Monument record 492 - TOBAR CHILDA, ST KILDA

NF09NE 9 0995 9955

NF 0995 9955. Among the pre-1830 buildings or vestiges, noted on Macgregor's plan (see NF19NW 15), are 4 or 5 circular foundations which can only best be described as 'hut circles'; and in addition to these, at least another 4 have been identified. These are all generally located close together towards the western end of what must have been the early settlement of Village Bay; and all are above the dry-stone head-dyke, except for two outliers, one c.22m ENE of 'Calum Mor House' (NF 1009 9948), and the other some 165m, ESE beyond that hut (at NF 1022 9942). the main group of 5 or so is at NF 09959955, and others are at 10039958 and 1001 9956.
All these structures are formed by a circle of boulders and small stones 3.5m - 4.0m in diameter, attached to which are small boulder-formed field enclosures. No entrances were noted with certainty. It is also significant that this area is covered with loose boulder scree, not having been cleared for a considerable period. The resulting pattern is reminiscent of a 'Celtic' field system.
Visited by OS (J L D) 7 August 1967.