ARCHAEOLOGISTS have described as “extra special” the discovery of the remains of an early butchery site and stone tools used for preparing food at a submerged prehistoric forest in the Western Isles.

The Scottish Coastal Archaeology and the Problem of Erosion Trust (Scape), based at St Andrews University, was alerted to the remains on Benbecula, which sits between North and South Uist, by a local resident.

Research fellow Joanna Hambly told the BBC: “We don’t know how old the remains are yet, but have submitted samples for radiocarbon dating.

“When they have been processed, we will review what further research could be done at this fantastic site or at similar sites. This will involve the local community, who will also have a critical role in monitoring the site for further exposures along this eroding and dynamic coastline.”