Monument record MWE149893 - Balivanich

18th - 19th century remains of blackhouse and associated structures, such as byres and boundary walls.
Structure 1 and the other structures at the site of Balivanich Primary School have been substantially reduced by removal of stone after their abandonment and prior to their burial under windblown sands. The finds are mostly 18th to 20th century in date and can be viewed as relating to both the usage and post-abandonment of the site. The presence on the 1st Edition OS map of a 19th century township in the vicinity of the excavation area suggests that the remains found here are part of this township. The Ordnance Survey First Edition (1880) depicts the Balivanich township (NMRS NF75SE 27.2; NGR: NF 7739 5525) as containing one roofed, six unroofed buildings and five enclosures within the plots of the crofting township of Dungainachy (NMRS NF75SE 27.01). The remains found during the excavation would fit with the 1st Edition description with a mix of roofed and unroofed structures and field boundaries/enclosure walls.
Amongst the more unsual finds were 5 small cannon balls.

AOC Archaeology Group, EXCAVATIONS OF A POST-MEDIEVAL BLACKHOUSE AND ASSOCIATED STRUCTURES, BALIVANICH, BENBECULA, WESTERN ISLES. (Unpublished document). SWE41208.