckle has broken. The pivot bar has iron staining from the pin. Decorated with v-shaped indentations at 90 intervals, similar decoration occurs on other brooches and buckles from Scotland (see Illustration 258, right).

Discussion

The strap buckle is dated to the late medieval period.

2.2.57 SFS 71: Sand 5, NGR NG 6833 4873

Type of Site: Rockshelter
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: Mid Applecross
Size: 10m wide×5m deep×2.5m high
Aspect: North-west slope down to sandy beach
Height OD: 6–7m
Ground Cover: Grass and bracken
Distance to Sea: 15m to north-west, sandy beach
Distance to Fresh Water: 200m to north
Threats: Stable, human impact
Description: This is a moderately-sized rockshelter alongside the beach at Sand and close to the dune sites (SFS 96, Meallabhan and SFS 11, Sand 3; see Illustration 259, right). It has good views of the main Sand site as well as of Raasay, but is exposed to the north and north-west. The site is currently used for barbecues and beach activities and no archaeological remains are visible
Archaeology: One test pit was excavated

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) aligned north-east—south-west in the central part of the interior of the rockshelter.

• Context 7111 Surface vegetation of grass and herbs giving way to layer of modern fairly clean sand containing bottle glass
• Context 7112 A series of thin occupation lenses containing degraded charcoal, pot-boilers and greasy lenses
• Context 7113 A thick layer of intense occupation remains, a black, greasy silty sand with lots of pot-boilers and charcoal in poor condition. In places this merged with the overlying layer, Context 7112
• Context 7114 Fractured bedrock, at a depth of 0.8m

No bone or pottery was recovered. Both 7112 and 7113 were sampled.

Finds

Lithics: A chunk of debitage of chalcedonic silica was recovered from Test Pit 1 at this site.

Discussion

Finds from this site are almost non-existent. Although it has obviously been used in the past, transient and possibly relatively recent activity would seem to be represented, perhaps not unlike the barbecues that take place here today.

2.2.58 FS 012: SCALPAY 2, NGR NG 5853 2974

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site (see Illustration 260, left)
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: Islands (Scalpay)
Size: Unknown
Aspect: South-west in steep front edge of raised beach
Height OD: 12m
Ground Cover: Grass, bracken
Distance to Sea: 100m to south-west, reef and shingle
Distance to Fresh Water: 10m to north-west
Threats: Animal and water, eroding
Description: A surface scatter collected from washed-out animal track in area of lazy beds (see Illustration 261, right)
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Lithics: There were 56 flaked lithics from Scalpay 2 (see Tables 88 & 89 in Section 2.2.65, below), over half were of quartz and quartzite, and the rest were of chalcedonic silica and Rùm bloodstone. Thirty nine pieces were debitage flakes and the rest were regular flakes.

Discussion

The lithics are a clear indication of past human activity here, but they do not offer any precise indication as to date. It is likely that activity in earlier prehistory is represented.

2.2.59 SFS 33: Scalpay 3, NGR NG 5883 2920

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: Islands (Scalpay)
Size: Unknown
Aspect: South-west level
Height OD: 10–12m
Ground Cover: Grass, rushes
Distance to Sea: 120m to south-west, shingle beach
Distance to Fresh Water: 160m to south-east
Threats: Eroding, slope failure, animals
Description: Situated on distinct raised beach platform (see Illustrations 262, top left & 263, bottom left).
Archaeology: Surface collection from washed-out animal tracks and eroding ground surface on raised beach. Test pits: five 1m test pits and three 0.25m test pits were excavated down to the natural beach surface (see Illustration 264, right). The depth of the pits varied between 0.1m and 0.3m, due to the deflated and eroded ground surface. The test pits all had similar contexts:

• Context 1 Surface vegetation and associated dark, peaty soil, with small to medium angular and rounded stones
• Context 2 A compact surface of angular and rounded stones constituting the old raised beach platform surface. Possibly derived from alluvial deposits from nearby stream

Finds

Lithics: There were 152 lithics from Scalpay 3. Over half were of quartz and quartzite, most of the rest were of chalcedonic silica, and there were 10 pieces of Rùm bloodstone and one piece of volcanic glass. Most of the assemblage was debitage (see Tables 88 & 89 in Section 2.2.65, below), but there were 34 regular flakes, two blades and six retouched pieces (three scrapers, two broken pieces and a piece with miscellaneous microlithic retouch).

Discussion

The lithics indicate activity in the earlier part of prehistory, though it is not possible to tie them in to a specific period. There is broad evidence for both the manufacture of tools, using mainly local materials, and for tool use.

2.2.60 SFS 56: Scalpay 4, NGR NG 5872 2956

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: Islands (Scalpay)
Size: Unknown
Aspect: South-west, level
Height OD: 12m
Ground Cover: Heather, grass and moss
Distance to Sea: 100m to south-west, shingle beach
Distance to Fresh Water: 5-19m to south-east
Threats: Eroding, animals
Description: Surface scatter collected from washed-out animal track, on flank of raised beach platform to north-west of small stream
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Lithics: There were 26 lithics from Scalpay 4 (see Tables 88 & 89 in Section 2.2.65, below). Most were of quartz and quartzite and there were five pieces of chalcedonic silica and one piece of Rùm bloodstone. Half of the pieces were debitage, and there were 11 regular flakes and one bifacially retouched flake of indeterminate type.

Discussion

The lithics indicate activity in prehistory.

2.2.61 SFS 118: Scalpay 5, NGR NG 5891 2915

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 2003
Survey Area: Islands (Scalpay)
Size: Unknown
Aspect: South-west with gentle slope
Height OD: 12m
Ground Cover: Heather, grass and moss
Distance to Sea: 100m to south-west, shingle beach
Distance to Fresh Water: 5–19m to south-east
Threats: Eroding, animals
Description: Surface scatter collected from eroding vehicle access track, passing over a double raised beach feature
Archaeology : Surface collection

Finds

Lithics: Scalpay 5 yielded 202 lithics (see Tables 88 & 89 in Section 2.2.65, below). 148 pieces were of quartz and quartzite, 36 of chalcedonic silica and 18 of Rùm bloodstone. Most of the assemblage (156 pieces) was debitage, but there was one bipolar core, 41 regular flakes, three blades and a broken retouched piece.

Discussion

It is not possible to tie the lithics to a specific period but they are clearly representative of human activity in prehistory.

2.2.62 SFS 198: Scalpay 6a, NGR NG 5874 2939

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 2003
Survey Area: Islands (Scalpay)
Size: Unknown
Aspect: South-west with gentle slope to sea
Height OD: 8–10m
Ground Cover: Grass, rushes and heather
Distance to Sea: 100m to south-west, shingle beach
Threats: Erosion by animal movement
Description: Situated at base of sloping ground with lazy-beds, a surface collection was initially made from ground disturbed by livestock and an eroding animal track
Archaeology: Six 1m² test pits were excavated down to the natural beach deposits, which had been washed down-slope (see Illustration 265, right). The maximum depth of test pits was 0.35m and lithics were recovered throughout the stratum

Test Pits 1, 2, and 4

• Context 1 Shallow top soil, light brown, quite friable containing pea gravel to 0.12m
• Context 2 Mixed dark brown soil and gravel averaging 0.13m deep, with angular small to medium stones
• Context 3 Thin (0.01m) layer of iron pan immediately overlying compacted angular gravels, with some rounded beach pebbles

Test Pit 3

• Context 1 Shallow light brown topsoil with small pea gravel mix to maximum depth 0.08m
• Context 2 Mixed soils and gravel average 0.12m deep, gravel is small to medium and angular
• Context 3 Layer of iron pan 0.01m thick, immediately overlying compacted angular gravels, with some rounded beach pebbles

Test Pits 5 and 6

• Context 1 Homogeneous layer of dark, wet peaty soil, containing small to medium angular gravel. Average depth: 0.4m
• Context 2 Lightly compacted layer of small to medium angular gravel
• Context 3 Compact layer of small to medium angular gravel containing a few rounded pebbles

Finds

Lithics: There were 659 lithics recovered from Scalpay 6a. Most were of quartz and quartzite and chalcedonic silica (see Tables 88 & 89 in Section 2.2.65, below), but there were 16 pieces of Rùm bloodstone, three pieces of baked mudstone, two pieces of volcanic glass and one fragment of flaked coarse stone. Over 500 pieces were debitage, but there were 87 regular flakes as well as 27 blades, one platform core and ten retouched pieces. The latter included five narrow-blade microliths as well as a scraper, an edge-retouched piece, an awl and two bifacial pieces.

Discussion

The lithics provide abundant evidence for human activity and the presence of microliths and blades suggests that this site is Mesolithic. Predominantly local raw materials were used and it would seem that both tool manufacture and tool use are represented.

2.2.63 SFS 195: Scalpay 6b, NGR NG 5877 2943

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 2003
Survey Area: Islands (Scalpay)
Size: Unknown
Aspect: South-west with gentle slope to sea
Height OD: 17m
Ground Cover: Grass, heather and moss
Distance to Sea: 110m
Threats: Animal action, water action
Description: Situated upslope from Scalpay 6a, to north of drystone dyke on a higher raised beach platform. Wet, eroding surface through animal ponding and run-off, produced the initial surface collection of lithics
Archaeology: Three 1m² test pits and three 0.25m² test pits were excavated to the natural beach terrace. The maximum depth of the pits was 0.13m. There was evidence of lazy bed cultivation rigs overlying site

Test Pits 1, 5, and 6

• Context 1 Fibrous, dark, peaty soil averaging between 0.08–0.12m deep
• Context 2 Thin mineralised light brown soil, containing small to medium angular and rounded gravels. Maximum depth: 0.01m
• Context 3 Compact former raised beach ground surface comprising angular and rounded gravels

Test Pits 2 and 3

• Context 1 Fibrous, dark, peaty soil averaging between 0.1–0.15m deep
• Context 2 Thin mineralised light brown soil, containing small to medium angular and rounded gravels. Maximum depth: 0.01m
• Context 3 Compact former raised beach ground surface comprising angular and rounded gravels

Test Pit 4

• Context 1 Fibrous, dark, wet, peaty soil averaging 0.2m deep maximum
• Context 2 Thin mineralised light brown soil, containing small to medium angular and rounded gravels. Maximum depth: 0.01m
• Context 3 Compact former raised beach ground surface comprising angular and rounded gravels

Finds

Lithics: There were 1578 lithics from Scalpay 6b (see Tables 88 & 89 in Section 2.2.65, below). Most of the material comprised local quartz and quartzite, but there were also 55 pieces of chalcedonic silica and three of Rùm bloodstone. Most of the assemblage was debitage but there were 188 regular flakes and two blades, as well as two bipolar cores and a single retouched piece: a microburin.

Discussion

The lithics indicate human activity in early prehistory, mainly flint-knapping, but it is impossible to tie them down to a specific period.

2.2.64 SFS 196: Scalpay 7, NGR NG 5905 2896

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 2003
Survey Area: Islands (Scalpay)
Size: Unknown
Aspect: South-west undulating ground
Height OD: 10m
Ground Cover: Bracken, heather and grass
Distance to Sea: 60m to south-west
Distance to Fresh Water: 1m to north-west
Threats: Erosion from surface of vehicle access track
Description: Surface scatter collected from washed-out vehicle access track, located immediately above small stream
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Lithics: There were 30 lithics from Scalpay 7 (see Tables 88 & 89 in Section 2.2.65, below). Most were of quartz and quartzite, but there were six pieces of chalcedonic silica and two of Rùm bloodstone. Scalpay 7 differed from the other Scalpay sites in that most of the assemblage comprised regular flakes (22 pieces), with only seven pieces of debitage and one retouched piece: a narrow blade microlith (a fine point).

Discussion

The lithics provide clear evidence of human activity which may be of Mesolithic date, though dating on the basis of one artefact is weak.

2.2.65 SFS 197: Scalpay 8, NGR 5890 2934

Type of Site: Findspot
SFS Record: 2003
Survey Area: Islands (Scalpay)
Size: Unknown
Aspect: South-west with gentle slope
Height OD: 10m
Ground Cover: Bracken, heather and grass
Distance to Sea: 220m to west
Distance to Fresh Water: 160m to south-east
Threats: Stable
Description: Two isolated finds
Archaeology: Transect of ten shovel pits aligned north-west—south-east

Finds

Lithics: There were two lithics, a platform core of Rùm bloodstone and a scalene triangle of chalcedonic silica (see Tables 88 & 89, below).

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Discussion

The lithics suggest human activity in the Mesolithic, though the small quantity of evidence, despite shovel pitting, suggests that this may be an ephemeral site.

2.2.66 SFS 15: Shieldaig, NGR NG 8162 5227

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 1999
References:Walker 1973; Saville & Ballin 2000; Ballin & Saville 2003
Survey Area: Torridan
Size: Unknown
Aspect: North-west slope down to sea
Height OD: 15m
Ground Cover: Scrub, birch, pine, willow, heather, grass
Distance to Sea: 250m to north-west, narrow inlet
Distance to Fresh Water: 8m to west
Threats: Very disturbed site, ongoing threats from erosion, wind, animals, footpath, electricity sub station and buildings
Description: A roadside gravel quarry contains all that is left of Shieldaig, a Mesolithic site excavated in the 1970s (see Illustration 266, right). The lithic assemblage has been examined and elements published on various occasions (Walker 1973; Clarke & Griffiths 1990; Saville & Ballin 2000; Ballin & Saville 2003) but the site has never been fully published. Lithics may still be collected from the upper levels of the erosion faces around the edge of the quarry
Archaeology: The site at Shieldaig was excavated in 1973. At that time a basic report of the site was prepared, though nothing was published (Walker 1973). Shieldaig itself is now destroyed and there is little to see on the ground, but the lithic assemblage was examined briefly in 1986 as part of the Rùm Excavations Project (Clarke & Griffiths 1990)

Finds

Lithics: The excavations in 1973 yielded a microlithic scatter of some 6000 pieces. When the site was visited by the surveyors for the SLS, 45 lithics were collected. Over half of these were of quartz, and there were 14 pieces of chalcedonic silica, one of baked mudstone, and one of Rùm bloodstone. Half of this material is debitage, there are 18 regular flakes, one blade, and three retouched pieces: a scraper and two edge-retouched pieces.

Discussion

Shieldaig is an area with other sites of some antiquity including a chambered cairn of Neolithic date that was excavated, but not published, in the 1980s by Melia Hedges (CANMORE NG85SW 3). The lithic assemblage provides abundant evidence of human activity in the Mesolithic, though comprehensive analysis and discussion awaits further study.

The material from the lithic scatter at Shieldaig is currently part of a much wider study focussed on quartz assemblages in Scotland, and though the final results are not yet available (Saville & Ballin 2000) one of the artefacts has been singled out for publication and detailed discussion (Ballin & Saville 2003). This is a tanged point of flint which was recovered from the disturbed surface layers of the site. Tanged points would conventionally point to early, pre-Mesolithic activity perhaps in the 10th millennium BP, but, as the authors point out, there is a general lack of context at Shieldaig and indeed at other putative tanged point sites in Scotland (Ballin & Saville 2003) so that the precise interpretation of this find is currently uncertain.

The rest of the assemblage from Shieldaig includes both Mesolithic and more recent type material including narrow blade microliths and bifacial leaf shaped points of conventionally Neolithic type (but see Wickham-Jones 1990). As part of the 1986 Rùm project, Clarke examined 6001 pieces from Shieldaig, of which 88% was made of quartz. There was a small amount of Rùm bloodstone (1%) and some chalcedonic silica (11%) (Clarke & Griffiths 1990), but it is likely that baked mudstone would not have been recognised at that time due to the considerable amount by which it can degrade over the millennia. By far the greatest proportion of the assemblage was debitage, but there were some narrow blades and microliths suggesting that tools were used at Shieldaig as well as made in the vicinity of the site.

2.2.67 SFS 36: Staffin Island

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: Trotternish
Size: N/A
Aspect: South
Height OD: 3m
Ground Cover: Grass
Distance to Sea: 4m to south, pebbly beach
Distance to Fresh Water: 200m to north
Threats: Erosion, animals, grazing, wave action
Description: Staffin Island lies just offshore from Staffin Bay and the excavated site of SFS 1, An Corran (see Illustration 267, top right). It comprises a soil cliff with lithics eroding out (see Illustration 268, bottom right)
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Lithics: There were seven surface finds from SFS 36, all of chalcedonic silica except for a regular flake of baked mudstone. They included six regular flakes and a large platform core which had not been exhausted.

Discussion

The lithics indicate activity in the past, perhaps in prehistory.

2.2.68 SFS 191 & SFS 192: Suarbie Burn, NGR NG 4825 6565 & NG 4855 6590

Type of Site: Multiple findspots
SFS Record: 2001
Survey Area: Trotternish
Size: Unknown
Aspect: N/A
Height OD: 70m OD
Ground Cover: Peat and heather at edge of burn
Distance to Sea: 3km to east
Distance to Fresh Water: At edge of burn
Threats: N/A
Description: The Suarbie Burn flows down to the northern shores of Staffin Bay. As it drops on to the lower land it cuts through deposits of till which are overlain by peat in the upper reaches
Archaeology: The burn was walked to look for samples of raw material because pebbles of chalcedonic silica had been reported along its exposures (see Illustrations 269 & 270, right). In addition to numerous raw material samples (Section 5; Appendix 13) a few pieces of struck stone were found in the erosion scars along the bank

Finds

Lithics: Seven pieces of chalcedonic silica were recovered. They came from two different stretches of the bank and so have been allocated separate SFS numbers. There are three pieces of debitage, and four regular flakes.

Discussion

The lithics are the result of human activity, but they may well be in a secondary location in the bank deposits of the burn.

2.2.69 SFS 162: Teanga Fhiadhaich, NGR NG 9351 4094

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 2002
Survey Area: Loch Carron
Size: 10m deep×5m wide×2.5m high
Aspect: North-west, on 30m raised beach
Height OD: 40m
Ground Cover: Trees
Distance to Sea: 160m to north-west, open river mouth
Distance to Fresh Water: 200m to north
Threats: Enclosed grazing, erosion
Description: A lithic scatter site on the raised beach (see Illustration 271, right)
Archaeology: Surface collection

Finds

Lithics: There were 13 lithic finds. There was one debitage flake and 12 regular flakes. Most was of quartz (11 pieces) with one piece of Rùm bloodstone and one of chalcedonic silica.

Discussion

This assemblage certainly suggests prehistoric activity, but it is not large and there is no period specific material.

2.2.70 SFS 186: The Mains, Torridon Village, NGR NG 9020 6670

Type of Site: Open-air lithic scatter site
SFS Record: 2002
Survey Area: Torridan
Size: Unknown
Aspect: South-west
Height OD: 12m
Ground Cover: Grass
Distance to Sea: 100m to south-west
Distance to Fresh Water: 30m to north-west
Threats: Cattle grazing, waterlogging
Description: A well-defined raised beach site lying on the north shore of the eastern end of Loch Torridon (see Illustration 272, top right). Although the site has not been ploughed in recent memory, the ground bore signs of cultivation
Archaeology: A single transect of 25 shovel pits was laid to run east to west across the level surface of the raised beach (see Illustration 273, bottom right). Shovel Pits 1–6 lay on a slightly raised green knoll while the remainder of the pits ran through an area of wet, rush covered, ground. The underlying deposit differed across the site with Pits 1–6 lying over a sorted pebble beach deposit, while the remainder of the pits lay over compacted yellow sand with occasional boulders. Pits were dug through a well sorted plough soil, 80–300mm deep

Finds

Lithics: There were three finds all from the same pit, SP5: a blade and a flake of chalcedonic silica; and a piece of quartz debitage. The recovered lithics lay at the interface of the plough soil and the underlying pebble beach.

Discussion

The lithics certainly indicate past human activity, but they are few in number and not period specific.

2.2.71 SFS 19: Toscaig 1, NGR NG 7168 3649

Type of Site: Rockshelter with midden and structures
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: South Applecross
Size: 2m deep×8m wide×1.5m high
Aspect: South-east at foot of sandstone cliffs
Height OD: 50m
Ground Cover: Bracken and brambles
Distance to Sea: 500m
Distance to Fresh Water: 5m to east
Threats: Stable
Description: The site is located within a cleft formed in a large outcrop of sandstone within a region of moorland approximately 0.8 km from the coast (see Illustrations 274, top right & 275, left). Two shieling huts, both of which are marked on the current Ordnance Survey maps, lie 300m to the north. A drystone wall blocks the entrance to the cleft providing shelter from the north. The field survey identified the presence of a hearth, cooking pot and vestigial remains of a midden within the cleft
Archaeology: A single test pit was dug (see Illustration 276, bottom right)

Test Pit 1: (2m×0.5m) was placed against the east side of the cleft wall.

• Context 1 Organic peaty soil with bracken roots
• Context 2 A layer of angular stones derived from the side of the wall
• Context 3 An organic layer, interpreted as burnt peat with charcoal flecks
• Context 4 A midden deposit sealed by Context 3. Within this layer, fragments of a cast iron cooking pot were found in situ alongside rim sherds of a bone china bowl. The midden comprised 95% limpet shell with occasional periwinkle and oyster shell and attained a depth of 0.27m resting on a layer of boulders measuring 0.50m in length×0.20m wide. A small antechamber, large enough to lie in, had been formed below a large rock and it is not clear if boulders had been deliberately placed to form a level platform. Midden material was present within the fissures between the boulders that could not be removed

Finds

Pottery: There were four sherds of glazed pottery, all from Context 1 of Test Pit 1.

Metalwork: There were two fragments of iron nails from Test Pit 1, Context 4.

Bone: Two field vole teeth were found in the midden deposit.

Shell: Near the hearth there was a predominance of limpet shell (557g) with a very small amount of mussel (5g) and periwinkle (11g) (residue: 32g). In Context 4 a variety of shells are present with periwinkle and dogwhelk predominating (1785g), limpet (582g), oyster (72g), mussel (29g), razor shell (1g), flat periwinkle (1g) and topshell (1g) (residue:1199g).

Discussion

The finds suggest fairly recent activity at this site.

2.2.72 SFS 20: Toscaig 2, NGR NG 7010 3758

Type of Site: Cave with structures
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: South Applecross
Size: 15m deep×15m wide
Aspect: West at foot of sea cliffs
Height OD: 8m
Ground Cover: Nettle and bracken
Distance to Sea: 25m to west, rocky, open small pebble beach
Distance to Fresh Water: 108m to south
Threats: Stable
Description: This deep and dry cave site is situated on a rough exposed rocky coast below cliffs (see Illustrations 28, left & 277, top right). An insubstantial wall curves across the mouth of the cave with no obvious entrance but it is tumbled in the centre. Hammerstones, possible bone tools and modern debris lie on the surface. Occasional shells are visible and hard packed sheep droppings form the floor
Archaeology: Two test pits were dug (see Illustration 278, bottom right). Test Pit 1 lay inside the cave, and had deep well preserved stratigraphy with eight clearly defined contexts. Test Pit 2 lay outside cave, under a rocky overhang, and had deep well preserved stratigraphy with seven well-defined contexts

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) aligned north-east—south-west, 2m inside the cave mouth and 1m from the wall of the cave (see Illustrations 279, left & 280, right). Deep and well preserved stratigraphy was encountered, with up to 0.8m of deposits.

• Context 2011 Sheep droppings
• Context 2012 A modern informal hearth or burnt area within context 2011
• Context 2013 A mixed shell layer with abundant organic remains
• Context 2014 A series of interleaved occupation lenses, comprising ash, charcoal and crushed shell
• Context 2015 A further deposit of shell midden, fire cracked stones and organic remains
• Context 2016 Clean, voided, well preserved limpet midden
• Context 2017 A natural layer of gritty sand
• Context 2018 Bedrock

Test Pit 2: (1m×0.5m) positioned 3m from the mouth of the cave but still under the rocky overhang (see Illustrations 281, left & 282, right). Again, deep stratigraphy was encountered with around 0.8m of deposits, as in Test Pit 1. Test Pit 2 was aligned north—south.

• Context 2021 Surface vegetation of grass and bracken with loose stones
• Context 2022 A mixed shell midden with bones, organic lenses and modern finds (glass)
• Context 2023 A layer of natural sand accretion following an episode of rapid slopewash and tumble with angular stones randomly lying in sand
• Context 2024 Gradual tumble and slopewash with the stones being deposited in a more level fashion
• Context 2025 Gradual tumble and slopewash with the stones being deposited in a more level fashion
• Context 2026 Bones and fragmentary shell remains in a matrix of stony slopewash
• Context 2027 Large angular rocks which precluded further excavation at a depth of just over 0.8m

Finds

Lithics: There were four lithic finds, all debitage, from the two test pits. Test Pit 1 yielded three pieces of chalcedonic silica, and Test Pit 2 yielded a flake of quartz.

Coarse Stone: There were two coarse stone tools: a bevelled pebble (ST17) and a whetstone/rubber (ST30). While the bevelled pebble might indicate Mesolithic activity, the whetstone is more likely to indicate a later prehistoric date. Though its shape is natural and the faces appear unworn it does have streaks of residue, which may indicate that it was used to sharpen a metal blade, or as a rubber.

Bone tools: One piece, a carefully made point on an articulation (BT132), was found in Test Pit 2, Spit 3 (see Illustration 89, above).

Glass: The neck of an olive-green bottle from Test Pit 2, Spit 2.

Bone: Red deer, cattle, pig, seal and vole were all present. The assemblage was dominated by deer bone, the majority of which was derived from the extremities with bones of the head, feet and lower limbs present. There is also the rodent gnawed tip of an antler tine. Cattle are also represented by the extremities, with only a fragment of cattle tibia representing the main limbs. Two red deer bones, one cattle bone, three pig bones and two sheep teeth were burnt, indicating human activity. Seal is present at this site as a jaw fragment, a loose tooth and proximally unfused toe present. The seal jaw comprised only the left ascending ramous which bore a cut mark, probably associated with disarticulation. The loose tooth was identified as Common seal.

Non-anthropogenic species recorded include bank and field vole teeth (two teeth are associated with a modern hearth) and a number of amphibia longbones. In addition there was a mixed assemblage of fish bones, including much burnt material (especially from Test Pit 2). These included saithe, pollack, gadids, wrasse and plaice.

Shell: In both test pits limpet predominates (see Table 90; Illustrations 283 & 284, both below). There are a number of periwinkles in most contexts. There are also a number of other species present but only in very small numbers. Oyster occurs through Test Pit 1 but only in context 4 in Test Pit 2, and in Test Pit 2 there are a variety of species in the top few spits. The limpets within Test Pit 1 are very large and bleached as if they have been exposed at some point.

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Illus 283: SFS 20, Toscaig 2, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species in Test Pit 1 by context

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Illus 284: SFS 20, Toscaig 2, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species in Test Pit 2 by context

Dates

There were three radiocarbon determinations from Toscaig 2, all from samples well stratified within the lower contexts of the Test Pits (see Table 91, below). They cover a range of some 300 years from the early 1st and 2nd century BC to the early years AD.

Table 91
SFS 20 Context	Reference	Material	Date BP	Age
TP1 C2025	AA-50667	mammal bone	2095±40	210BC–AD10
TP1 C2025	AA-50668	deer bone	2055±35	170BC–AD30
TP1 C2017	AA-50669	hazelnut shell	2195±45	140BC–110BC

Table 91: SFS 20, Toscaig 2, Radiocarbon dates, see Section 4

Discussion

Toscaig 2 is an interesting cave site. The stratigraphy inside the cave comprises intense laminated occupation deposits. The layers of midden within the cave do not relate to corresponding midden outside. This site has had an unstable history outside and around it that contrasts with the stability within; and episodes of slopewash and rockfall dominate the external stratigraphy. Inside, the occupation layers continue, uninterrupted by abandonment or rockfall until very recent times.

The lithics are undiagnostic, though the coarse stone tools suggest both early and later prehistoric activity. The latter is in line with the radiocarbon determinations. The glass is post-medieval in date. This was the only site to produce a bone assemblage of any size and activities in the cave seem to have involved the processing of animal carcasses, perhaps to do with hide removal or preparation.

2.2.73 SFS 34: Toscaig 3, NGR NG 7085 3772

Type of Site: Cave with midden
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: South Applecross
Size: 4m deep×4m wide×1.5m high
Aspect: South-east in sea cliffs
Height OD: 6m
Ground Cover: Scrub woodland
Distance to Sea: 5m to east, rocky sheltered
Distance to Fresh Water: 30m to north-west
Threats: Disturbed, human activity
Description: This sheltered site is situated at the head of Loch Toscaig (see Illustration 285, left). The interior is low and rocky and contains modern debris of metal and glass with shell midden visible but difficult to access at the rear of the cave (see Illustration 286, right)
Archaeology: Only one test pit was opened as the rocky exterior area precluded test pitting outside

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) was aligned ESE—WNW and lay inside the cave (see Illustration 287, right).

• Context 3411 Surface shells and modern rubbish
• Context 3412 A natural peaty cave earth with grit and occasional shells
• Context 3413 A layer of beach pebbles with a matrix of clean sand at the base of the test pit

Bedrock was not reached.

Finds

Lithics: Test Pit 1 yielded five lithic finds. There was a piece of quartz and four pieces of chalcedonic silica. All but one of the finds were regular flakes.

Bone: A cattle lower molar was recovered.

Shell: Mussel predominates here with some limpet, periwinkle and oyster (see Table 92, below; Illustration 288, below). The shells in the top context were very fresh looking and are probably not particularly old. They have also been exposed and are green. The shells in context 2 and below look much older and much more weathered, and the species representation is different with periwinkle predominating and some limpet and mussel. The limpets in the lower spits are generally smaller.

Table 92
SFS 34	limpet	periwinkle	mussel	oyster	residue
Context 1	175	114	312	152
Context 2	54	333	82		243
Context 3	8	63	5	2	18
Context 4					11

Table 92: SFS 34, Toscaig 3, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

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Illus 288: SFS 34, Toscaig 3, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Discussion

Toscaig 3 has limited evidence of past human activity, but it has clearly been used over the years. The lithics are not diagnostic.

2.2.74 SFS 35: Toscaig 4, NGR NG 7071 3759

Type of Site: Rockshelter with midden and structures
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: South Applecross
Size: 8m deep×4m wide×3m high
Aspect: East in sea cliffs
Height OD: 6m
Ground Cover: Grass and birch
Distance to Sea: 25m to east, rocky, sheltered
Distance to Fresh Water: 150m to north
Threats: Eroding, human activity
Description: This small rockshelter contains surface shell midden, fire cracked stones and charcoal (see Illustrations 289, below left; 290, below middle; & 291, right). A modern hearth and stone bench seat testify to recent visitors, as perhaps do pecked marks on a slab inside the shelter (see Illustration 292, below right)
Archaeology: Two test pits were opened

 

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) aligned north-east—south-west and located over the area of exposed midden within the shelter (see Illustrations 293, left & 294, right).

• Context 3511 Surface shell and dry peat
• Context 3512 Similar to context 3511 but firmer and damper
• Context 3513 A layer of gritty peat and large stones at the base of the test pit

Test Pit 2: (1m×0.5m) situated on the terrace outside the drip line and aligned north—south (see Illustration 295, right).

• Context 3521 Sterile peat and turf
• Context 3522 Angular cobbles with voids and a clay matrix

Finds: There were no artefacts

Shell: In Test Pit 1, limpet predominates throughout (see Table 93, below; Illustration 296, below). The limpets are fairly large in context 1, and in contexts 2 and 3 the shells are in quite a fragmentary state.

Table 93
SFS 35 Test Pit 1	limpet	periwinkle	dogwhelk	mussel	residue
Context 1	1191	43	2	100	453
Context 2	287	51		40	124
Context 3	185	42			48
Context 4	<1	<1

Table 93: SFS 35, Toscaig 4, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

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Illus 296: SFS 35, Toscaig 4, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Discussion

This site offers no great shelter from the weather and though it has clear sign of recent activity, the archaeological remains are not significant.

2.2.75 SFS 38: Toscaig 6 Rockshelter, NGR NG 7095 3925

Type of Site: Rockshelter with midden and structures
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: South Applecross
Size: 30m deep×3m wide
Aspect: North-east, at foot of outcrop
Height OD: 8m
Ground Cover: Heather
Distance to Sea: 500m to north-west, rocky open
Distance to Fresh Water: On site
Threats: Stable
Description: A midden within a rockshelter with a large build up of roof fall. It contains a low wall (1.95m long, 0.35m high, aligned east—west; see Illustration 297, left), of at least four courses, constructed from roof fall material. Vestigial traces of another wall running at right-angles and comprising one course of stone were present (see Illustration 298, right)
Archaeology: Two test pits were excavated

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) positioned 1.1m to the east of the north-south trending wall. At a depth of 1m large fragments of rock-fall prevented further work. Two contexts were identified (see Illustration 299, right):

• Context 1 Dark friable loam with abundant fragmented shell
• Context 2 Dark friable loam. Dry sieving confirmed the presence of limpets and oyster shell but no flint or pottery

Test Pit 2 was positioned 11m to the east, still within the shelter. It had to be abandoned owing to the size of the rockfall. Fragmented marine shell was present within the humified surface soil. Dry sieving confirmed that no artefacts were present.

Finds

There were no finds. A very small amount of un-stratified shell was recovered from Test Pit 1 composed of an MNI of five oysters (five upper and four lower valves and two fragments) and four limpets. The oysters are much worn and look like they have been exposed to the wind and rain. A surface sample of shell (only 315g) was also taken 11m from the corner of the building and this is made up of limpet and oyster

Discussion

The wall appears to represent the remains of a small shieling structure enclosing the midden material. A limiting factor in establishing the true depth of the midden was the amount of rockfall. No dating material was recovered but in all probability the shieling structure is of recent historical age and the lack of finds suggests that the midden may be of similar date.

2.2.76 SFS 39: Toscaig 7, NGR NG 7044 3975

Type of Site: Rockshelter with midden
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: South Applecross
Size: 3m deep×4m wide×1.5m high
Aspect: Under small outcrop above slope to sea
Height OD: 6m
Ground Cover: Bracken
Distance to Sea: 30m to north, rocky and sheltered
Distance to Fresh Water: Unknown
Threats: Stable
Description: A small rockshelter containing midden material
Archaeology: One test pit was excavated

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) positioned 0.40m from the rear wall of the shelter. Two contexts were identified.

• Context 1001 Bracken roots were present to a depth of 0.10m mixed within a layer of loose silty loam. Bedrock was visible near to the surface
• Context 1002 Midden material confined to the fissures formed within the bedrock. The midden attained a maximum depth of 0.27m where this material could be excavated between the natural rock fisures

Finds

Lithics: There were four pieces of debitage from Test Pit 1. Two are of quartz and two of chalcedonic silica.

Shell: A small amount of limpet and oyster shell was recovered, together with some unidentified fragments. These shells are eroded and have a chalky appearance.

Discussion

The presence of midden with lithics is a clear sign of human activity, though the lithics are few and not diagnostic.

2.2.77 SFS 41: Toscaig 9, NGR NG 7009 3896

Type of Site: Rockshelter with midden and structures
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: South Applecross
Size: 10m deep×6m wide×4m high
Aspect: West at foot of sea cliffs
Height OD: 6m
Ground Cover: Grass and bare soil
Distance to Sea: 15m to west, sheltered sandy beach
Distance to Fresh Water: 100m to south
Threats: Human activity
Description: A large airy rockshelter containing a modern hearth and camping remains that are visible on the surface of patchy moss and grass as is an extensive midden of limpets and periwinkles (see Illustrations 300 & 301, left). An irregular line of boulders runs roughly below the drip line at the edge of the overhang and may represent the remains of a sheltering wall (see Illustration 302, right)
Archaeology: Two test pits were dug

Test Pit 1: (aligned SSE—NNW) lay within the shelter and contained deep stratigraphy and well preserved deposits (see Illustration 303, right).

• Context 4111 Peat and crushed shell
• Context 4112 A thick occupation layer of laminated or interleaved ash and charcoal rich lenses with broken shell throughout
• Context 4113 Well-preserved shell midden of mainly limpets with infrequent fire cracked stones and charcoal
• Context 4114 Bedrock lay below these layers

Parts of these deposits had been disturbed by root action.

Test Pit 2: (1m×0.5m) aligned south-east—north-west and was positioned on relatively level ground, outside the drip line and just outside the protective wall in an area of mosses and grasses (see Illustration 304, left).

• Context 4121 Topsoil and turf
• Context 4122 Peat and angular tumbled stones
• Context 4123 A shell midden of periwinkles in a peaty matrix spread down the hill from the interior of the rock-shelter
• Context 4124 Angular natural tumbled stones
• Context 4125 Black peaty soil and stone chips
• Context 4126 Bedrock. The upper three contexts were sampled

Finds

Lithics: Test Pit 2 yielded seven pieces of baked mudstone. Three are regular flakes and four are debitage.

Glass: One sherd of clear iridescent glass, Test Pit 1, Spit 1.

Metalwork: A plain annular ring of iron to which a surface sheet of tin has been soldered was found in Test Pit 1, Spit 1. In addition, Test Pit 1 (Spits 1&2) contained 34 small fragments from a flat sheet mount of iron, the edges of which have been turned over and flattened to form a raised border 5mm wide. The surviving corner has stamped decoration, there is a rivet hole 2mm in diameter punched from the front (border) side. Rivets survive in two sheet fragments, both with sub-square heads c 4×4mm and short flat shanks; one joined two sheets together. Few fragments join, but the overall length of surviving border is 120mm. There were also several small fragments of iron from Test Pit 1 including: three fragments of an unidentified flat sheet object with part of one straight edge; a single tack; and five nail fragments.

Bone: The assemblage includes both domestic and wild species. There were a few cattle bones as well as remains of sheep/goat. Wild food species include red deer and Common seal. Other material includes frog, modern rabbit and small mammal. Both test pits yielded considerable quantities of fish bone including saithe, pollack, cod and wrasse. The fish bone possibly suggests that the processing of fish took place here.

Shell: Limpet and periwinkle predominate with some mussel and oyster but there is also a mixture of other shells, especially in Test Pit 1 (see Table 94, below; Illustrations 305 & 306, both below). A few shells are not presented in the table because it is not clear what species they are, but it is possible they are warty venus (Venus verrucosa) and rayed artemis (Dosinia exoleta). This site is unique because of the quantity of topshell in the lower levels. These are very small: 30 shells weigh about 9g so in context 8 there are about 360 shells and in Context 9 almost 1000. In addition to the topshells being very small there are a number of other species which appear to be very small, including a buckie, and some very small dogwhelks in Context 8. In Test Pit 1, context 6 it was noted that the shells appear to be very robust, especially the mussel which is well preserved and probably fairly recent in date. In Test Pit 2, context 1 the limpets are fairly eroded and look like they have been exposed; they are light in weight and fairly bleached.

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Illus 305: SFS 41, Toscaig 9, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species in Test Pit 1 by context

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Illus 306: SFS 41, Toscaig 9, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species in Test Pit 2 by context

Dates

Three samples were taken from a thick occupation layer of laminated ash with shell (see Table 95, below). They lay towards the base of this context. Samples of birch charcoal were also taken from the underlying context, context 4113, shell midden. The results suggest at least two periods of activity in the shelter, one in the late 1st-early 2nd millennium AD and the second sometime between the late 15th-early 17th centuries AD.

Table 95
SFS 41 Context	Reference	Material	Date BP	Age
TP1 C4112	AA-50674	hazelnut shell	350±30	AD1460–1640
TP1 C4112	AA-50675	hazelnut shell	325±35	AD1480–1650
TP1 C4112	AA-50676	cow bone	525±35	AD1380–1450
TP1 C4113	AA-50677	birch charcoal	1255±95	AD630–990
TP1 C4113	AA-50678	birch charcoal	885±35	AD1030–1240

Table 95: Radiocarbon dates, SFS 41, Toscaig 9, see Section 4

Discussion

Extensive and well preserved archaeological deposits remain at this site where there appear to be two distinct periods of occupation. The lithics are undiagnostic. The glass and much of the metalwork suggests a post-medieval date which would be in line with the more recent dates.

2.2.78 SFS 42: Toscaig 10 (Allt Glas Nan Imireachain), NGR NG 7211 3975

Type of Site: Rockshelter
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: South Applecross
Size: 12m deep×4m wide×2m high
Aspect: South-west at foot of large outcrop
Height OD: 150m
Ground Cover: Heather and bracken
Distance to Sea: 750m to west
Distance to Fresh Water: 50m to south-west
Threats: Erosion, animals
Description: A large rockshelter, partly wet
Archaeology: Findspot

Finds

Coarse Stone: There was a plain hammerstone (ST24), comprising a rounded cobblestone with some pecking at the ends from this site.

Discussion

Tools like this hammerstone might have been in use at any time up to and including the present day.

2.2.79 SFS 105: Uags 1, NGR NG 7266 3482

Type of Site: Cave with midden
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: South Applecross
Size: 8m deep×10m wide×2.5m high
Aspect: South at foot of sea cliffs
Height OD: 10–12m
Ground Cover: Nettles and bracken
Distance to Sea: 12m to south, sea cliffs
Distance to Fresh Water: Unknown
Threats: Stable
Description: A fairly dry cave near the south-west corner of the Applecross peninsula. The site has easy access from the abandoned settlement of Uags (see Illustrations 307, left & 308, right). An extensive shell midden is visible inside the cave, and this extends outside the drip line. A large lump of iron slag was found just outside the cave
Archaeology: Three test pits were excavated, two outside the cave and one inside

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) aligned north-east—south-west, was excavated in the centre of the cave where deep stratigraphy seemed to be most likely. It contained three well defined contexts (see Illustrations 309, left & 310, right).

• Context 10511 Sheep droppings and fragmentary shells: an abandonment layer
• Context 10512 An occupation zone of ash and shell lenses with peat and charcoal fragments
• Context 10513 Angular stones in a peaty matrix at a depth of 0.7m. The water table was reached at this point, in spite of the dry weather. This suggests a wet cave environment and may explain why no earlier deposits are apparent

Test Pits 2 and 3: (1m×0.5m) were both excavated outside the cave, beyond the drip line and away from the apparent spread of midden.

• Context 10520 Grass and wild flowers
• Context 10521 A rich organic soil overlying bedrock in Test Pit 2
• Context 10530 Grass and bracken
• Context 10531 A rich organic soil overlying bedrock in Test Pit 3

Finds

Lithics: There were ten lithic finds from Uags. Six came from the surface and Test Pit 1 yielded a further four. Seven pieces are of quartz, two of chalcedonic silica, and one of baked mudstone. There were four pieces of debitage, five regular flakes and a quartz blade.

Bone tools: One piece, (BT134) was found in context 10512. It is a fine point (see Illustration 311, right).

Bone: A cattle tooth and the vertebra of a small mammal were recovered from the surface layer context 10511.

Shell: Shell was only found in Test Pit 1 (see Table 96; Illustration 312, below). Limpet predominated, followed by periwinkle and a number of other species were present in much smaller quantities.

Table 96
SFS 105 Test Pit 1	limpet	periwinkle	mussel	oyster	cockle	clam	residue
Context 1	31	43	1				101
Context 2	1038	228	20	34	1	6	1406
Context 3	1						10

Table 96: SFS 105, Uags, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

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Illus 312: SFS 105, Uags, marine molluscs, weight in grams for individual species by context

Discussion

The coast here is exposed and rocky with little fresh water or agricultural land. Archaeological material was only found in one test pit and the remains are suggestive of a recent date, probably post-medieval, on comparison with other sites with similar stratigraphy. The lithics are not diagnostic and might be related to this or they could have come from earlier activity.

2.2.80 SFS 61: Uamh An Triall, NGR NG 6930 5472

Type of Site: Findspot
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: North Applecross
Size: Unknown
Aspect: N/A
Height OD: 15m
Ground Cover: Grass
Distance to Sea: 50m to west
Distance to Fresh Water: 20m to north
Threats: Grazing
Description: Molehill
Archaeology: A molehill in front of a natural rock fissure was found to contain a single quartz flake

Finds

Lithics: One quartz flake.

Discussion

There is little evidence of human activity here.

2.2.81 SFS 63: NGR NG 6935 5520

Type of Site: Cave with structures
SFS Record: 2000
Survey Area: North Applecross
Size: 4m deep×4m wide×2m high
Aspect: South, level terrace at foot of cliffs
Height OD: 5–6m
Ground Cover: Grass and bracken
Distance to Sea: 30m to west, open shelving coast
Distance to Fresh Water: 10m to south
Threats: Human activity
Description: An easily found and sheltered site in an otherwise exposed coast (see Illustration 313, right). A waterfall splashes down the cliff outside the cave and the cave floor is wet and covered with liverwort and other mosses. A modern drystone wall has been erected outside the cave, well beyond the drip line.
Archaeology: One test pit was excavated

Test Pit 1: (1m×0.5m) aligned north-east—south-west inside the cave, with a depth of almost 0.7m (see Illustration 314, right).

• Context 6311 A homogeneous charcoal rich surface soil
• Context 6312 An area of good flat paving which appeared to run around the periphery of the cave
• Contexts 6313, 6314, 6315 & 6316 A series of natural layers of silty sands and gravels
• Context 6317 Bedrock

Discussion

The only activity revealed in the cave was associated with the paved area, context 6312 and this surface midden layer contained modern pottery. It is possible that the paving represents a corn-drying kiln or an agricultural processing area with peripheral paving and a machine or implement in the centre. There were no other archaeological or prehistoric remains.

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Illustrations 326 & 327 in Section 3.2 are repeated here for reference purposes.