Monument record 462 - CARNAN A' GHRODHAIR, LEWIS

NB56SW 1 5116 6396.

(NB 5116 6396) A souterrain was found during the last war during the construction of a Home Guard gun emplacement or look-out post.
When digging the foundations the workmen struck a flagged floor with a large stone in the middle which, when removed, revealed a passage-way leading down at an angle a distance of some 20 to 30ft before opening out into a beehive cell about 6 or 7ft high [entered by Stuart). About 35ft east of the emplacement there was a slight de- pression with possibly a few stones in it, which seemed to mark the site of the cell. (Information contained in letter from R A Stuart, Canada to OS, 2 April 1968)
Smith (Information contained in letter from W Smith, OS revisor to OS August 1956) also explored the passage and chamber but states that the passage was 10 to 12ft long. The chamber was probably about 8ft in diameter, partly blocked by rubbish and stones.

The entrance to this souterrain, within the look-out post, is almost fully blocked with rubbish, making access to the chamber impossible. The passage, however, can still be seen through a gap, leading downhill in a NE direction. There are no surface traces.
Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS (A A) 18 June 1969.

An unevenly smoothed ball of orthocite found in this souterrain in 19 42 is now in Glasgow Art Galleries and Museum (Acc No: A 8616).
A Foxon 1986.

'The monument...comprises of an underground chamber or souterrain of late prehistoric date. The area to be scheduled is circular and measures a maximum of 30m in diameter centred on the entrance of the souterrain, to include the souterrain and an area around in which traces of contemporary settlement may survive.'
HS Scheduling Document 21 May 1992.

A Foxon, 1986b, Discovery and Excavation, Scotland, 46 (Bibliographic reference). SWE14633.