(Gill, Mary and myself taken by Louise Muir)
YesterdayI was very lucky to be able to join Gill the RSPB archaeologist as she had alook around a few of the reserves many sites of interest. It was great to get adifferent view of the landscape and find out what some of the mysterious pilesof stones and earthen circles actually are. The weather was relatively helpful(unlike Gill’s trip to the Oa!) and even the sun managed to make an appearance.Not only did we get to see some of the islands history but several snipe, twohen harriers, a sparrowhawk, a pair of chough and a flock of twenty or so verybold chaffinches.
(Gill and Mary stood at An Sidhean taken by Amy Cooper)
This hut circle shown above is one of the best examples of its kind in Scotland and dates back to around 1200 BC. There are plenty of others dotted about the reserves and the rest of Islay too. Once you have your eye tuned in it gets easier to pick them out! It’s difficult to say exactly what life would have been like for the people that lived here over 2000 years ago apart from they were some of the first farmers. They would have planted simple crops and grazed livestock.
An Sidhean can be seen from the road between Loch Gorm and Loch Gruinart. There is a small layby and an interpretation post.
(Archaeology at Smaull taken by Amy Cooper)
Thank you to Gill for answering our many many questions.