Monument record 1631 - CRUBISDALE, BARRA

NL69NW 12 centred on 649 988

(previously recorded at NL 648 988)

T220: Crubisdale occupies a sheltered position on the N side of a stream, on a slightly raised platform of land about 40-50m wide, backed by a steep scarp. From its NE corner, a small valley leads off to the N (towards Loch Tangusdale) whilst across the stream to the S, another route passes over a low saddle (towards Nask). Two principal turf-and-stone walls run into the settlement; each stands about 1m high. One runs E-W along the stream, while the other comes up the valley from the N, to meet the stream at buildings G and H. This wall, at least, appears contemporary with the buildings. A third (comparable) wall runs along the N side of the stream from its junction with a tributary up a valley to the W. Further sections of wall (lower and in short lengths) are associated with areas of lazy-bed cultivation on both sides of the stream. The most extensive areas of cultivation still visible are in the SE corner of the area (within the confluence) and to the W of building A, while three small cultivation plots occupy sloping shelves overlooking the W end. Further cultivation may have taken place around the buildings, but was not defined.
The settlement comprises seven buildngs, all but one of which are rectangular with rounded corners:
A (NL 6484 9879): stands adjacent to an area of lazy-beeding and measures 7.3 x 5.4m overall; the walls are 0.8m thick and up to 1m high. The door probably faced the stream, and there may have been a partition to its left.
B (NL 6486 9882): stands at the foot of a steep scarp, into which it is set, and measures 7.3 x 4.9m overall; the walls are 1m thick and stand 1m high at the rear. A platform or terrace (about 0.8m wide) fronts the building and a shepherd's shelter has been constructed within one end.
C (NL 6488 9883): has its long axis pointing to the stream, and its door facing E. Exceptionally, it survives only as foundations, much of the E and W walls having been robbed-out; this may suggest that it was of relatively early date and a source of stone for later construction.
D (NL 6490 9884): stands just E of (C) but almost at right-angles to it. It measures 11.3 x 7.6m overall and has unusually thick walls (1.2 - 1.4m) which survive to a height of 0.7m. The door faces the steams, and there are possible traces of an internal partition to its right. A shepherd's shelter has been built to the right of the entrance.
E (NL 6492 9886): occupies a low rocky knoll in front of (D) and is the most complex of the buildings, comprising four elements. The main building measures 11.2 x 6.3m over walls 1m thick, the doorway facing the stream. On its N, the building is abutted by two walls (about 1.3m thick) which, together with a smaller cross-wall (0.8m thick) form an annexe measuring 6.7 x 6.8m overall; the cross-wall may be an addition to the annexe or the annexe may be earlier than the main building. Abutting the W wall of this N annexe, there is a further wall (6m long) which may have enclosed a small yard.
F (NL 6492 9887): is set on the same knoll as (F) and is of different character to the other buildings of the settlement. It is circular or sub-rectangular on plan, and measures 2.5m across within walls 0.7m thick. Although it could be seen as a store appended to (E), it is both heavily embedded and reduced, and gives the impression of significant antiquity; the possiblity of its being prehistoric or medieval cannot be excluded.
G (NL 6493 9892): belongs with (H) and stands 35m N of (E). The wall that runs up the valley from Loch Tangusdale appears to end at its NW corner, while there is a possible second wall running from its SE corner to the stream. The building measures 7.2 x 4.8m over walls 1m thick and which survive to a height of 0.6m; the doorway is at the NE corner and there is a raised platform at the W. In the centre of this platform, there is a circular hollow into which some wall stones have tumbled; this building is almost identical to T25 (NL69NW 7.38) at Allt Chrisal, and is similarly identified as a drying-shed.
H (NL 6495 9893): occupies a knoll overlooking (G) and 9m from it. A short length of turf-and-stone wall runs from its S wall to end end 1m from the NE corner of (G); this creates a 'yard' between the two buildings, from which a gateway may have given access to the stream. This, the largest building in the settlement, measures 15.6 x 7.1m over walls up to 1.3m thick and 0.8m high; there is a door 0.7m wide in the S wall. no traces of an internal partition can be identified, but a modern shepherd's shelter has been built within the E end and stands four courses high with a small hearth nearby.
It is unclear how many of these buildings were houses and how many were occupied contemporaneously. (G) and (H) form a distinct complex which is defined by the large wall; they are identified as the house and drying-shed of a single family. (E) is seen as a single unit, but may have been linked with (E), with which it appears broadly contemporary, while C may have been robbed for stone to build (E). (A) and (B) may also be seen as a pair, (A) being the main building. On the basis of this interpretation, one may envisage three housing groups (A/B, C/D/E, G and H) with perhaps four households (A, D, E and H) in occupation in the 18th and perhaps early 19th centuries. There is a persistent tradition that the people of Crubisdale built boats there, and, although this appears an unlikely spot, the possibility cannot be excluded.
K Branigan and C Merrony 1995: K Branigan 1995

Seven unroofed buildings, one of which has two compartments, are depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Inverness-shire, Hebrides, Barra etc. 1880, sheet lxiv) and on the current edition of the OS 1:10000 map (1971).
Information from RCAHMS (SAH) 4 June 1997

K and C Branigan and Merrony, 1993, 'The abandoned settlements of Crubisdale and Gortein', 193-5 fig. 6.5 (Bibliographic reference). SWE33324.

K Branigan, 1995b, 'Human settlement on the Tangaval peninsula', 205-7 (Bibliographic reference). SWE33229.