Surveyed May 13, 1996

NGR: NR 42542 68833

This artificial island is located 30m SW of the present shoreline of Loch nan Deala and 26m NE of the loch’s former shoreline. The site was accessed from the SW shore by a 3m wide causeway of large boulders who’s tops were, on average, 0.5m below the upper platform of the artificial island. The water surrounding the site would have been roughly 1m in depth, with deeper 1.5-2m water located behind the site to the NE.
The 0.8m long and 40cm wide timber previously noted by the RCAHMS was re-discovered protruding from the top of the causeway, 3m from the edge of the islet. The timber was firmly embed in the stone rubble and appeared to be part of the islet’s structure. The timber was sampled and discovered to be (Oak) and submitted for radio carbon dating.
The artificial island is a roughly circular shaped mound of stone, measuring 24.5m in diameter at its base, which has been largely covered by turf and peat. The visible stone appears to be well rounded and of this 80% is too large to be manuvered by a single man. The summit of the site is crowned by a fairly level, oval shaped platform, measuring 20m N-S by 16.5m E-W, which stands 1m above the surrounding lochbed. The S edge of this platform is enclosed by a 10.2m long wall of large stones, 0.5m thick and 0.5m high. This walling degrades to tumble at either end and may be the remains of a perimeter wall. The E half of the upper platform is occupied by the foundation remains of three round-angled buildings previously described by the RCAHMS.