Monument record 6912 - Bagh an Acair

The earliest structural element within this settlement complex appears to have been a denuded rectilinear structure with rounded corners measuring 8m N-S by 4m within double-faced boulder walls c. 1m wide and up to 0.4m high (A). This structure has been heavily robbed for subsequent constructions, and is partly obscured beneath a secondary structure (E). It's entrance could not be located, but must have been through its W wall. It is not recorded on OS 1881, and was probably denuded prior to this. A square enclosure (B) measuring c. 12m across internally appears to have been attached to building (A), it's N side springing from the W wall of A and it's E wall from the SE corner of A. At the latter junction enclosure B abuts building A, demonstrating B as a secondary construction. A gap towards the E end of the S wall defines an entrance into enclosure B.
A building measuring 12m by 3m internally (C) was subsequently built into the W end of enclosure B by the construction of N-S partition wall to form its E wall. Building C has walls of double-faced boulder construction with squared corners, and an entrance on the E wall adjacent to the SE corner. Within the building a boulder foundation up to 0.6m wide and 0.3m high runs east for 2m from the centre of the W wall before returning south for 2m. C is recorded on OS 1881 as abandoned. A rubble spread within enclosure B abutting the external SE corner of C appears to be a collapsed bothy(D).
A secondary rectangular structure (E) measuring 4m by 1.5m internally and orientated E-W has been inserted within A. It's walls stand up to 1.5m high, and its S wall is incomplete; combined with the small size of the structure this evidence suggests that it was no more than a temporary shelter. It is not recorded on any of the examined map coverage.
In summary the following sequence is proposed:
1) Construction of building A
2) At the same time, or subsequently, construction of enclosure B
3) Construction of building C within enclosure B; A possibly abandoned and robbed.
4) Construction of building E within A, with material robbed from A or B, probably after 3) and abandonment of site as permanent settlement.
5) Construction of bothy D after 3), post-dating abandonment of settlement.
Dunwell 1997

Andrew Dunwell, 1998, Vallay Strand Project 1995-7 (Unpublished document).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