Cladh Hallan began around 2200 BC as a settlement and fields. Around 1250 BC the small U-shaped house form was replaced by a new type of house, the roundhouse. Roundhouses were built with a low stone wall and a timber roof covered in a thick reed thatch, and the floors were sunk below ground level. A row of probably seven of these roundhouses, one as big as 60 square metres, were constructed at Cladh Hallan.
Archaeologists have excavated three of these roundhouses as well as three other houses built after 700 BC in their vicinity. It was discovered that, in common with other roundhouses of this date from elsewhere in Britain, people's daily activities and indeed life cycles were arranged around the inside of the house in a sunwise (clockwise) fashion. Today you can see the outlines of the terraced row of roundhouses reconstructed in stone in the former sand quarry and, nearby, the remains of the better preserved of the two double-roundhouses (dating to 500 BC).
Check out Uist Unearthed App which brings the roundhouses back to life.
Along the west coast of South Uist is an approx. 20 mile strip of stunning white beaches…
This rather fat looking, sparrow-like bird is found in the area around the cemetery or to…
The Common Twayblade is an orchid which can be found around Loch Thallan.
This rather slim, sparrow-like bird can be found in the reed bed or in small flocks…
Along the west coast of UIst lies around 20 miles of stunning white beaches.
A well-preserved aisled wheelhouse was excavated in 1952 in the machair at Kilpheder…
Common Seals can be found along the rocky areas inshore at low tide.
Along the west coast of South Uist is an approx. 20 mile strip of stunning white beach…
Along the west coast of South Uist is an approx. 20 mile strip of stunning white beach…
Along the west coast of South UIst lies around 20 miles of stunning white beach and…
Along the west coast of South Uist is an approx. 20 mile strip of stunning white beach…
A good area to see this species during the spring and summer.
The machair runs parralell to the beach and a great place to walk.