Monument record 755 - A'CHEARDACH MHOR, DRIMORE, SOUTH UIST

NF74SE 9 7569 4128.

The mound, known as a Cheardach Mhor, (The Big Smiddy), at Drimore, was excavated by the Ministry of Works in 1956. Five phases were recognised. Phase I. The Wheelhouse. A long pottery sequence, from the earliest wheelhouse pottery, points to a long tenure of the wheelhouse. Yellow vitreous beads are dated to the 2nd century or a little later.
Phase IA. An occupation which did not extend beyond the wheelhouse forecourt and " cannot be far removed in time from that of the original builders".
Phase II. An occupation which equates with the Galleried Duns in Barra. Phase III. A squatter occupation which may be coeval with the builders of the island duns in South Uist. The closest comparisons are with Dun Cuier (NF60SE 1 ) for which a 5th to 7th century dating has been suggested.
Phase IV. A 7th/8th century date has been assigned to this occupation by the identification of a bronze pin and imported pottery found at this level.
Phase V. An occupation running into late medieval times which produced a sherd dated to c. AD 1600.


(NF 7569 4128) Wheelhouse excavated by Miss Young and Mr Richardson in 1956. This site has no connection with the Ceardach Mhor published at NF 7557 3924, and the name as applied to this site is of doubtful authenticity.
Information from MoPBW to OS.

All that can now be seen at this site are the inner face of the wheelhouse wall, outlined by a single course of stones along its north segment and by an odd stone here and there on its south segment, and eight of the eleven piers; the piers are still visible as either a single continuous course of stones or an intermittent single course of stones. Near the site were several piles of stone deris.
Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS (W D J) 13 May 1965.

NF 75 41 Insular gilt and chip-carved bronze mount of c. 8th-c date, either from belt or harness or something ecclesiastical, presumably used in conjunction with other similar appliques. Evidence for iron rivets is a sign of secondary modification, perhaps Viking. Ext 61mm; Int 47mm. Th 1.2mm. Claimed as Treasure Trove (TT 44/03) and allocated to Mueum nan Eilean.
Bourke 2004, 138

J G Scott, 1956b, Discovery and Excavations, Scotland, 33 (Bibliographic reference). SWE13100.

A Young, 1958b, Antiq J, 92-4 (Bibliographic reference). SWE8435.

A and K M Young and Richardson, 1959-60, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 135-73 plans, illusts. (Bibliographic reference). SWE8439.

D V Clarke, 1971b, Scot Archaeol Forum, 53, No 27 (Bibliographic reference). SWE1066.

PSAS, 1976-7, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 384, No. 3 (Bibliographic reference). SWE8441.

T Fanning, 1983, Some aspects of the bronze ringed pin in Scotland, 325, 334, No. 1 (Bibliographic reference). SWE2007.

Council for Scottish Archaeology, 2004, Discovery and Excavation in Scotland (Bibliographic reference). SWE41193.