Monument record MWE150156 - Eilean Nam Marbh

NB 53596 31114 Eilean nam Marbh is a steep sided little stack, roughly 20m high and slightly less than 20m2 in summit area. Access is relatively difficult, requiring a c20m climb. A vertical fissure only 5m wide separates it from the mainland of Lewis and an arch would have been present at some time.

‘Eilean nam Marbh seems to mean the Island of the Dead, marbh being Gaelic for dead’ (Dr Finlay Macleod, pers comm). It is situated to the N of Bayble bay. The name Bayble, or Paible in Gaelic, has Early Christian connotations. Upon the summit plateau which measures 20 x 15m and gently slopes towards the S or seaward side, lie the low and partially grassed-over remains of a substantial 16 x 7m sub-rectangular structure, which originally had dry stone (faced?) walls c2m thick, lying with the long access perpendicular to the slope.

The northernmost wall of this structure runs along the landward edge of the stack, creating the impression of a

defensive wall, although when examined closely it does not run the length of the chasm and seems to be part of the structure described above. What may have been a small 2m diameter circular cell appears to have been superimposed at the E end of the main structure. There are no other distinct remains although the large quantity of tumbled stonework may well disguise further archaeological remains.

Only c30m away is Eilean a’ Chaise. The interpretation of this site’s name is not certain but ‘steep island’ seems to be the most sensible translation, on the basis of a visit which suggested that access would require rock climbing directly from a boat. The name is pronounced with a short ‘a’ (thus spelt ‘caise’) referring to steepness or twisting, cas being an adjective meaning steep.

Mark Elliot, Carol Knott, Finlay Macleod and Ian Mchardy, 2008

The stack was accessed in May 2008 by I. McHardy, C. Knott, and M. Elliot of Museum nan Eilean for a preliminary archaeological assessment. It was immediately clear that there were well-preserved archaeological deposits and some structural elements on the summit of the stack. The deposits comprised apparent occupation debris including shell midden material, animal and fish bones, burnt deposits, stone objects and pottery. Most notable were fragments of a ceramic vessel impressed with a ring-headed pin, dateable to the Iron Age or early Medieval period. The material collected on that occasion was taken to Museum nan Eilean, where it remains to date.
Carol Knott March 2017.

A similar ceramic sherd with ring pin impression decorations was recoved from the Early Christian chapel site SMR.422 in 1955.It was dated by Stevenson between the 7th & 10th centuries.
A Young 1955; R B K Stevenson 1955.
K.Murphy (Archaeologist CnES)