• project ref : 011

• location : Badachro River (east) & Allt a’Ghiubhas

• grid ref : centred on NG 788 710

• category : multi-period farming landscape with BA/IA roundhouses and pre-improvement farmstead

• features : roundhouses, buildings, field systems, enclosures, walls, banks

This map below shows the distribution of all the features around this area for reference. However, the main focus of this survey is at locations D, E & F.

This is a multi-period landscape with some features dating from the Bronze Age & Iron Age, and a relatively modern pre-improvement farmstead (early 1800s).

There are 14 roundhouses shown on the map, some with associated field systems.

Not all would have been occupied at the same time and some may have been used for storage.

Assuming each occupied roundhouse had an extended family of about 12 individuals, the population of the Badachro area at this time in the BA and IA was possibly around 120.

The pre-crofting farmstead has four buildings and is situated on a dry, well-drained, raised bank next to the river. Two of the buildings are more substantial and have a better construction. Two smaller buildings have a crude construction and could be earlier. They may have been robbed to build the other two.

Despite the many enclosures, there is not much evidence of rig & furrow cultivation. Perhaps the land was used mainly for the rearing of livestock (sheep, goats or cattle).

Summary of locations:

A 7 roundhouses around An Tòrr

B 3 roundhouses around Cammassie Burn

C 1 roundhouse and enclosure beside Lochan Fuar

D farmstead of 4 buildings and several enclosed fields at, and south of Doire nan Eala

E 3 roundhouses and enclosed fields at Creag nam Braid, Coille Mhòr & Bad a’ Challa

F 1 roundhouse and at least 1 enclosure (perhaps more)