Monument record 875 - GEIRISCLETT, NORTH UIST

NF77NE 2 7673 7537.

(NF 766 754) In the centre of Geirisclett, a promontory, is a mound where excavation has revealed traces of at least two comparatively modern buildings superimposed upon a large chamber of irregular shape with central hearth and groups of small cells on its E and W borders (total width - 63 ft). On the E, immediately below the turf, is a layer of kitchen-midden shells 12 to 20ft deep. The site was particularly rich in bone objects, which inclued a possibly Md knife handle and portions of antlers. Pottery was also found. (E Beveridge 1911). The finds are in the NMAS.
E Beveridge 1911; Proc Soc Antiq Scot 1912; 1922.

The most prominent knoll on Geirisclett, at NF 7673 7537, has much loose stone on its summit, among which can be seen the outlines of at least two rectangular buildings: it was impossible to make out any other definite features.
Visited by OS (W D J) 21 June 1965.

A distinct knoll towards the centre of Geirisclett peninsula is the site of a later prehistoric settlement of uncertain form, revealed during excavations by Erskine Beveridge. Norse artefacts and post-mediaeval structures were also identified, suggesting a complex history of settlement at this site. Reid's map of 1799 shows a settlement at this location, and OS 1881 records an enclosure.
The summit of the knoll shows clear evidence of previous excavations, with lengths and stubs of walling exposed. A large stone pile lies on the southern side of the summit. At least three phases of walling appear to be present. The earliest is defined by a substantial arc of walling c. 20 m long defining the west and north sides of the summit; a possible terminus on the SW side may mark the position of an entrance through the wall. This wall is up to 2m wide and 0.8m high. Indications of voided rubble on the northern side of the summit, sealed beneath a later stone pile, may indicate the presence here of an intramural gallery. The full circuit of this presumably circular structure cannot be traced, and has presumably been heavily disturbed by later constructions. Possible cellular structures and indications of the post-medieval structures are visible within the presumed interior of the circular structure.
The summit of the knoll is surrounded by a number of features. Principal among these is a sinuous grassed stone wall up to 1m high which runs around all but the SW quadrant. Its NE corner lies beside the rear edge of the foreshore. On its terminus on the west side the wall lies c. 6m from the outer face of the puative prehistoric wall. A trapezoidal enclosure measuring 11m E-W by 9m and bounded by a double-faced boulder wall up to 1m wide by 0.5m high lies at the southern terminus of the wall enclosuring the knoll (NF 7671 7533). This is the structure recorded on the first edition OS coverage. The denuded remains of a presumably earlier enclosing wall can be traced for c. 30m on the SE-NE slopes of the knoll c. 10-15m uphill from the more extensive enclosing wall. This alignment appears to incorporate a roughly central 2m wide gap, possibly for an entrance. These outer enclosures cannot be related to the structures on the summit of the hill from surface traces, although they reinforce the imporession of a complex sequence of construction being present.
Dunwell 1997

Erskine Beveridge, 1911, North Uist: its archaeology and topography, 206-7 illust. facing 206 (Bibliographic reference). SWE12876.

PSAS, 1911-12, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 333-4 (Bibliographic reference). SWE9079.

PSAS, 1921-2, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 15 (Bibliographic reference). SWE9178.

Andrew Dunwell, 1998, Vallay Strand Project 1995-7 (Unpublished document). SWE41015.