Monument record 92 - CNOC AN AOIL, LEWIS

NB03SE 6 0649 3309.

At NB 0649 3309 at the head of a secluded gully, is an unusual construction consisting of a slightly curved dry-stone passage about 3.0m long, covered with massive stone lintels, which leads eastwards into a natural rock chamber. The keeper at Uig Lodge discovered ashes in the floor of the chamber whilst exploring the structure ten years ago. It is connected within by a narrow, now impassable, fissure, to another natural chamber which can be observed through a partially covered hole in its roof about 8.0m to the SW of the lintelled passage. It is in such a secluded position that it suggests a mediavel or later hiding place or refuge.
Surveyed at 1/10,000 scale.
Visited by OS (R L) 1 July 1969.

NB 0649 3309 Two stone tools were found in Cnoc An Aoil cave. A smooth beach cobble stone, 16.5 x 14.5 x 7cm, weighing 2.74kg; one end broken, with possible hammering adjacent, and the other end roughened by hammering. Flat and polished on one face. Found lying loose on the floor of the main cave along with angular rock fragments.
A smooth beach cobble, 13.8 x 8.7 x 6.8cm, weighing 1.5kg; the thinner end rubbed to a blunt chisel point and the thicker end hammered rather than rubbed. Found in a void under a loose boulder 10m SW down the gully from the subterranean structure.
Curtis and Curtis 1998, 105

Council for Scottish Archaeology, 1998, Discovery and Excavation in Scotland (Bibliographic reference). SWE41173.