Photographic Survey, Evaluation at Eabost, Skye

An archaeological survey and watching brief was undertaken at Eabost, Isle of Skye. During the survey the remains of three upstanding archaeological remains were recorded in their current condition and the evaluation sought to characterise and record the structure by excavating five trenches over the recorded features. The recorded archaeology, in combination with documentary evidence, indicates that Structure 1 was the first structure on the site and was depicted on the 1st edition map surveyed between 1873 and 1874. By the time of the 2nd edition map surveyed in 1902 the inner enclosure had been built as well as Structure 2, a small square structure believed to have been a store. Sometime after this the outer enclosure and annex of the inner enclosure were built. The features found on Structure 3 during the survey as well as the level of preservation would seem to indicate that the structure was built during the first half of the twentieth century. The ephemeral nature of the walls recorded to the west of the site may indicate that the site may have an even earlier date. Evidence of structures being replaced over time within a site is typical in rural areas in the Highlands and Islands and is particularly evident on the islands of the west coast of Scotland.