More information : (NZ 65310708) "A" Excavation by R Close at Gin Garth, an
enclosed two roomed (thatched?) building, which until recently was
still standing. The building is mentioned in 1656 (a) and is supposed
to have been a smugglers' hide-out in the 19th century.
Close exposed the walls of two rooms, the eastern had a stone-built
hearth (or corn drying kiln?) Pottery found included a tankard dated
1720 and mediaeval pottery which might go back to the 15th to 16th
century. (NZ 65290711) "B" A bloomery to the NNW may date to
mediaeval times and could be earlier than the Enclosure. It comprises
kiln and furnace with stone platform. (1)
The enclosure of 'Gin Garth' is formed by a partially
collapsed dry stone wall of comparatively recent date. Only the
footings of the building survive and they include a small oval
hearth which seems to be an unlikely corn drying kiln. Two small
heaps of iron slag flank the bloomery which is otherwise as
described. Surveyed at 1:10 000. (2)
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