Monument record 2662 - Airigh Mhic Ruaridh, CEANN NA CLACHAN, NORTH UIST

NF77SE 29 7700 7422

A farmstead comprising one roofed and two unroofed buildings is depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Inverness-shire, Hebrides, North Uist etc 1881, sheet xxx). Two conjoined unroofed buildings are shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10000 map (1971).
Information from RCAHMS (SAH) 9 April 1997

Settlement consisting of two structures and an enclosure. Two structures shown as roofed on OS 1904, with conjoining bank. Three structures identified on OS 1881. Principal structure 12m x 6m external, standing to c. 4m high at the gable ends; orientated NE-SW. Two windows on SE wall, 1 window on NW wall; door central on SE wall. Cement on walls, which are double-faced. A midden containing ash waste, and warrened by rabbits, lies on south side of structure, up to 15-20m across, and forms a distinct mound. A smaller building lies to the W, also aligned NE-SW. It measures 8m x 4.5m externally, with double-faced drystone walls 0.6m wide standing up to 1.75m high. An entrance 1.5m wide lies on the SE wall. This structure had no definite internal features; much rubble is present. An enclosure extends NW from the principal structure, its boundary demonstrating two phases. A cobble wall 1m wide and standing up to 1.5m high, and defining an nettled interior area of 10m by 14 m, marks its secondary phase, with its NW side aligned with that of the subsidiary building (2.5m to its south). An earlier NW alignment is visible as a curving grassed scarp up to 1m high, extending up to 5m NW of the secondary alignment. Local information recalls that this settlement used to be known as Airigh Mhic Ruairidh. The easternmost structure marked on OS 1881 could not be identified on the ground, and was absent from OS 1904 - it may have stood where the midden now lies.

Andrew Dunwell, 1998, Vallay Strand Project 1995-7 (Unpublished document).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