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Notes on
the Route
Loch Boralie and the Plantaion area including
the golf course is designated sssi. This
area from the coast inland is an area rich in archaeology. At
Aodann
Mhor (The Edens) there was a farming township until the early 17th century.
This was
swept away by the third Lord Reay, chief of Clan Mackay, when he remodeled
his lands at Balnakeil. Along the wall separating the
headland from the fields can be seen the runrigs, the long narrow
cultivation strips which were created at this time.
On a small, precarious headland the faint traces of a monastic cell
can be seen.
This was associated with the 8th century monastery at
Balnakeil.
Seanachaisteal (The Old Castle)
is the remains of a promontory fort, probably of iron age date
and reputedly destroyed by Vikings in 1265. Led by King Hakon, the
Vikings were on their way to defeat by the Scots at the Battle of
Largs, bringing to an end Norse domination of the Western Isles. While
they were here they burnt twenty townships in the immediate area. The
most obvious feature of the fort is the defence ditch. Along the Geodha Brat,
kelp was cut at low tide in the late 18th, early 19th century , dried
on the beach and then burnt. The ash was an important ingredient in
several industries, especially soap and glass. The industry collapsed
when cheap foreign imports became available in the 1820Ős. Seaweed
was also collected here for manure for the crofts.
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