Monument record 8621 - Cnip, Uig, Isle of Lewis

NB03NE 56 0988 3634

See also NB13NW 4 and NB03NE 55

Centred at NB 0987 3632 are large deposits of midden material, mainly shells, but amongst which sherds of coarse pottery were picked up during field investigation. This is the area of Lacaille's settlement, but beyond a few set stones which are probably the amorphous remains of two of his hut-circles, there is little trace of it.
The modern belief that bones in the middens denote burial places, may account for the tradition of graves in the area.
Visited by OS (RL) 28 June 1969

no.20
A substantial mound c. 35m norht-south by 20m east-west, by c. 2m high, lies immediately east of the road across Cnip headland. This mound is rectilinear and flat-topped with signs of stone structures at various points along its surface. It merges into the hillside to the north end and stands highest at its south end. Numerous stones are visible in the mound sides and top. It contains several surface hollows mostly full of weed growth. Some of these may relate to recent disturbance. There is local information that the mound was planted with potatoes several years ago. The surrounding area was certainly used for this purpose until the mid 1980s.
The sides of the mound were undergoing severe rabbit damage during the 1992 survey. Much loose sand was being case up from these burrows. Stone and stained sand was visible in several of the burrws. This disturbance was most concentrated at the south and east end of the mound. There is no local knowedge of any structure having stood here.
Armit 1992, 49

61: NB 0987 3634
Settlement mound
This settlement mound was identified by Armit 1994, and is becoming increasingly prone to erosion due to increase in rabbit activity. Site stable but potentially sand deflation could set in if rabbist scrapes big enough
Burgess & Church 1996, 35

Ian Armit, 1992, Archaeological Field Survey of the Bhaltos (Valtos) Peninsula, Lewis (Bibliographic reference). SWE41031.

Christopher Burgess and Michael Church, 1996, Uig Landscape Survey: Interim Report 1 (Unpublished document). SWE41181.