At NF 8627 7532 there are the remains of an earth-house in an eroded sandy cliff on the north side of Vallaquie Strand. It is situated approx. 1.7m below the present ground level and consists of an entrance passage 0.6m wide, of which 1.6m of walling is still intact, with a lintel at its west end. The height of the passage is unobtainable due to debris. The chamber, thought locally to be oval and corbelled, seems to be about 2.5m in diameter, with the roof supported by a central drystone pillar. Around the earth-house is a dense scatter of shells, animal bones and potsherds both above and below the earth-house. About 5.0m of walling can be traced in the sand to the west of the entrance, and may be a continuation of the north wall of the passage. Visited 1965. Pottery sherds have been found here previously. This site is as described previously though the coastal edge has eroded substantially leaving a spread of stones down the dune, presumably from the above structure.
22/09/2014
ShoreUPDATE:
Opening of souterrain in seaward side of grassy mound is blocked by large boulders. The souterrain extends northwards beneath a distinct mound, approx. 20m in diameter at the coast edge. There is some indication of a revetting wall on the NW edge of the mound. NO evidence of other material visible in this vegetated and currently stable coast edge.
Location
86270.00
875320.00
27700
57.6580620
-7.2622838
Submitted photographs
Image
Date
Caption
User
22/09/2014
Detail of blocked opening
training1
22/09/2014
Location of souterrain opening in coast edge, looking North
training1
Submitted updates
Update id
Date
User
1819
22/09/2014
training1
Tidal state
Mid
Site located?
Yes
Proximity to coast edge
Coast edge
Coastally eroding?
not eroding
Visibility above ground
Limited visibility (partial remains)
Visibility in section
Limited visibility in section
Access
accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge
don't know
Description
At NF 8627 7532 there are the remains of an earth-house in an eroded sandy cliff on the north side of Vallaquie Strand. It is situated approx. 1.7m below the present ground level and consists of an entrance passage 0.6m wide, of which 1.6m of walling is still intact, with a lintel at its west end. The height of the passage is unobtainable due to debris. The chamber, thought locally to be oval and corbelled, seems to be about 2.5m in diameter, with the roof supported by a central drystone pillar. Around the earth-house is a dense scatter of shells, animal bones and potsherds both above and below the earth-house. About 5.0m of walling can be traced in the sand to the west of the entrance, and may be a continuation of the north wall of the passage. Visited 1965. Pottery sherds have been found here previously. This site is as described previously though the coastal edge has eroded substantially leaving a spread of stones down the dune, presumably from the above structure.
22/09/2014
ShoreUPDATE:
Opening of souterrain in seaward side of grassy mound is blocked by large boulders. The souterrain extends northwards beneath a distinct mound, approx. 20m in diameter at the coast edge. There is some indication of a revetting wall on the NW edge of the mound. NO evidence of other material visible in this vegetated and currently stable coast edge.
