Achnacarry Commando Camp
Achnacarry, Spean Bridge
Archaeological Evaluation
Final Report
Ryefield Farm Tore Ross-shire IV6 7SB Scotland Mob: 07891 578998 / 07776 027306 Ph: 01463 811310 [email protected] www.rossandcromarch.co.uk
Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Achnacarry Commando Camp
Achnacarry, Spean Bridge
Archaeological Evaluation:
Final Report
Client Lochaber Archaeological Society
National Grid Reference NN 1776 8786 (centred)
Site Code ACH14
Report Number 2014-17/ACH14
Author L. Fraser, M. Peteranna
Illustrations M. Peteranna
Date 08-06-2014
Approved by M Peteranna
Date 08-06-2014, rev. 27-2-15
OASIS No. rosscrom1-180991
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CONTENTS
List of Figures 4 List of Plates 4 Acknowledgements 4
Summary 5
1.0 Introduction 5 1.1 Background 1.2 Aims and Objectives 7 2.0 Site Location
3.0 Archaeological and Historical Background 7
4.0 Methodology 10
4.1 Archaeological Evaluation 4.2 Survey
5.0 Results 13
5.1 Archaeological Evaluation 14 5.2 Survey 20
6.0 Discussion 22
7.0 Conclusion 23
References 24
Appendices
Appendix 1 List of Contexts 25
Appendix 2 List of Small Finds from the Evaluation 28
Appendix 3 List of Site Plans 31
Appendix 4 List of Photographs 32
Appendix 5 List of Metal-detector Finds from the 2014 Lochaber 35 Archaeological Society Surveys
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List of Figures
Figure 1 Location of Achnacarry Castle 6
Figure 2 Location of the shooting butts, guard room and find spots 9
Figure 3 Plan of the north-western shooting butt, showing trench locations 12
Figure 4 Historical map of CBTC 13
Figure 5 Section drawing of Trench 1 15
Figure 6 Plan of Trench 2 18
Figure 7 Plan of the guard room 21
Figure 8 Overall distribution of metal-detecting finds at Achnacarry 43
Figure 9 Close-up plan 1, distribution of metal-detecting finds at Achnacarry 44
Figure 10 Close-up plan 2, distribution of metal-detecting finds at Achnacarry 45
Figure 11 Close-up plan 3, distribution of metal-detecting finds at Achnacarry 46
Figure 12 Plan of Achnacarry from 2014 Survey, showing the location of metal- 47 detecting finds
List of Plates
Cover Excavation of a shooting butt at the walled garden
Plate 1 Achnacarry Castle in the hands of the CBTC 7
Plate 2 Asphalt drill square at Achnacarry 8 Plate 3 Opposed landing training at Achnacarry 8 Plate 4 The mounds against the garden wall 11 Plate 5 Trench 1 after the initial cleaning back after extension 11 Plate 6 Trench 1 showing the sandbags in context (1.03) 14 Plate 7 Trench 1 showing the timber after the trench was extended 16 Plate 8 Trench 1 showing earlier and later timbers 17 Plate 9 .45 bullets and cartridges 19 Plate 10 .303 cartridges and 9mm bullet 19 Plate 11 The possible guard room 22
Acknowledgements
Fieldwork was conducted by Lynn Fraser and Mary Peteranna assisted by members of Lochaber Archaeological Society. We would like to thank Robert Cairns and the Lochaber Archaeological Society for commissioning the work. Ordnance Survey mapping is reproduced by permission of Landmark Information Group under RoCAS licence LIG1044. Mapping containing Ordnance Survey data is subject to Crown Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. Licence number 100022432. Photographs from the CBTC period are copyright © Commando Veterans Association 2006 – 2014 and reproduced under the Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. This is an unpublished report.
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Summary
An archaeological evaluation of a WWII-era shooting butt adjoining the northwest-facing wall of the walled garden at Achnacarry Castle, Achnacarry, Spean Bridge, was conducted on behalf of Lochaber Archaeological Society (LAS) on 8th and 9th May 2014.A slot trench was excavated through the shooting butt allowing the stratigraphy to be recorded and conclusions drawn as to its phases of use. Numerous and various bullets were recovered during excavation. In addition to the work, a rapid survey was conducted of a previously unidentified building foundation located to the southwest of Achnacarry Castle. The site, which was fully exposed and recorded, is thought to have been the site of a guard room.
The appendices of this report also include a plan of Achnacarry from a survey commissioned by LAS, location plans of metal-detector finds from the 2014 surveys conducted by LAS and data lists of the group’s metal-detector finds.
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background
An archaeological evaluation and survey was undertaken on 8th and 9th May 2014 at the site of the former Commando Basic Training Camp (CBTC) located on the grounds of Achnacarry Castle, Achnacarry, Spean Bridge (Figure 1). The work was requested by Lochaber Archaeological Society as part of its project to highlight the pivotal role that Achnacarry Estate and other parts of Lochaber played in the wartime training of 25,000 elite troops. The purpose of the archaeological evaluation was to assess one of a pair of shooting butts located next to the northwest-facing wall of the walled garden belonging to Achnacarry Castle. During the wartime period, the site, which formed part of the CBTC training grounds, had contained targets used for shooting practice. The purpose of the building survey was to record the location and extent of what was thought to be a former guard room (Figure 2). Little else remains visible on the grounds of the other temporary buildings that constituted the training camp.
1.2 Aims and Objectives
The aim of the archaeological evaluation and survey was to allow the full nature and extent of the shooting butt and building foundation to be identified and recorded. The results of the fieldwork will form part of, and contribute to, the findings of Lochaber Archaeological Society’s metal-detecting survey in the area. The specific objectives were:
• To establish the presence or absence of archaeological remains within one of the mounds on the northwest-facing wall of Achnacarry Castle’s walled garden • To establish whether the bullet strike marks visible in the wall above the mound continued below the surface of the mound • To remove by hand any overburden in order to expose the archaeological deposits • To record and excavate all features and recover any artefacts • To make recommendations for post-excavation work, if required • To plot the location of the building foundation • To produce a plan and description of the building foundation
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Figure 1: Location of Achnacarry Castle
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2.0 Site Location
Achnacarry Castle is located at approximately Ordnance Survey National Grid Reference (NGR) NN 1768 8796 (Figure 1), about 15 miles northeast of Fort William, Lochaber. The castle sits on the southwest bank of the River Arkaig to the southeast of Loch Arkaig flanked by mountainous terrain. The shooting butt site is located 180m east of Achnacarry Castle at NGR NN 17879 87974 on the northwest side of the ruinous walled garden. The guard cell site is located 85m SW of Achnacarry Castle at NGR NN 17563 87933.
The underlying geology is psammite and semipelite of the Achnacarry Striped Formation overlain by glaciofluvial sheet deposits of gravel, sand and silt1.
3.0 Archaeological and historical background
Achnacarry Castle has been the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan Cameron since about 1655 when the original castle was built by Ewen Cameron, XVII Chief. This original structure was burnt to the ground on 28th May 1746 following the defeat of the Jacobite army at the Battle of Culloden. The construction of a new ‘castle’ was started in 1802 by Donald Cameron, XXII Chief of Clan Cameron, in the ‘Scottish Baronial’ style and finally completed in 1837 by his son Donald Cameron, XXIII Chief2.
During World War II, Achnacarry was handed over to the British military and the Commando Basic Training Centre (CBTC) was established (Plate 1). The CBTC was regarded as one of, if not the, finest of all the Allied special training centres established during the Second World War. Not only were soldiers and marines of the British forces trained there, but also those from the USA, France, Holland, Belgium, Poland, Norway and, surprisingly, some of the ‘Free Germans’. Volunteers from the Royal Navy and the Royal Airforce were also trained there.
Plate 1 Achnacarry Castle in the hands of the CBTC; note the Nissen huts in front of the house.
1 British Geological Society 2014 2 Clan Cameron Online 2010
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For the construction of the CBTC, the castle grounds were transformed. Nissen huts with corrugated sides and roofs were erected in the immediate vicinity of the house. These huts surrounded a drill square of hard asphalt, which replaced the lawn (Plate 2). Each accommodation hut housed between twenty-five and forty men and other buildings included dining halls, wash rooms and the NAAFI canteen3.
The first recruits arrived for training in March 1942 and, by the time the camp closed in 1946 more than 25,000 men had passed through its gates. The training was tough. A recruit’s introduction to the camp was the 7mi hike from Spean Bridge railway station to the castle, which culminated in walking past a long row of graves marked by white crosses bearing a board giving the name, number, rank and cause of death of the deceased. Much of the training consisted of agility and strengthening exercises and learning the drills and skills of tackling obstacles. Assault training was carried out in various forms, but all involved the use of live ammunition. Trainees carried out mock attacks (Plate 3) that were met with an arsenal of weapons manned by an army of instructors skilled in the art of shooting to miss – but not by very much4.
Plate 2 The asphalt drill square surrounded by Nissen huts
Plate 3 Opposed landing training at Achnacarry: the recruits would face live fire from instructors skilled in shooting to miss.
3 Commando Veterans Association 2014 4 Ibid
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Figure 2: Location of the shooting butts, guard room and find spots
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4.0 Methodology
All fieldwork was conducted in accordance with Highland Council’s Standards for Archaeological Work 5 and the Institute for Archaeologists’ (IfA) Code of Conduct6.
4.1 Archaeological Evaluation
The purpose of the archaeological evaluation was to confirm the use of the mounds located against the northwest wall of Achnacarry Castle’s walled garden (National Grid Reference NN17879 87968) as shooting butts, to record the stratigraphy of the mounds and any features within them and to recover any finds of archaeological interest. All on-site recording was carried out according to standard IfA procedures, using written records and drawn plans.
Due to the presence of trees growing on the north-eastern mound (Plate 4), it was decided that only the south-western mound would be investigated. Two hand-excavated trenches were situated on the south-western mound. Trench 1 was positioned on the top of the mound, contiguous to the garden wall, and measured 1.6m x 1.0m. A perpendicular extension was added on day two of the evaluation, which measured 2.6m x 1.0m and extended to the south- eastern extent of Trench 2 (Figure 3; Plate 5). Trench 2 was located at the base of the mound and measured 1.4m x 1.0m. It was extended by 0.6m x 0.2m to fully expose some pieces of timber.
A programme of sieving and metal-detecting was conducted on the spoil removed from Trench 1. All artefacts recovered were identified, labelled and recorded.
4.2 Survey
There is no longer any trace of the majority of the buildings used by the CBTC. However, during previous work on the site, the Lochaber Archaeological Society had found a building foundation to the southwest of Achnacarry Castle and, based on an historical map of the camp (Figure 4), had interpreted it as a former guard room.
The purpose of the building survey was to accurately record its position, extent, character and condition. The overburden of leaf mould was removed by hand. The foundation was then photographed and planned and its location plotted. Two significant CBTC find spots from the Lochaber Archaeological Society’s metal-detecting survey of the grounds around Achnacarry Castle were also plotted.
5Highland Council 2012 6 Institute for Archaeologists, 2012
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Plate 4 The mounds situated against the north-western wall showing the trees growing in the north-eastern mound
Plate 5 Trench 1 after its extension, showing the structural timber beam at the front of the mound
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Figure 3: Plan of north-western shooting butt, showing trench locations
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Figure 4: A plan of the CBTC drawn by a Forestry Commission engineer in the 1940s showing the guard room marked7
5.0 Results
The fieldwork was conducted over two days, 8th and 9th May 2014, during generally fine weather. The work was carried out with the assistance of members of the Locahaber Archaeological Society.
7 Plan supplied by Robert Cairns, Lochaber Archaeological Society
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5.1 Archaeological Evaluation
Trench 1
Trench 1 was laid out on the top of the north-western mound and measured 1.6m x 1.0m. The trench was positioned against the garden wall below an area of damaged brickwork, the cause of which was deemed to have been strike damage from gunfire, to investigate whether the damage continued down the wall behind the mound.
Beneath the turf layer, a layer of redeposited soil (1.02) contained glass and pottery sherds with scattered bullet rounds and casings. The material represented soil brought to the mound as a backfilling event when the structure went out of use. After removal of this overburden, the remains of hessian sandbags were revealed in the next layer (1.03) (Plate 6). This layer consisted of dark brown soil with mixed sand-soil patches and fragments of hessian, together with a high concentration of bullets. The hessian fragments were indicative of sandbag remains, suggesting that there had been a sandbag-topped mound of soil just in front of front of the garden wall that caught many of the bullets fired at a target in front of the wall. It was noted that the stonework damage did not extend down the garden wall (Plate 6).
After the initial evaluation, a perpendicular trench measuring 2.6m x 1.0m was excavated to the edge of Trench 2. Due to time constraints, the entirety of this trench was not excavated to ground level (Figure 5), although the main objectives of the evaluation were able to be fully met within the partial section.
Plate 6 Trench 1 showing the remains of sandbags in context (1.03) (displaying as bumps in the trench), together with pieces of hessian at the right- hand end of the horizontal scale.
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SE NW
Figure 5: Section drawing (facing SW) of Trench 1 showing the two phases of the shooting butt
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The section excavated through the mound revealed that the soil layer on top of the mound (1.02) continued to its base. This confirmed the interpretation that this material derived from a backfilling event with the underlying layers forming two phases of construction of the shooting butt (Figure 5; Plate 8). Hessian fragments, sand layers (1.07) and metal sheet fragments within a mixed soil fill comprised the deposits associated with the second phase of the structure. This phase of the mound stepped down from the top layer (1.03) to the base of the mound, where it was supported by a cobbled edge and timber beam (1.12). The timber beam, which continued across the mound to the north-eastern edge of the butt (Figure 3), may have formed part of a structure to support a shooting target in addition to providing structural support for the mound, with the cobbles forming a revetment along the base of the structure (Plates 7 and 8). The mixed sand and soil layers and hessian fragments throughout context (1.04) suggested that sandbags, which had been filled with a sand-soil mixture, formed additional support behind the beams.
The second phase mound material overlay a soil layer (1.09) that appeared to have been a spread of soil brought in during construction of the mound and a mid-dark brown gritty soil containing glass and iron objects with scattered bullets on the surface (1.13), interpreted as being an exterior ground surface with bullets from the first phase of the mound. The soil layer represented by Context 1.15 is the surface on which the second phase shooting butt was constructed. Interestingly, below the layer interpreted as the first phase ground surface (1.13), a partial section revealed a charcoal-flecked layer (1.14). Surprisingly, this indicated the presence of another archaeological horizon below the shooting butt.
Plate 7 Context 1.12, the structural timber as it first appeared after the initial cleaning back following the extension of Trench 1.
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Phase 1
Phase 2
Plate 8 SW-facing section through the mound showing the phases of construction; the structural timbers and cobble stones, context 1.12, can be seen jutting out of the trench section towards the front base of the mound in the foreground. The first phase timber beam (1.16) can be seen to the right of the scale pole in the centre of the picture.
The first phase of the shooting butt structure (Figure 5) comprised a mound supported by a timber beam base (1.16) layered with sand bags (1.07). The primary mound surface of this phase (1.08) comprised mixed soil and sand layers containing shattered brick fragments from the garden wall and a high concentration of bullets. Interestingly, at the base of this layer, at the interface with context (1.17), a small post- or stake-hole (1.10) was revealed. This may have contained the post for a sign or target. This layer (1.17) was not excavated.
The partial section down the front of the first phase mound revealed different layers (1.05- 1.06) containing significant concentrations of bullets. Comprising gritty soil fill, these two contemporary layers represent the front of the mound into which bullets struck during firing – differentiated only by the location of the bullet concentrations and possibly representing the different positions from which firing was conducted during training.
The sheer concentration of bullets in layers 1.05 and 1.06 represented a distinctly separate event from that represented by the concentration of bullets in the later layer 1.03 (Figure 5). This evidence confirmed the use of the site during at least two separate phases.
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Trench 2
Trench 2, measuring 1.4m x 1m, was positioned at the base of the mound to investigate the possible location of a shooting target in front of the mound. The soil layer below the turf (2.02) contained a scattering of bullets, nails and a piece of glass and pottery. The deposit covered the remains of five fragments of timber (2.03), one with a bullet embedded in it, and a piece of timber with a large iron nail in the northeast corner of the trench. The trench was extended by 0.6m x 0.2m to fully expose the timber (Figure 6). The timber fragments were interpreted as remains of a possible target base.
Figure 6 Plan of Trench 2 showing the timbers.
The Finds
As would be expected from excavating a shooting butt, the majority of the finds recovered during the evaluation were used bullets. These were concentrated in contexts 1.03 – 1.06 with smatterings in contexts 1.02, 1.13 and 2.02. All of the bullets were spent, with the exception one 9mm cartridge from context 1.04, which was complete and live and subsequently dismantled.
The bullets, which were assessed by firearms specialist Neville Collier, fell into five distinct types: v .45 Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP) bullets v .455 bullets v .38 bullets v .303 cartridges v 9mm cartridges
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The .45 ACP bullets (Plate 9) were copper-jacketed and used in the Colt 1911 Government Model semi-automatic pistol and the Thompson sub-machine gun, better known as the ‘Tommy Gun’. Both these weapons were of US manufacture. They were reliable, effective firearms and were used by the Commandos because they were very ‘fit for purpose’.
The .455 bullets were made from lead and used in the .455 Webley service revolver of British manufacture. This was also a reliable and effective firearm.
The .38 bullets were used in a Smith & Wesson, or a Webley revolver used by some of the British Forces. This was not a very effective bullet and was not favoured in battle conditions.
The .303 cartridge (Plate 10) was the standard issue for most British and Commonwealth Forces rifles and machine guns. It was a useful and effective cartridge, firing a 175 grain copper-jacketed bullet.
9mm cartridges (Plate 10) were used in many German and Continental semi-automatic pistols. The well-known models are the PO8 Luger and P38 pistol. The British-made Sten Gun and Browning pistol also used this calibre and was ‘fit for purpose’8.
A small number of .22mm pellets and a 12-bore shotgun cartridge were also recovered, which relate to post-war activity in the area.
Plate 9: .45 bullets (left) and .45 cartridges (right) recovered from Trench 2.
Plate 10: .303 cartridges (left) and a 9mm bullet (right) recovered from Trench 2.
8 Collier pers. com. 2014
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Also assessed were the timbers uncovered in Trench 2, together with several nails recovered in the same place. These remains were interpreted as having formed part of a wooden structure in front of the shooting butt that would have supported a target mechanism. It is most likely that these timbers had fallen out of an in situ structure (1.12) located in Trench 1 during a period of deterioration or destruction once the shooting butt had gone out of use.
Other finds included miscellaneous pieces of metal, pieces of pottery and glass and a top from a McEwen’s of Edinburgh beer bottle.
5.2 Survey
Guard Room
The building foundation was located to the southwest of Achnacarry Castle on the northwest side of the access road. Based on an historical plan (Figure 4), it was thought to have been a guard room used by the CBTC. The location of the foundation was plotted and photographic and drawn records and details of the structural remains were recorded.
As part of the survey, the overburden of leaf-mould on the building foundation was removed by hand. During this process a flag-stone that had not previously been visible was uncovered abutting the south-southwest wall suggesting that this was the location of the building’s entrance. This interpretation is supported by the fact that a doorway in this position would have afforded a view of the driveway to the castle and the accommodation huts beyond. A small slot trench was dug out at the north corner so that the depth of the foundation could be ascertained.
The foundation was rectangular and aligned northwest-southeast (Figure 7; Plate 11). It measured 6.07m x 5.0m x 0.3m deep and was constructed from a sand-rich concrete-type material. Its construction suggested that a pre-fabricated structure had been erected on it. The northeast and southwest sides each had a slot, 0.04m deep and 0.14m wide, running almost their entire length. The northwest end had a slightly raised ‘bar’, 0.16m wide, running almost its entire length. The southeast ‘entrance’ end had two slightly raised ‘bars’, again 0.16m wide, either side of the probable door or doors.
The foundation was, overall, in good condition, although the flagstone was broken at its south-eastern end. This may have happened during the dismantling or destruction of the building as the break was well-weathered.
No finds were recovered during the clearance of the overburden or slot excavation. A corroded nail was found in the mature tree close to the southern corner of the building, but it is not possible to say whether this relates to the CBTC period or later activity.
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Figure 7: Plan of the guard room foundation
Find Spots
At the request of the Lochaber Archaeological Society, two findspots from their metal- detecting survey were also plotted in (Figure 2). Toy soldiers, forks, spoons and live ammunition were located at Findspot 1 and forks, spoons, parts of a webbing belt, leather pouch and personal items were located at Findspot 2.
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Plate 11 A view of the guard room foundation looking SSE towards the driveway to Achnacarry Castle and the location of the mock graves
6.0 Discussion
Despite the limited amount of time available to carry out the archaeological evaluation and survey, and the keyhole nature of the excavation, the objectives put in place at the outset of the project were fully achieved.
It had been mooted that the mounds against Achnacarry Castle’s walled garden were shooting butts dating to the period of occupation of Achnacarry Estate by the CBTC. This theory was attributed to historical photographs of the site and the damage to the walls above both mounds, thought to be from strike damage from target practice. Trench 1 proved that the south-western mound was indeed a shooting butt, and that it had had two distinct phases of use as shown by the distribution of the bullets in distinct layers separated by intermediate layers.
It is not possible to state exactly how the first phase shooting butt was constructed, as the section was not fully excavated due to time constraints. However, it can be surmised that the initial butt was either built from a mound of earth surrounded by sandbags or a stack of sandbags, which was fronted by a timber beam structure that may have held a target. This theory is supported by the large quantity of spent ammunition found in contexts (1.05) and
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(1.06) directly behind the timber structure. The post-hole uncovered on the top of this butt most likely also held the post for a sign, as there was no strike-damage on the wall above the first phase mound.
The distribution of bullets has not made it possible to differentiate a date for the two phases of the site. It is likely that the original shooting butt deteriorated over time through use by increasing numbers of trainees to the camp, resulting in a second butt being constructed. Soil and sandbags were piled in front of, and on top of, the original structure, with a new timber beam inserted to support a target. This structure had river cobbles along its base for further support. The strike-damage on the wall is restricted to the area visible above the second phase mound and is most likely due to the target being missed.
The building foundation was fully surveyed and recorded. It would appear to have supported a pre-fabricated structure. Although it is located in the vicinity of the guard room marked on the historical map, no finds were recovered during its clearance, which would assist in the interpretation of the building’s former use. It is not, therefore, possible to give a definitive interpretation of its use.
7.0 Conclusion
The evaluation at Achnacarry Castle is a good example of how ‘keyhole’ type excavation can recover the optimum amount of information from a small area in a limited amount of time. The proof that the mound was indeed a shooting butt, and the information gained from the stratigraphy on the two phases of use, has provided a valuable addition to the corpus of knowledge on the CBTC. The survey results of the building foundation and the find spots have also augmented the record.
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References
British Geology Survey, 2014. Accessed on 4 June 2014 at http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html
Clan Cameron Online, 2010. Achnacarry. Accessed on 4 June 2014 at http://www.clan- cameron.org/achna.html
Collier, N., 2014. Member of Lochaber Archaeological Society. Letter dated 31st May 2014.
Commando Veterans Association, 2014. Commando Training. Accessed on 5 June 2014 at http://www.commandoveterans.org/CommandoTraining
Highland Council, 2012. Standards for Archaeological Work. Inverness: Highland Council: Planning and Development Service
Highland Council Historic Environment Team, 2014 Highland Historic Environment Record (HHER). Http://her/highland.gov.uk
Institute for Archaeologists, 2012. By-laws of the Institute for Archaeologists: Code of Conduct: Reading, IfA
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Appendix 1 List of Contexts
Plan / Context Fill Filled Feature Type Description Under Over Finds Section Interpretation No. of by No. No. 1.01 Turf Turf and leaf litter - - - 1.02 - - S1 Turf Dark brown claggy soil with small stones and 1.03, Upper soil layer of shooting butt 1.02 Deposit gravel; scattered - - 1.01 1.04, - - S1 no. 1 - backfill layer when glass, pot and some 1.07 structure went out of use rounds Mid-brown/orange gritty, sandy soil at the Transition layer between the 1.04, 1.03 Deposit base of 1.02; contains - - 1.02 - - S1 sand bags and upper soil layer - 1.08 high concentration of abandonment level rounds 1.05, Intermediate soil layer - part of Mid-dark brown gritty 1.08, 1.04 Deposit - - 1.02 - - S1 second phase of use of shooting soil 1.12, butt 1.13
Dark brown, gritty, Fill from primary layer of 1.04, 1.06, 1.05 Deposit sandy soil with - - - - S1 construction of shooting butt, 1.08 1.09 numerous bullets contemporary with 1.06
Mid-dark brown gritty Fill from primary layer of 1.07, 1.06 Deposit soil with numerous - - 1.05 - - S1 construction of shooting butt, 1.16 bullets contemporary with 1.05
1.04, Layer comprising mostly sand Light brown-yellow 1.02, 1.07 Deposit - - 1.12, - - S1 within hessian fragments - sand soily sand 1.06 1.16 bag fill
Mixed mid brown soil and sand layers Mixed sand and soil with containing brick 1.03, 1.05, hessian fragments throughout, 1.08 Deposit - - - - fragments and high 1.04 1.09 probably sand bag fill from concentration of second phase of shooting butt rounds
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Plan / Context Fill Filled Feature Type Description Under Over Finds Section Interpretation No. of by No. No. 1.05, 1.08; Secondary construction layer for Mid-dark brown gritty 1.09 Deposit - - 1.04, - - - S1 shooting butt mound second soil 1.07, phase- redeposited soil 1.12 1.08, Posthole or stakehole - sign or 1.10 Cut Cut for small posthole - 1.11 1.09 - - - 1.11 target post?
1.11 Fill Dark brown-black soil 1.10 - 1.08 1.10 - - - Fill of posthole - not excavated
Front lower timber beam with compact 1.02, 1.09, Front edge of the butt, second 1.12 Structure line of cobbles forming - - 1.04, - - S1 1.13 phase of use the front edge of the 1.07 butt
Mid-dark brown gritty Partially excavated - probably soil with glass and iron 1.04, primary phase exterior ground 1.13 Deposit - - 1.14 - - S1 objects, scattered 1.12 surface with rounds from bullets on surface primary phase
Charcoal-flecked mid- Archaeological horizon (not 1.14 Deposit brown sandy, gritty - - 1.13 - - - S1 excavated) of unknown period soil
Probably contemporary with Mid-brown gritty soil 1.09, 1.15 Deposit - - - S1 1.13, topsoil in front of shooting with small stones 1.13 butt
Timber beam within Front edge of the butt, first 1.16 Structure 1.07 - - - S1 bank phase of construction
Part of the primary phase of Mid-dark brown gritty 1.17 Deposit - - 1.08 - - - S1 construction and use of the soil shooting butt - not investigated
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Plan / Context Fill Filled Feature Type Description Under Over Finds Section Interpretation No. of by No. No.
2.01 Turf Turf and leaf litter - - - 2.02 - - - Turf
Dark-mid brown loam with approx. 20% Upper level of butt - similar to, or 2.02 Deposit - - 2.01 - - - 1 gravel. Some tree same as, 1.02 roots.
Six pieces of wood measuring from 0.20 - Structural remains of second 0.60m, one with a 2.03 Structure - - - - 2.03 - 1 phase of shooting butt - part of bullet within and 1.12 another with an iron nail. Within 2.02
Humic layer of leaf 3.01 Deposit - - - 3.02 - - 3 Leaf mould mould
Rectangular, concrete-type base for Base for a wooden or 3.02 Structure a building. Measures - - 3.01 - 3.02 - 3 corrugated iron structure. 6.07m (NNW-SSE) x Possible guard room. 5.00m x 0.30m deep.
Sub-rectangular paving stone measuring 0.6m wide Paving stone suggesting the x 0.55m long at its 3.03 Structure - - 3.01 - 3.03 - 3 position of the entrance to the longest point - building irregular edge suggests it has been broken
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Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Appendix 2 List of Small Finds from the Evaluationa
Find Context Approx. Material Phase Description and Notes Initials Date No. No. Dating .455 pistol cartridge case - rimmed 1941- 1 2.02 Metal - NC 08/05/2014 case from revolver 1945 .45 Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP) 1941- 2 2.02 Metal - rimless cartridge case - made by NC 08/05/2014 1945 Remington 1941- 3 2.02 Metal - .45 ACP - unknown make NC 08/05/2014 1945 1941- 4 2.02 Metal - 6 x .45 ACP bullets NC 08/05/2014 1945 1941- 5 2.02 Metal - 4 x .303 rifle cartridges NC 08/05/2014 1945 3 x .303 cartridges - corroded away 1941- 6 2.02 Metal - NC 08/05/2014 at the neck 1945 .38 bullet - used in British Army .38 1941- 7 2.02 Metal - NC 08/05/2014 revolvers 1945 .303 corroded copper jacket from 1941- 8 2.02 Metal - NC 08/05/2014 bullet 1945 9mm bullet found between pieces 1941- 9 2.02 Metal - NC 08/05/2014 of timber 1945 1941- 10 1.03 Metal 2 .303 bullets NC 08/05/2014 1945 1941- 11 1.03 Metal 2 2 x 9mm bullets NC 08/05/2014 1945 1941- 12 1.03 Metal 2 .38 revolver bullets NC 08/05/2014 1945 1941- 13 1.03 Metal 2 group of .45 ACP bullets NC 08/05/2014 1945 Post-WW 14 1.03 Metal 2 .22 bullet NC 08/05/2014 II Post 15 1.02 Metal 2 4 x .22 bullet NC 08/05/2014 WWII 1941- 16 1.02 Metal 2 .303 blank cartridge case (fired) NC 08/05/2014 1945 1941- 17 1.02 Metal 2 3 x 9mm bullet NC 08/05/2014 1945 4 x .45 ACP bullets and bits of 1941- 18 1.02 Metal 2 NC 08/05/2014 bullets 1945 1941- 19 1.03 Metal 2 Bullet embedded in brickwork NC 08/05/2014 1945 1941- 20 1.03 Metal 2 Remains of hessian sand bags NC 08/05/2014 1945 1941- 21 1.02 Metal 2 .38 revolver cartridge case NC 08/05/2014 1945
.455 cartridge case - most probably 1941- 22 1.02 Metal 2 NC 08/05/2014 from a British Webley revolver 1945
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Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Find Context Approx. Material Phase Description and Notes Initials Date No. No. Dating 1941- 23 1.02 Metal 2 .38 revolver bullet NC 08/05/2014 1945 1941- 24 1.02 Metal 2 .455 bullets - hollow base, lead NC 08/05/2014 1945 1941- 25 1.02 Metal 2 9mm bullets NC 08/05/2014 1945 1941- 26 1.02 Metal 2 .45 ACP bullets NC 08/05/2014 1945 Post 27 1.02 Metal 2 .22 bullets NC 08/05/2014 WWII 1941- 28 1.02 Metal 2 Deformed bullets NC 08/05/2014 1945 1941- 29 1.03 Metal 2 .303 case NC 08/05/2014 1945 19-20th 30 1.02 Metal - Pieces of pottery NC 08/05/2014 century Piece of green glass approx. 20th 31 1.04 Glass 2 6.5cmx2.5cm and marked W.M. YR NC 09/05/2014 century (Younger) 1941- 32 1.04 Metal 2 7 x .45 ACP bullets NC 09/05/2014 1945 9mm cartridge (complete and live 1941- 33 1.04 Metal 2 NC 09/05/2014 when found - dismantled) 1945 2 x .303 cases - marked G.B 1943 1941- 34 1.04 Metal 2 NC 09/05/2014 .303 VII 1945 1941- 35 1.04 Metal 2 .303 bullet NC 09/05/2014 1945 1941- 36 1.04 Metal 2 Pieces of bullet copper jackets NC 09/05/2014 1945 1941- 37 1.04 Hessian 2 Piece of hessian sand bag NC 09/05/2014 1945 1941- 38 1.04 Metal 2 9 x nails (layer at timber beam) NC 09/05/2014 1945 Metal / Wood with .45 ACP bullet 1941- 39 2.02 - NC 08/05/2014 wood embedded 1945 1941- 40 2.02 Metal - .45 ACP bullet NC 08/05/2014 1945 Metal / Wood with .45 ACP bullets 1941- 41 2.02 - NC 08/05/2014 wood embedded and nails 1945 Metal ring - copper and brass 1941- 42 1.13 Metal - NC 09/05/2014 approx. 6.25cm in diameter 1945 Piece of green glass - old beer 1941- 43 1.13 Glass - NC 09/05/2014 bottle 1945 1941- 44 1.06 Metal 1 15 x .45 ACP bullets NC 09/05/2014 1945 1941- 45 1.06 Metal 1 .455 lead bullet NC 09/05/2014 1945
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Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Find Context Approx. Material Phase Description and Notes Initials Date No. No. Dating 1941- 46 1.06 Metal 1 .303 bullets NC 09/05/2014 1945 Ferrous metal disc approx. 2.5cm 1941- 47 1.05 Metal 1 NC 09/05/2014 in diameter 1945 1941- 48 1.05 Metal 1 22 x .45 ACP bullets NC 09/05/2014 1945 McEwen Edinburgh beer bottle 1941- 49 1.05 Ceramic 1 NC 09/05/2014 screw top 1945 1941- 50 1.06 Metal 1 9 x .45 ACP bullets NC 09/05/2014 1945 1941- 51 1.06 Glass 1 Brown glass - bottle bottom NC 09/05/2014 1945 1941- 52 1.06 Glass 1 Green glass from beer bottle NC 09/05/2014 1945 1941- 53 1.05 Metal 1 9 x .45 ACP bullets NC 09/05/2014 1945 1941- 54 1.05 Metal 1 3 x .38 revolver bullets NC 09/05/2014 1945 Post 55 1.03 Metal - .22 bullets NC 08/05/2014 WWII 1941- 56 1.02 Metal 2 28 x .45 ACP bullets NC 08/05/2014 1945 3 x 5" nails, 2 x 3" nails (from E 1941- 57 2.02 Metal - NC 08/05/2014 corner on plan) 1945 1941- 58 1.02 Metal 2 .38 revolver cartridge case NC 08/05/2014 1945 Base of 12 bore shotgun cartridge Post 59 1.02 Metal - NC 08/05/2014 marked 12 ICI WWII 1941- 60 1.02 Metal 2 .455 bullets - hollow base, lead NC 08/05/2014 1945 Cardboard wad (placed over the 1941- 61 1.02 Paper 2 NC 08/05/2014 cordite in .303 cartridges) 1945 1941- 62 1.03 Metal 2 .38 revolver bullet NC 08/05/2014 1945 1941- 63 1.03 Metal 2 70 x .45 ACP bullets NC 08/05/2014 1945 1941- 64 1.03 Metal 2 4 x .38 revolver bullets NC 08/05/2014 1945 1941- 65 1.03 Metal 2 .45 ACP bullet NC 08/05/2014 1945 1941- 66 1.03 Hessian 2 Pieces of hessian sand bag NC 08/05/2014 1945 67 1.02 Metal - Old metal brackets Unknown NC 08/05/2014 19-20th 68 1.02 Ceramic - Fragments of pottery NC 08/05/2014 century
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Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Appendix 3 List of Site Plans
Plan Section Feature Direction Contexts Date Initials Scale Comments Number Number Number (facing)
2.02, 1 2.03 08/05/2014 LF 1:20 - Post-ex plan 2.03
Plan of butt 1 showing the 1.10, 2 1.1 09/05/2014 LF 1:40 - position of 1.12 trench 1 and extension
Plan of the base 3.02, 3 09/05/2014 LF 1:20 - of the possible 3.03 guard room
1.01- WSW-facing 1.12, S1 1.09, 09/05/2014 MKP 1:10 WSW section of trench 1.16 1.11-1.17 1 and extension
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Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Appendix 4 List of Photographs
Direction Feature Taken No. Notes Date facing No. by
Pre-excavation shot showing the bullet damage on the 1 SE - NNW face of the garden wall behind butt 1 (E side of the LF 08/05/2014 door)
Pre-excavation shot of shooting butt 1 on the E side of the 2 SE - LF 08/05/2014 door to the walled garden Pre-excavation shot of shooting butt 1 in the foreground 3 ENE - LF 08/05/2014 and butt 2 in the background Pre-excavation shot of butt 1 with part of butt 2 showing 4 SSE - LF 08/05/2014 on the left of the picture
5 E - Pre-excavation shot of shooting butts 1 (right) and 2 (left) LF 08/05/2014
Pre-excavation shot of shooting butts 2 (foreground) and 6 S - LF 08/05/2014 1 (background) Close-up of the bullet damage to the wall behind butt 1 7 SE - LF 08/05/2014 (pre-excavation) 8 NE - Exposed profile on butt 2 (W side of the door) LF 08/05/2014 9 SE - Close-up of the damage to the wall behind butt 2 LF 08/05/2014 Post-excavation shot of trench 2 at the base of butt 1 10 SE - LF 08/05/2014 showing pieces of timber from the target structure Post-excavation shot of trench 2 at the base of butt 1 11 NE - LF 08/05/2014 showing pieces of timber from the target structure Post-excavation shot of trench 2 at the base of butt 1 12 NW - LF 08/05/2014 showing pieces of timber from the target structure Close-up of two of the timber pieces in trench 2 - the 13 SE - LF 08/05/2014 piece in the foreground as a bullet in situ 14 SE - Close-up of the timber in trench 2 LF 08/05/2014 Mid-excavation shot of trench 1, located at the top of the 15 SSW - LF 09/05/2014 butt mound below the bullet damage
Mid-excavation shot of trench 1 showing the lack of 16 E - damage in the wall face uncovered and the remains of LF 09/05/2014 sandbags (mounding visible)
Mid-excavation shot of trench 1 showing the remains of a 17 SE - sandbag on the left side and pieces of hessian below the LF 09/05/2014 right-hand end of the pole 18 NE - Close-up shot of the pieces of hessian LF 09/05/2014 Mid-excavation shot of trench 1 showing the mounds 19 SW - LF 09/05/2014 indicating sandbags 20 SE - Mid-excavation shot of the trench 1 extension LF 09/05/2014 Mid-excavation shot of the trench 1 extension showing 21 SE - LF 09/05/2014 structural timbers in the foreground
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Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Direction Feature Taken No. Notes Date facing No. by Mid-excavation shot of the trench 1 extension showing 22 SE - LF 09/05/2014 structural timbers in the foreground 23 SE - Close-up of the structural timbers in trench 1 extension LF 09/05/2014 24 E - Mid-excavation shot of the trench 1 extension LF 09/05/2014 Mid-excavation shot of trench 1 showing a sandbag in 25 ENE - LF 09/05/2014 profile beneath the horizontal pole Shot of a small post-hole (feature 4) to the right of the 26 SE 4 MKP 09/05/2014 20cm scale in trench 1 27 SE 4 Close-up of the small post-hole MKP 09/05/2014 28 SE - Post-excavation shot of trench 1 extension MKP 09/05/2014
Post-excavation shot of trench 1 extension showing the 29 SE 6 MKP 09/05/2014 rear structural beam (feature 6) Post-excavation shot of trench 1 extension showing the 30 ESE - MKP 09/05/2014 WSW-facing section Post-excavation of trench 1 extension showing the WSW- 31 ESE - MKP 09/05/2014 facing section
Trench 1 extension WSW-facing section showing the rear 32 ENE - structural beam and the layering events of sandbags and MKP 09/05/2014 soil
Trench 1 WSW-facing section adjacent to the garden wall 33 ENE - MKP 09/05/2014 showing a sandbag in the profile
Trench 1 extension section showing the front structural 34 ENE 3 timber in the section and the rear timber in the bottom MKP 09/05/2014 right
Trench 1 extension WSW-facing section showing the rear 35 ENE 3 structural beam and the layering events of sandbags and MKP 09/05/2014 soil
Trench 1 ENE-facing section showing a brick layer 36 WSW - MKP 09/05/2014 beneath the abandonment layer and topsoil/turf Trench 1 extension ENE-facing section showing the 37 W - MKP 09/05/2014 layering events - the yellowish patches are sandbags Trench 1 extension ENE-facing section showing the 38 WSW - MKP 09/05/2014 layering events - the yellowish patches are sandbags Post-excavation shot of the trench 1 extension ENE- 39 S - MKP 09/05/2014 facing section Post-excavation shot of the trench 1 extension ENE- 40 SW 3 MKP 09/05/2014 facing section - the rear timber is shown bottom left Post-excavation shot of the trench 1 extension ENE- 41 SW 3 MKP 09/05/2014 facing section - the rear timber is shown bottom left
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Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Direction Feature Taken No. Notes Date facing No. by 42 SE - Post-excavation shot of trench 1 and extension MKP 09/05/2014 Post-cleaning shot of the base of a possible guard room - 43 NW - the flagstone in the foreground suggest the entrance LF 09/05/2014 position
Post-cleaning shot of the base of a possible guard room - 44 W - the flagstone in the foreground suggest the entrance LF 09/05/2014 position
Post-cleaning of the base of a possible guard room - 45 SE - LF 09/05/2014 looking towards the location of the mock graves Post-cleaning of the base of a possible guard room - 46 SSE - LF 09/05/2014 looking towards the gates to Achnacarry House
Post-cleaning of the base of a possible guard room - looking towards the gates to Achnacarry House - the large 47 SSE - tree on the right has a piece of barbed wire sticking out LF 09/05/2014 from it, however it is not known whether this relates to commando activity
48 SE - Shot showing the depth of the base's foundation (0.13m) LF 09/05/2014
49 SE - Shot showing the depth of the base's foundation (0.13m) LF 09/05/2014
50 - - .45 ACP bullets from trench2 LF 08/05/2014 51 - - .303 cases from trench 2 LF 08/05/2014 52 - - .303 cases from trench 2 LF 08/05/2014 53 - - .45 ACP cases from trench 2 LF 08/05/2014 54 - - 9mm bullet from trench 2 LF 08/05/2014 55 - - Flattened bullet from between the timbers in trench 2 LF 08/05/2014 56 - - .255 II case from trench 2 LF 08/05/2014
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Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Appendix 5 List of Metal-detector Finds from the 2014 Lochaber Archaeological Society Surveys
Survey area: Left hand side of road banking past Museum up to entrance of driveway to Achnacarry House Temp. Easting Northing Item Description Date Find No. 1 217577 787749 7.5cm square iron buckle, mid 19th century 09/03/2014 2 217583 787820 Remains (in 2 pieces) Baldric buckle 09/03/2014 3 217590 787832 Matchbox toy. 1960's APC 09/03/2014 4 217587 787834 Piece of grenade centre piece (corrugated) 09/03/2014 5 217585 787830 Shirt/fly button 09/03/2014 6 217580 787828 3d coin, 1940 09/03/2014 7 217576 787832 Two shilling coin 1062 09/03/2014 8 217570 787829 Timpa Toys aeroplane. Twin boom. 1950's 09/03/2014 9 217564 787829 Small piece rolled lead 09/03/2014 10 217562 787830 Small studded dog collar 09/03/2014 11 217565 787833 Small brass buckle 2.5 x 3cm. 19th century 09/03/2014 12 217567 787835 Shirt/fly button 09/03/2014 13 217564 787836 Iron nail 09/03/2014 14 217560 787837 1d coin. 1930 09/03/2014 15 217536 787830 Truck tyre valve 09/03/2014 16 217525 787844 Mortar fuse 09/03/2014 17 217528 787830 6 x 9mm amunition 09/03/2014 18 217525 787827 Shirt/fly button 09/03/2014 19 217522 787826 Mortar tail 09/03/2014 20 217520 787826 Mortar tail + cartridge 09/03/2014 21 217519 787827 Trip wire detonator 09/03/2014 Everywhere 0.303 cartridges in multiple locations 09/03/2014
Survey area: Guardroom area left hand side of driveway up to Achnacarry House. Temp. Easting Northing Item Description Date Find No. 22 217601 787955 Webbing (see note) 11/03/2014 23 217570 787902 Cartridge case 11/03/2014 24 217576 787907 Cartridge case 11/03/2014 25 217588 787916 Cartridge case 11/03/2014 26 217597 787926 Cartridge case 11/03/2014 27 217603 787936 Lead horseman with sprue (riderless) 11/03/2014 28 217599 787939 Lead horseman with sprue + leg 11/03/2014 29 217603 787938 Lead horseman with sprue (riderless) 11/03/2014 30 217606 787938 Lead horseman with sprue (riderless) 11/03/2014 31 217605 787938 Sprue 11/03/2014 32 217510 787940 Lead horseman base? 11/03/2014 33 217594 787947 Lead horseman + tail 11/03/2014
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Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Temp. Easting Northing Item Description Date Find No. 34 217587 787950 NAAFI fork 11/03/2014 35 217581 787949 Cartridge case 11/03/2014 36 217587 787945 Cartridge case 11/03/2014 37 217591 787942 Cartridge case 11/03/2014 Note Found in one large hole: 11/03/2014 Remains of leather pouch 11/03/2014 Remains of webbing 11/03/2014 3 x 0.45 ammunition 11/03/2014 Top of Swan pen 11/03/2014 Diary cover 11/03/2014 Pencil stub 11/03/2014 Dividers (as rust clump) 11/03/2014 Oil tube container (for rifle) 11/03/2014 Webbing belt buckle and slides 11/03/2014 Webbing ends 11/03/2014 1 toothbrush 11/03/2014 1 razor head in container 11/03/2014 1 steel box (cigarettes?) 11/03/2014
Survey area: Beech tree assault course to end of iron bridge. Temp. Easting Northing Item Description Date Find No. 38 218021 787997 Shirt/fly button 08/06/2014 39 218015 787999 Shirt/fly button 08/06/2014 40 218014 787998 1/2d coin. 1919 08/06/2014 41 218013 787999 Shirt/fly button 08/06/2014 42 218013 788000 Shirt/fly button 08/06/2014 43 218009 788001 Shirt/fly button 08/06/2014 44 218009 788002 Shirt/fly button 08/06/2014 45 218008 788001 Shirt/fly button 08/06/2014 46 218007 788002 1/2d coin 1941 08/06/2014 47 218006 788002 Shirt/fly button 08/06/2014 48 218006 788003 Shirt/fly button 08/06/2014 49 218002 788006 1/2d coin 1924 08/06/2014 50 218001 788006 Shirt/fly button 08/06/2014 51 218000 788006 Strip folded lead 08/06/2014 52 217999 788008 Shirt/fly button 08/06/2014 53 217998 788012 Naval button 08/06/2014 54 218145 787979 Grenade base plug 08/06/2014 55 218147 788005 9mm bullets - live x7 08/06/2014 56 218036 788043 "Death slide" hook with wood insert 08/06/2014 57 217937 788063 Mortar tails 08/06/2014
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Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Temp. Easting Northing Item Description Date Find No. Everywhere Empty bullet cases, different calibres. 08/06/2014
Survey area: Hill behind Clan Cameron museum. Temp. Easting Northing Item Description Date Find No. 58 217528 787766 2 x silver fork, 1 x silver handle fruit knife 29/06/2014 59 217529 787754 Pistol ball 29/06/2014 60 217535 787769 1/2d 1929 29/06/2014 61 217535 787772 6d coin 1933 29/06/2014 62 217544 787760 Clip of 4 live .303 bullets 29/06/2014 63 217548 787758 .45 calibre live bullet 29/06/2014 64 217534 787757 .38 calibre live bullets x 3 29/06/2014 65 217534 787760 Blank .303 bullet, live 29/06/2014 66 217535 787758 Shirt/fly button 29/06/2014 67 217536 787757 .303 bullet casing 29/06/2014 68 217540 787794 2in mortar safety cap 29/06/2014 69 217542 787793 Shirt/fly button 29/06/2014 70 217543 787794 .45 calibre bullet 29/06/2014 71 217544 787792 .38 calibre live bullet 29/06/2014 Everywhere Empty .303 bullet casings 29/06/2014
Survey area: Achnacarry Church - bottom of hillside back of militia target area. Temp. Easting Northing Item Description Date Find No. 72 218128 787393 .577 bullet x 2 27/07/2014 73 218129 787394 .577 bullet x 3 27/07/2014 74 218132 787393 .577 bullet x 1 27/07/2014 75 218133 787391 .577 bullet x 1 27/07/2014 76 218136 787395 .577 bullet x 1 27/07/2014 77 218135 787396 .577 bullet x 2 27/07/2014 78 218137 787397 .577 bullet x 1 27/07/2014 79 218136 787399 .577 bullet x 2 27/07/2014 80 218131 787397 .577 bullet x 2 27/07/2014 81 218130 787397 .577 bullet x 2 27/07/2014 82 218206 787473 Large brass buckle (old). Robert C Finder 27/07/2014 Everywhere Empty .303 bullet casings 27/07/2014
Survey area: Back of militia target area, church hillside Temp. Easting Northing Item Description Date Find No. 83 218108 787350 Tripwire detonator 21/08/2014 84 218109 787379 Tripwire detonator 21/08/2014 85 218103 787387 .577 bullet x 1, .303 cartridge base 21/08/2014
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Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Temp. Easting Northing Item Description Date Find No. 86 218106 787389 Brass eyelet on stem 4cm x 1cm 21/08/2014 87 218108 787390 .577 bullet x 1 21/08/2014 88 218107 787391 .577 bullet x 1 21/08/2014 89 218109 787393 .577 bullet x 2 21/08/2014 90 218111 787395 Minie Enfield x 1, .303 cartridge base 21/08/2014 91 218115 787393 .577 bullet x 1 21/08/2014 92 218113 787392 .577 bullet x 2 21/08/2014 93 218113 787388 .577 bullet x 1 21/08/2014 94 218117 787389 .577 bullet x 1 21/08/2014 95 218119 787387 .577 bullet x 1 21/08/2014 96 218120 787393 .577 bullet x 1 21/08/2014 97 218121 787397 .577 bullet x 1 21/08/2014 98 218122 787398 .577 bullet x 2 21/08/2014 99 218124 787393 .577 bullet x 1 21/08/2014 100 218126 787392 .577 bullet x 2 21/08/2014 101 218125 787390 Minie Enfield x 1 21/08/2014 Everywhere Empty .303 bullet casings 21/08/2014
Survey area: Militia 900yd range target area, church hillside Temp. Easting Northing Item Description Date Find No. 102 218067 787406 .577 bullet x 2 1 deformed 22/08/2014 103 218069 787408 .577 bullet x 1. Snider Enfield mushroomed 22/08/2014 104 218069 787409 .577 bullet x 2 Mushroomed 22/08/2014 105 218070 787408 .577 bullet x 3. Piece of iron 22/08/2014 106 218071 787409 .577 bullet x 1. 1 bullet base plug + wooden plug 22/08/2014 107 218071 787411 .577 bullet x 2 deformed 22/08/2014 108 218072 787410 .577 bullet x 5. 1 mushroomed 12g. 1 Base 22/08/2014 109 218072 787411 .577 bullet x 3. 1 thin piece tin 22/08/2014 110 218073 787410 .577 bullet x 1 deformed 22/08/2014 111 218074 787411 .577 bullet x 2. Base plug + Snider Enfield 22/08/2014 112 218075 787410 .577 bullet x 2. Base plug large game? 22/08/2014 113 218076 787410 .577 bullet x 3. 1 deformed, 1 wood plug 22/08/2014 114 218078 787410 .577 bullet x 4 22/08/2014 115 218079 787407 .577 bullet x 2 22/08/2014 116 218079 787409 .577 bullet x 2 22/08/2014 117 218079 787411 .577 bullet x 1 22/08/2014 118 218080 787410 Snider Enfield x 3 22/08/2014 119 218080 787413 .577 bullet x 2 deformed. Small piece lead. 22/08/2014 120 218081 787407 .577 bullet x 2 22/08/2014 121 218081 787409 .577 bullet x 3 22/08/2014 122 218081 787410 .577 bullet x 3. 0.50 Minie ball? 22/08/2014
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Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Temp. Easting Northing Item Description Date Find No. 123 218082 787411 .577 bullet x 3 22/08/2014 124 218082 787413 .577 bullet x 2 22/08/2014 125 218083 787409 .577 bullet x 2 22/08/2014 126 218084 787412 .577 bullet x 3 22/08/2014 127 218085 787408 .577 bullet x 2. Snider Enfield 22/08/2014 128 218085 787410 .577 bullet x 3 22/08/2014 129 218085 787411 .577 bullet x 1 22/08/2014
Survey area: Beech trees by river Temp. Easting Northing Item Description Date Find No. 130 217837 787961 0.22 cartridge casing 17/04/2014 131 217838 787962 0.303 cartridge casing 17/04/2014 0.45 ACP pistol cartridge casing 17/04/2014 132 217842 787967 Button 17/04/2014 133 217839 787965 Button 17/04/2014 9mm cartridge casing 17/04/2014 134 217841 787962 Toe cap from boot 17/04/2014 135 217839 787967 9mm cartridge casing 17/04/2014 1d coin 1920 17/04/2014 Bullet heads 17/04/2014 Button 17/04/2014 Button 17/04/2014 0.45 ACP pistol cartridge casing x3 17/04/2014 136 217844 787963 Bullet heads 17/04/2014 137 217838 787969 0.303 cartridge casing 17/04/2014 138 217838 787965 Bullet heads 17/04/2014 0.45 ACP pistol cartridge casing 17/04/2014
Survey area: Castle grounds in front of Achnacarry House Temp. Easting Northing Item Description Date Find No. 139 217778 787597 Vaseline jar 04/03/2014 140 217781 787607 Tent ring 04/03/2014 141 217782 787610 Belt buckle 05/03/2014 142 217780 787621 Kraft bottle 05/03/2014 143 217784 787629 Lead 05/03/2014 144 217786 787635 Lead pipe 05/03/2014 145 217787 787641 Tag 05/03/2014 146 217786 787609 Stick fuse 05/03/2014 147 217790 787656 Tea spoon 05/03/2014 148 217794 787659 Fragment of steel 08/03/2014
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Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Temp. Easting Northing Item Description Date Find No. 149 217792 787668 Bottle top 09/03/2014 150 217794 787674 Wire hook 09/03/2014 151 217798 787678 Shaving stick 09/03/2014 152 217789 787684 Steel bolt 10/03/2014 153 217790 787689 Top watering can 10/03/2014 154 217742 787693 Tent part 10/03/2014 155 217742 787200 Door hinge 10/03/2014 156 217786 787703 Beer bottle top (McEwan's) 10/03/2014 157 217781 787711 Curtain hooks 16/05/2014 158 217776 787716 Toothpaste tube 16/05/2014 159 217770 787720 Spoon 16/05/2014 160 217774 787728 Watch wheel 16/05/2014 161 217779 787733 Radio knobs 18/05/2014 162 217786 787737 Buckles 18/05/2014 163 217790 787734 Forks x 2 18/05/2014 164 217801 787731 Spoon + fork 19/05/2014 165 217806 787728 Buckles 19/05/2014 166 217818 787729 Metal file 19/05/2014 167 217820 787731 Naffi knife 20/05/2014 168 217870 787738 Mortar caps 20/05/2014 169 217825 787743 Unknown metal object 20/05/2014 170 217825 787752 Belt hooks 20/05/2014 171 217821 787759 Horse shoe 20/05/2014 172 217822 787762 Horse shoe 20/05/2014 173 217815 787776 Drain cover 19/05/2014 174 217820 787778 Nails 19/05/2014 175 217826 787781 Steel pins 19/05/2014 176 217839 787794 Aluminium tin 16/05/2014 177 217844 787798 Steel heel from boot 16/05/2014 178 217851 787801 Clockwork mechanism 16/05/2014 179 217858 787809 Tag 16/05/2014 180 217858 787809 Connector block 16/05/2014 181 217864 787813 Hook 16/05/2014 182 217876 787315 Bottle top 16/05/2014 183 217881 787117 Unknown metal object 16/05/2014 184 217888 787824 lead 20/05/2014 185 217895 787328 Unknown metal object 20/05/2014 186 217901 787257 Mills bomb 20/05/2014 187 217915 787859 Mortar head 20/05/2014 188 217920 787866 Nuts, bolts 20/05/2014 189 217921 787373 Pipe 20/05/2014
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Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Temp. Easting Northing Item Description Date Find No. 190 217912 787876 Toothpaste tube 20/05/2014 191 217905 787872 Door lock 20/05/2014 192 217898 787806 Mortar caps 20/05/2014 193 217890 787360 Steel pins 20/05/2014 194 217890 787360 Door knob 20/05/2014 195 217890 787860 Cap 20/05/2014 196 217855 787808 Bottle opener 10/04/2014 197 217855 787883 Grater 10/04/2014 198 217865 787841 Mortar head 10/04/2014 199 217835 787847 Mortar part 10/04/2014 200 217830 787852 Lead 10/04/2014 201 217825 787887 Horse stirrup (broken) 16/04/2014 202 217815 787856 Lamp holder 16/04/2014 203 217808 787664 Webbing buckle 16/04/2014 204 217802 787869 Pot (modern) 16/04/2014 205 217798 787898 Mess tin 16/04/2014 206 217792 787883 Detonator 16/04/2014 207 217783 787887 Steel ring 20/04/2014 208 217778 787892 Oil tank cap 20/04/2014 209 217771 787889 Tube camouflage paste 20/04/2014 210 217772 787925 Mortar head 20/04/2014 211 217754 787909 Brown glass bottle 20/04/2014 212 217746 787910 Castor 20/04/2014 213 217740 787914 Electrical component 20/04/2014 214 217732 787916 Pottery 20/04/2014 215 217731 787927 Spark plug 05/06/2014 216 217725 787922 Bakolite 05/06/2014 217 217719 787920 Oil cap 05/06/2014 218 217716 787917 Grenade part 05/06/2014 219 217708 787913 Tyre valve 05/06/2014 220 217706 787906 Handle 05/06/2014 221 217703 787898 Grenade base 05/06/2014 222 217704 787893 Ammo box pin 05/06/2014 223 217711 787887 Thermostat 05/06/2014 224 217712 787879 Navy padlock 06/06/2014 225 217714 787870 Curtain ring 06/06/2014 226 217718 787866 Petrol cap 06/06/2014 227 217723 787863 Cap badge 06/06/2014 228 217790 787854 1d coin 06/06/2014 229 217742 787849 Grenade base 06/06/2014 230 217744 787848 Webbing belt clip 10/06/2014
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Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Temp. Easting Northing Item Description Date Find No. 231 217708 787846 Mortar caps 10/06/2014 232 217752 787842 Tyre valve 10/06/2014 233 217757 787807 Vehicle brake parts 10/06/2014 234 217763 787834 Carburator cover 12/06/2014 235 217767 787832 Belt buckle 12/06/2014 236 217767 787825 Bottle top 12/06/2014 237 217767 787831 Buckles 12/06/2014 238 217772 787824 Cleaning rod, pistol 12/06/2014 239 217776 787818 Cutlery 12/06/2014 240 217780 787820 Unknown metal object 17/06/2014 241 217784 787818 Forks x 2 17/06/2014 242 217782 787811 Glass bottle 17/06/2014 243 217777 787708 Computer part 17/06/2014 244 217776 787794 Mortar caps 17/06/2014
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Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Figure 8 Overall distribution of metal-detecting finds at Achnacarry
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Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Figure 9 Close-up plan 1, distribution of metal-detecting finds at Achnacarry
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Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Figure 10 Close-up plan 2, distribution of metal-detecting finds at Achnacarry
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Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Figure 11 Close-up plan 3, distribution of metal-detecting finds at Achnacarry
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Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Camp: Report 2014-17/ACH14
Figure 12 Plan of Achnacarry from 2014 Survey, showing the location of metal-detecting finds
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