Monument record 8254 - Coilleag

E 301:
This blackhouse is situated on a platform, the surrounding vegetation is short grass, the land is used as sheep grazing area. It is orientated from north-east to south-west and measures 10.3 x 5.9 metres. However, it is divided into different areas. The biggest room measures 4.3 x 5.9 metres and has a doorway at its southern corner. The dry stone walls are still 1 - 1.60 metres high, and mortar is visible on top of some parts of the wall. A much smaller room is situated in front of the main room, on its south-western side, and measures 3.5 x 3.2 metres. It has a doorway in the north-eastern corner of its inner short wall. The walls of this small structure are much lower and mostly covered with turf. Another structure is visible in front of the two rooms. Its short wall continues in the line of the western wall of the main structure for 2.50 metres. The other wall runs parallel to the long wall of the main room and also measures 5.90 metres. The surviving remains of this structure are nearly completely covered with turf.
Interpretation: It seems that the two rooms are overlying an earlier structure, which is still visible as the nearly completely turf-coverd remains of a wall. This remains are consequently older than the main structure of this house. The mortar is suggesting a later date, probably Crofting, while the doorway in the corner of the room is indicating an earlier date, probably Medieval or Post Medieval. The most likely possibility is that this house was early in date, but than later re-used, the mortar probably helped to stabilise a roof (it is only seen on the top of the walls).

Tessa Engelbrecht, 2000, The Archaeology of Eriskay (Bibliographic reference). SWE41025.