Report of Archaeological Desktop & Walkover Survey Aberchalder, Invergarry, Highland

Report of Archaeological Desktop & Walkover Survey

Aberchalder, Invergarry, Highland.

Centred NH 254/043

Client: UPM Tilhill

By Stuart Farrell B.A A.I.F.A F.S.A.Scot. November 2010

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Acknowledgements

3. Objectives

4. Survey Results

5. Conclusions

6. Archive

7. Discovery and Excavation

8. References

Non-Technical Summary

Stuart Farrell was commissioned by UPM Tilhill in October 2010 to undertake an archaeological desktop and walkover survey for an area of proposed forestry at Aberchalder, Invergarry, Highland.

Work revealed archaeological sites in an area of steep slopes and outcrops of bedrock with no evidence for any human habitation.

No recommendations have been made in relation to the proposed scheme.

2 1. Introduction

This report is for an archaeological desktop and walkover survey conducted for UPM Tilhill for a block of proposed forestry at Aberchalder, Invergarry, Highland.

The walkover survey was conducted on the 17th November 2010.

2. Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the following for their help during the work: - Mr. Phil DiDuca of UPM Tilhill; - Mr. E Rutter, for help with walkover survey; - Staff of the Highland Council Archives, Inverness.

Stuart Farrell 39a Park Street Nairn Highland IV12 4PP

4 Figure 2 – Site Location 1:10,000 (A3). © UPM Tilhill

5 3. Objectives

To conduct a desktop and walkover survey to record any archaeological features to the block of proposed forestry. This survey to follow those guidelines as proposed by the Institute of Field Archaeologists (IFA, 1999); and those of the Forestry Commission (FC, 1995).

4. Archaeological Survey

Desktop Results A desktop survey was conducted using the following sources: - Highland Council Historic Environment Records; - National Monuments Record of Scotland, Edinburgh; - National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh (Maps); - Local archives.

The area of proposed forestry is of 224 hectares on a south-facing slope with areas of steep ridges, as evident by close contours shown on figure 1 with the ground rising sharply to 400m/1200ft above sea-level rising towards 1506ft just outside the centre of the scheme at Meall nam Fairneag.

Map coverage was limited to the area of interest, as the 1st edition OS of 1873 was almost the same as the 2nd edition of 1904 and little survey work has been carried out in detail in the 20th century, with the next edition being 1971. Early historical maps of the area do not provide enough detail for the area of forestry. Roy’s military map of Scotland 1745-55 shows 3 settlements to the South close to the loch side (Named Achlochrach, Altrinich and Thingryill) none of these are in the area of proposed forestry, and of these only the first one Achadh-luachrach is shown on the 1st edition OS map of 1873. The first and 2nd edition OS maps show only open ground for the area of proposed forestry. Later maps of 1971 and 1992 show only steep ground with outcrops of bedrock with close contours.

No archaeological survey work has previously been conducted to the proposed area of forestry. In the wider area work by Headland Archaeology Ltd for the Millennium Wind Farm (situated to the North) revealed 4 possible cist structures to the NE of the scheme centred at NH 2934/0790 but no features were otherwise recorded to the rest of the area of the windfarm which was surveyed in 2003. To the West work again by Headland Archaeology in 1997 (Lowe & Dalland, 2007) revealed a number of structures situated close to the loch side.

An enquiry to the RCAHMS re Aerial photographs for the area of proposed forestry noted that the area had very limited coverage and what was available was too high to be of any use.

Currently no archaeological sites are to be found in or close to the proposed forestry block in either CANMORE/PASTMAP or Highland Council HER.

A walkover survey conducted on the 17th of November 2010 revealed site to be a south-facing hillside of grass and heather and stone outcrops, with natural hillocks of peat and a number of burns, with a small river through the centre of the scheme. No evidence for archaeological activity was located.

6 5. Conclusions

Overall the site is on a south facing slope of steep slopes with outcrops of bedrock (see plates 1-4), with no evidence of prior human habitation. Map evidence and existing archaeological work show a pre-dominance of sites to be situated close to the loch side, and it is likely that this is were archaeology is and has been concentrated.

No recommendations for any further work are to be currently proposed.

6. Archive A copy of this report is to be deposited in the National Monuments Record of Scotland in Edinburgh.

7. Discovery & Excavation in Scotland A short summary of the results of this project will be submitted to the Council for Scottish Archaeology’s publication Discovery & Excavation in Scotland.

8. References

Forestry Commission (1995) Forests & Archaeology Guidelines. Forestry Commission. Edinburgh.

Hatherley, C (2007) Millenium Windfarm, Glenmoriston, Highland. Unpublished report by Headland Archaeology Ltd. Report held by HSMR EHG 1532.

Highland Council Historic Environment Record.

IFA (1999) By-laws, Standards and Policy Statements of the Institute of Field Archaeologists. Reading.

Lowe, C & Dalland, M (1997) Pre-Afforestation Survey – Faichemard, Invergarry, Inverness- shire. Unpublished report by Headland Archaeology Ltd. Report held by HSMR EHG 204.

National Monuments Record of Scotland CANMORE/ PASTMAP database.

Maps Consulted

Roy’s Military Map of Scotland 1745-55 – NLS. Ordnance Survey 1st edition 6inch-mile sheet 82 Inverness-shire of 1873 surveyed 1871. Ordnance Survey 2nd edition 6inch-mile sheet 82 Inverness-shire of 1904 revised 1901. Ordnance Survey maps NH20NW, NE, SW 7 SE of 1971 1:10,000 revised 1969. Ordnance Survey maps NH20NW, NE, SW 7 SE of 1992 1:10,000. ------

7 Plate 1 – View of site facing E.

Plate 2 – View of site facing W.

8 Plate 3 – View of site facing N.

Plate 4 – View of site facing W.