Monument record 11477 - LEWIS, AIRIGH LITE

NB33NE 4 3556 3750

What may be three roofed shieling-huts are depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Island of Lewis, Ross-shire 1852, sheet 19), but they are not 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 3552 3650
Airigh Lite
Shieling group.
Full report lodged with the NMRS.
Sponsor: Dulas Ltd
J Hooper 2001
REPORT DATE: 17/06/2002

B104-107
Airigh Lite, three grassy mounds, containing slight traces of turf/stone shieling huts, with a further possible turf-built structure to the north.
On the OS1st edition map (1849-52), three roofed shieling huts, called Airigh Lite, are shown on the south facing slopes of Beinn Lite. In the Name Book, they are described as 'three shealings on a small patch of rocky heathy pasture', while the name signifies 'the porridge shieling'. By the time the )S 2nd edition map was amended (1895), it appears that no building remains were visible, although the name for the area was retained. The same is true of the current edition (1972) of the 1:10000 map. However, on the vertical air photographs from 1946, there is a faint suggestion of an enclosure within shich two mounds are clearly visible. On the 1989 photographs, four mounds are recognisable within this area.

B104 NB35552 36515
B105 NB 35514 36505
B106 NB 35508 36516
Three distinct turf mounds, with traces of stonework defining shieling huts. B105 is the best defined of the three, suggesting an oval building, c. 2.5m long by 1.5m broad, and aligned NE-SW
B107 NB 35529 36560
To the north of the main group is a possible sub-rectangular turf structure, oriented NW-SE and measuring c. 4.5m by 2m. It has a probable doorway in the centre of the north wall, apparently protected by an L-shaped bank extending out from the north wall.
Hooper 2000, 23

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.