Scheduled MonumentsScotlandBalephuil Bay, kelp kilns, Tiree
Kelp kilns, tiree

Balephuil Bay, kelp kilns, Tiree

Scotland
HES SM9048
Site type
Kelp kilns, tiree
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic Environment Scotland

Overview

History & significance

Balephuil Bay is a site containing the remains of kelp kilns located on the island of Tiree in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. These kilns date from the post-medieval period, when kelp production formed a significant economic activity in the Hebrides, particularly during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Kelp, harvested from seaweed, was burned in specially constructed kilns to produce alkali, a substance in high demand for glass-making and soap manufacture. The physical remains at Balephuil Bay comprise stone-built structures typical of kelp kiln construction, representing the industrial heritage of traditional seaweed processing on the Scottish islands.

Balephuil Bay, kelp kilns, Tiree is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM9048. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Balephuil Bay, kelp kilns, Tiree?

Balephuil Bay is a site containing the remains of kelp kilns located on the island of Tiree in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM9048.

Who is responsible for protecting Balephuil Bay, kelp kilns, Tiree?

Balephuil Bay, kelp kilns, Tiree is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM9048.

What other scheduled monuments are near Balephuil Bay, kelp kilns, Tiree?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including St Patrick's Chapel, Ceann a' Mhara, Tiree (0.3 km), Eilean na Ba, fort, Rinn Thorbhais, Ceann a' Mhara, Tiree (0.6 km), Dun nan Gall, fort, Ceann a' Mhara, Tiree (0.7 km).

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