Monument record 11476 - LEWIS, AIRIGH GARVAIG

NB33NE 3 3636 3548

What may be six roofed shieling-huts are depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Island of Lewis, Ross-shire 1852, sheet 19). What may be the location of nine shieling-huts are shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10000 map (1972).
Information from RCAHMS (AKK) 24 September 1997.

An archaeological assessment was undertaken in advance of a potential windfarm development at Beinn Mholach and Arnish Moor. A total of 29 areas (over 100 individual sites) of archaeological remains were identified, most of which relate to post-medieval shieling practice, lazy bed cultivation, peat cutting, and to the 19th and 20th-century use of these upland areas. The proposed windfarm development involves two areas of peat moorland in the centre of Lewis. (GUARD 891).
NB 3640 3548
Airigh Garvaig
Shieling group.
Full report lodged with the NMRS.
Sponsor: Dulas Ltd
J Hooper 2001
REPORT DATE: 17/06/2002

B044-057 NB 3640 3548
Airigh Garvaig, ten unroofed shieling huts, plus a number of mounds probably representing earlier turf built huts.
On the OS 1st ed. Map (1849-52), six roofed shieling huts, named as Airidh Garbhaig, are shown adjacent to a burn running north-south from the lower, south-facing slopes of Meannan into the allt Garbhair. On the OS 2nd edition amp (1895), two unroofed buildings which appear to correspond to the two most southerly structures shown on the earlier map, are depicted. On the modern 1:10000 map (1972), a scatter of nine building is shown. Ther vertical air photographs from 1946 and 1989 would suggest that there are in fact thirteen, and possibly more, mounded structures in this area.

B044 NB 36291 35503
A rectangular building, with a rounded southern gable, aligned NE-SW and lying towards the eastern side of this group. It measures 4m long by 1.5m broad. It has opposing entrances and a cupboard in the NW wall.

B045 NB 36343 35530
B045 is almost identical to B044 in size and shape and is also aligned NE-SW. It has a possible fireback against the southern gable

B046 NB 36392 35515
A shieling hut measuring c. 5m long by 2m broad, its walls still standing to 1.5m high on the north side. Like B055, this buildin has a straight southern gable, making it rectangular (rather than boat-shaped) internally. It is aligned NE-SW and has opposed entrances 0.5m wide towards the southern end of its long walls.

B050 NB 36481 35487
a rectangular shieling hut, terraced into the top of a prominent mound and aligned NE-SW. It measures c. 4m long by 1.5m broad, over walls up to 0.5m high and 0.5m wide. There is a definite entrance in the SW corner and another probable entrance in the opposite wall, slightly further to the north.

B052 NB 36476 35439
In contrast to the other structures in the group, this hut was almost circular in form, measuring c. 3m by 2.5m. It was constructed of turf and stone and appears to be much earlier in form. There is a probable entrance on the south side.

B053 NB 36394 35410
This shieling hut follows a similar pattern to the others in the group, although its dimensions of c. 3m by 1.5m make it one of the smallest> It has cupboards in the NE gable and in the NW wall.

B054 NB 36357 35403
The state of preservation of this shieling suggests I, like B052, is of more rounded form than the other structures in the group. In all other respects it is very similar to the rest, measuring c. 4m long by 2m broad, with walls still standing to a height of 1.2m in places. It runs NE-SW downslope.

B055 NB 36363 35441
Located south of B056, this shieling hut has a straight southern gable, producing a rectangular rather than a boat-shaped hut. It measures c. 4.5m long by 2m broad and is aligned NE-SW

B056 NB 36359 35463
Located south of B057, this shieling hut is again of very similar form to the others in this group, although it appears not to have been as well constructed. It measures c. 4m long by 2m broad and is aligned NE-SW

B057 NB 36339 35486
this building lies to the south of B044 and B045 and is very similar in form, although it is slightly larger in size, measuring c. 5m long by 2m broad. It is well preserved, its walls standing to c. 0.8m in height, and it is aligned NE-SW

B047 NB 36396 35494
B048 NB 36420 35470
B049 NB 36445 35491
B051 NB 36499 35457
To the north-east of the main group, there are four low mounds, distinguishable by their circular form and the greenness of their vegetation in comparison to the surrounding marshy ground. The most prominent of the four, B049, seems to have traces of a slight, pear-shaped enclosrue taking up all the level ground on its crest, an area c. 5m x 5m. The enclosure is represented by an earthen bank, only 0.1m high and c. 0.5m wide where it is most clearly defined on the NE side.
During the walkover survey, a large square area of cleared and improved ground to the east of Airigh Garvaig stood out from the surrounding moorland. It appears to be unenclosed and is not recognisable on the aerial photgraphs. However, it is likely to be the result of human activity associated with this shieling group.
Hooper 2000

Also listed in J Hooper 2001, 104

Janet Hooper, 2000, Lewis: Project 891 (Bibliographic reference). SWE41076.

Council for Scottish Archaeology, 2001, Discovery and Escavation in Scotland (Bibliographic reference). SWE41185.