Monument record 13579 - SOUTH BAGHASDAL, LOCH AN EILEAN, South Uist

NF71NW 27 7465 1691

(NF 7465 1691) Loch an Eilean, South Baghasdal. Artificial or modified island, or 'low cairn crannog'. A relatively flat central platform drops down at roughly 45° to the loch bed. A well-preserved 20m causeway extends to the NE of the island, up to 40cm below water level
The surface of the island is roughly circular, around 30m in diameter, and contains the remains of two structures. The eastern structure is D-shaped, with an entrance in the flat side, facing NW. Its internal dimensions are 5 x 4m, with walls around 1m wide and up to 1.75m at the highest extent.
The other structure is rectangular, but is squashed in at its corners to fit it on the island. It is 11 x 6m, with walls 1m wide, and is constructed of large flat stones placed on their sides, creating a solid well-built appearance, unlike most surviving blackhouse walls.
A sub-rectilinear structure is located near the land side of the causeway, on the other side of a knoll.
Sponsors: Universities of Glasgow and Sheffield, King Alfred's College.
J A Raven and M Shelley 2003

REPORT DATE: 21/02/2005