The island initially appears made of stone, but timber was used for the basis of the structure. The timber platform is about 23 metres across and was topped with brushwood, established more than 5,000 years ago. According to Dr Stephanie Blankshein of the University of Southampton, quoted in The Independent, the timber structure was a surprising discovery hidden beneath the stone surface.
Around 2,000 years later in the Middle Bronze Age, another development occurred at the site. Similar crannog sites exist throughout the Outer Hebrides. The exact purpose of these artificial islands remains unknown.