<< Sites under Threat >> Souterrains on Skye - Avoiding a long, pointless walk
Submitted by LizH on Wednesday, 07 September 2005 Page Views: 12506
Iron Age and Later PrehistoryCountry: Scotland County: Isle of Skye Type: Souterrain (Fogou, Earth House)Internal Links:
However, these are not always easy to find and an archaeologist excavating on Skye suggested to me that some may have been filled in or destroyed by landowners who do not wish them to be visited.Others are simply very difficult to find, especially in summer, when the bracken is high.
From a couple of recent visits, I believe that the following may still be the case – the sign post to the Ullinish souterrain (at NG 334 385) seems to have disappeared, the Claigan souterrain (NG 238 539) appeared to have been made deliberately difficult (impossible) to reach by the landowner, and we were advised not to visit the Allt Na Cille souterrain at NG 539 141 by an archaeologist because it may have been ‘hidden’ or destroyed.
The route recommended by the tourist board to the Tungadal souterrain at NG 404 401 was impassable (although on the way we may have passed one at NG 383 389). The Tungadal souterrain is apparently (we didn’t get there) attached to a building terraced into a hillside which may have been a Bronze age house. It has been excavated and preserved. Again, we were advised that the archaeologist involved used the route through the forest, (probably beginning at the path NG 390 349) not the tourist recommended route by the river Amar, through Glen Bracdale and by Loch Duagrich. We did not have time to make this expedition after having attempted the advised route, but although it is much further, it is probably worth it.
However, the good news is the finding and excavation / restoration of a souterrain at Kilvaxter, NG389 696. It is not currently marked on maps but is easily to find just off the A855 road north of Uig. While there is as yet no signpost there is a fenced car park with a gate on the east side of the road which is easy to see even in the rain.
The souterrain is perhaps 50 yds from the road. It is about 20 metres long in an S shape, with a gravel floor which is probably not original? and some restoration has obviously been done. There is a chamber to the left of the entrance and a step at the end of the passage. The entrance is perhaps 1 metre high although it rises to stooping height shortly afterwards. The lintels were superb. It was well worth a visit, although a torch is essential as it is still completely covered. On a rainy day it was damp, but on our second visit, a fine day following rain, the chamber floor was completely flooded from three feet in so if you want to walk all the way down, wellies may be needed.
Note: This report of a visit to Souterrains on the Isle of Skye seems to show that a number of them are in danger, or have been damaged or obstructed.
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Wir möchten mehr über diese Stätte erfahren. Bitte zögern Sie nicht, eine kurze Beschreibung und relevante Informationen in Deutsch hinzuzufügen.
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