A fragmentary stone cist, an Iron Age broch and longhouses with varied layouts give Mybster a distinctive cultural and historical focus. Expansive moorland and peatland add a landscape perspective to this view of the past. If, when planning your trip, you want to consider building forms, former uses and the landscape together, you will find several clearly distinct topics here.

Stone Cist, Broch and Grey Stone

The surviving stone cist is a fragmentary structure measuring 2 × 1 metres. In the centre is an area enclosed by stones; around the outside runs a stone ring 0.8 metres wide. It was discovered in 1867 while ploughing by Mr Sutherland of Mybster Inn. Its construction and discovery history complement each other: the measurements describe the surviving form, while its discovery during ploughing records the historical circumstances of its discovery.

Ballone, Mybster, is an Iron Age broch and is protected as Scheduled Monument 521. The Grey Stone is associated with an inherited interpretation. It was formerly known as “Clach Ghlaise” and was split by blasting some years before 1872. The stone appears to be natural; at the same time, tradition has it that it is among the standing stones marking a burial place. Thus, a cautious assessment of its appearance sits alongside an inherited association with a grave.

Longhouses and Changes in Use

The longhouses differ in their dimensions and internal layouts. A separate longhouse in Mybster was approximately 22.25 metres long and 5.9 metres wide, and was divided into two areas. Another measured 11.1 metres long and 5.6 metres wide; it had no internal division. Longhouse MHG19792 had annexes on its north, south and west sides. At the western end of Longhouse MHG19790, a semicircular structure measuring 2.5 metres in diameter may have been a corn-drying kiln.

The Mybster farmstead comprises a 27 × 5 metre longhouse oriented northeast to southwest, a rectangular longhouse mill measuring 21 × 6 metres, and a 17 × 17 metre enclosure made of upright stone slabs. The measurements distinguish the elongated buildings from the square enclosure; the mill is also described as a separate rectangular structure.

The building at Mybster Farm contained a wheel pit for a mill, which has since been filled in. The western area contained a fireplace and was converted into a byre by the installation of cattle stalls. Structural changes are therefore also part of the farmstead’s history: in addition to the floor plans, the mill pit and the conversion of the western area provide evidence of different uses.

Moorland and Getting Your Bearings

Expansive moorland and peatland stretch around Mybster. A short distance north and east of the Mybster crossroads were the former market sites of Spittal, Sordale and Backlass. These places broaden the historical perspective from individual buildings to a former market landscape.

The road connection is also noted for orientation: the B870 meets the A9 at Mybster. The Northern Pilgrims' Way includes a route section at this junction. On Braid 1, the section from Mybster to Spittal follows the busy A9 and requires caution. Check current road conditions before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Staffin, Kinbrace, Watten, Fortrose, Ardersier, Ballachulish, Lybster, Kyle Of Lochalsh.

For the wider travel overview: Highland.