Highland Archaeology Services Ltd Bringing the past and future together
Archaeological walk-over survey
Mellon Charles Water Main Renewal Phase 2
7 Duke Street Cromarty Ross-shire IV11 8YH Tel / Fax: 01381 600491 Email: [email protected] Web: www.hi-arch.co.uk VAT No. 838 7358 80 Registered in Scotland no. 262144 Registered Office: 10 Knockbreck Street, Tain, Ross-shire IV19 1BJ Mellon Charles Phase 2 Water Main Renewal Walk-over Survey 2008
Archaeological walk-over survey
Mellon Charles Water Main Renewal Phase 2
Report No. HAS081106 Project code MNC08 Client Halcrow Ltd
Highland Council Ref N/A
Date 27 November 2008
Author Cathy Dagg
Summary
A walk-over survey was undertaken to identify any archaeology to be affected by the laying of the new Aultbea to Mellon Charles Phase 2 water main, Ross and Cromarty. Several features were noted which should be marked off and avoided during excavation work.
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Contents
Introduction ...... 3 Aims and Objectives ...... 3 Location ...... 4 Archaeological background and cultural significance ...... 4 Results ...... 6 Appendix 1: Photo Index ...... 15 Appendix 2: Locations of Features ...... 15
Plate 1 Feature 1 ...... 6 Plate 2 Feature 2 ...... 7 Plate 3 Feature 3 ...... 8 Plate 4 Feature 4 ...... 8 Plate 5 Feature 5 ...... 9 Plate 6 Feature 6 ...... 9 Plate 7 Feature 7 ...... 10 Plate 8 Feature 9 ...... 11 Plate 9 Feature 10 ...... 11 Plate 10 Feature 11 ...... 12 Plate 11 Feature 13 ...... 12 Plate 12 Feature 14 ...... 13 Plate 13 Feature 16 ...... 14
Figure 1 Location ...... 4 See also Appendix 2
Acknowledgements
Desk-based assessment and fieldwork were carried out by Cathy Dagg. We wish to thank the client Halcrow PLC for commissioning the work. Background mapping has been reproduced by the permission of Ordnance Survey under Licence 100043217. This report was edited by John Wood.
Introduction
A walk-over survey was carried out on 8 September 2008 by Highland Archaeology Services Ltd on behalf of Halcrow Group Ltd in order to identify any archaeology likely to be affected by excavations for a new water main between Aultbea and Mellon Charles, Ross and Cromarty. Weather conditions were clear, dry and sunny.
Aims and Objectives
The aim was to identify any archaeological concerns at the earliest stage, so as to avoid any unnecessary damage to features and minimise any possible delay or cost to the development.
The objective was to identify and record as far as possible the character, extent, condition, date and significance of any archaeologically significant remains likely to be affected by excavations for the new water main so that these could be preserved where practicable and recorded where necessary in line with Scottish Executive and Highland Council policies.
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Location
The new route is located in Mellon Charles, Wester Ross, Scotland, centred approximately at OS Grid Reference NG 848 914. The height ranges from almost sea level to about 40m above OD.
Figure 1 Location
Archaeological background and cultural significance
Sites with statutory protections
There are no Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Listed buildings or gardens and designed landscapes within the evaluation area.
Recorded archaeological sites
No prehistoric sites are recorded in the vicinity of Mellon Charles.
The following sites, recorded on the Highland Historic Environment Record, lie within the evaluation area:
1. MHG 47638. Mellon Charles, Military Camp, centred on NG8416 9113
The hut bases of the accommodation camp are visible on RAF vertical air photographs (CPE/Scot/UK182, 1348-1350, flown 8 October 1946). One hut of corrugated iron at NG 84157 91116 is still extant and is presently standing empty. Eight hut bases were noted to the E of the road and a further six to the N of the remaining upstanding building. Some of the hut bases have been cut through by a road constructed in the postwar period.
Many of the hut bases can still be found and there are two small concrete bases on the top of the small hill possibly for a flagpole or mast immediately to the S. (Visited by RCAHMS (DE), August 2000)
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2. MHG 33201 An Fhaiche: Burial Ground at NG 8436 9116
Recorded as an unenclosed burial ground on the 1st edition OS map.
3. MHG21360 Mellon Charles, crofting township at NG 8450 9130
"Applies to a large district of fishermen's crofts situated on the E shore of Loch Ewe and W of Ormiscaig...extending from a dyke immediately to the E of Allt Bhruachan Rhuadha to Geodhachan Bana..." (Name Book 1881)
A crofting township comprising 106 roofed, 13 partially roofed, 24 unroofed buildings and their associated enclosures is depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Ross-shire 1881, sheet xix). Several of the roofed buildings have rounded unroofed compartments at one end which may indicate that these buildings are kiln barns. 88 roofed, 4 partially roofed and 50 unroofed buildings and their associated enclosures are shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10560 map (1969). (Information from RCAHMS (SAH) 22 April 1996)
Historical Background
Mellon Charles is historically a part of the MacKenzie of Gairloch estates. The area of the present croft township is not shown or named on Roy’s military survey of the 1750s, nor is the ground shown as cultivated. Thompson’s 1820s map gives the name Mellon without any indication of a settlement,so this may be a topographical name referring to the prominent Cnoc Meall Onfhaidh. However, in 1815 the Mellon Charles tacksman is recorded as having been replaced by small tenants and cottars as a first step in the estate’s reforms.
In the 1840s the area was laid out in the experimental grid pattern of crofts unique to Gairloch. Each square holding had an approximately central croft house in an attempt to encourage good husbandry. The main disadvantage of this layout was difficulty of access. A number of trackways had to be included in the design, running between the crofts, to allow access to the higher houses. Unlike the other crofting townships laid out on the grid pattern, Mellon was later served by more than just one public road running through the township, rather, many of the former tracks have been surfaced and provide access to the higher holdings. It may be for this reason that Mellon supports a greater population than the other townships.
Uniquely along the NW shore of Loch Ewe, the township is centred on a sheltered sandy beach, backed by a gently rising area of grass-covered sand dunes (G. An fhaithche: the green) This area would have been particularly favourable for early settlement and cultivation, but is now almost entirely occupied by the military base, built during the 2nd World War to service the North Atlantic convoys and the anti- submarine boom running from Rubh a’Choin to Isle Ewe. The main base is still in use, but abandoned accommodation camps and gun placements are deteriorating into the landscape.
Area Description
The water mains replacements are to be laid entirely within the in-bye ground of the crofting township of Mellon Charles.
The crofts are sparsely inhabited, and scattered abandoned 19th century croft buildings are visible features as well as building footings and enclosures of a pre-crofting landscape. In the highest croft holdings particularly the land has not been improved in the modern period and offers the greatest chance of survival of prehistoric and pre-improvement settlement and field systems. The crofts are, for the most
5 Mellon Charles Phase 2 Water Main Renewal Walk-over Survey 2008 part, on poor, thin, rocky soils; a prominent feature of the higher crofts is the number and size of the stone heaps cleared from the fields, representing field improvement in the prehistoric, early modern and modern periods. Some of these piles are massive and structural and have been included in the gazetteer of archaeological features, both to avoid misinterpretation as more significant structures such as cairns and to record them as features in their own right, representing the effort involved in bringing this ground into cultivation.
Modern housing is now beginning to reoccupy choice sites, with associated access roads and landscaping, including belts of tree planting. These modern features, combined with the broken, rocky nature of the landscape, with prominent knolls, obscure the grid-pattern of the crofts. Very little active crofting is evident; only a few fields hold any livestock. Much of the lower in-bye land is invaded by rushes and reeds.
The Water Mains Renewal Scheme
The proposed mains renewals forms a network spreading south and west from the existing storage tank at NG 8517 9157, following for the most part the existing road network but occasionally cutting across fields and through woodland.
Results
Gazetteer of Archaeological Sites, Features and Areas
This includes only sites which are considered to be in possible danger of damage from the present water mains renewal scheme and so likely to require protection or mitigation. Please see the plans at the end of the report for locations.
Plate 1 Feature 1
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1. Mellon Charles, Military Camp, centred on NG8416 9113 HER Ref. MHG 47638. One derelict standing building (Photo no. 1) and several concrete bases SW of the access road will not be affected. NE of the access road are two concrete bases (Photo no. 2) and the remains of a third truncated by the road. North of these are three more, two of which lie west of the fence but the third is located on a slight knoll (Photo no. 3).
The water main will pass between two of the bases north of the road and directly through the base on the knoll east of the fence. As this is in no way a rare or unique example of military remains in the area, no mitigation is recommended for the base which may be damaged.
2. An Fhaiche: Burial Ground at NG 8436 9116 HER ref. MHG 33201 Although originally unwalled, as recorded on the 1st edition OS map, the burial ground is now surrounded by a mortared wall, clearly defining the boundary of the burial area (Photo no. 4).
This will not be affected by any work.
Plate 2 Feature 2
Mellon Charles: crofting township at NG 8450 9130 HER Ref. MHG21360 The following features are all either relics of a pre-crofting landscape or of the 1840 croft holdings layout:
3. Possible structures, field clearance at NG8453 9185 a. at NG 84536 91845 a possible oval structure measuring 2m by 1.5m, infilled with field clearance stones b. at NG 84540 91854 a stone pile measuring 2m by 2m
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These features lie immediately north of the water main and should be unaffected, but it may be advisable to locate and mark them before work commences to avoid accidental damage.
4. Enclosure at NG 8440 9190. A sub-rectangular enclosure of turf and rubble walling as recorded on the 1st edition OS map. This is in a corner of a croft field and is likely to date to post-1840
This feature lies immediately south of the water main route. It should be unaffected but it may be advisable to mark it as archaeology to avoid accidental damage.
Plate 3 Feature 3
Plate 4 Feature 4
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5. Platform at NG 84333 91977: a small raised platform, measuring 5m by 2.5m, possibly revetted but with added field clearance stones. This may originally have been the base of a small structure.
This feature lies to the east of the water main route, which runs just into the field, and should be unaffected but it may be advisable to mark it as archaeology to avoid accidental damage.
Plate 5 Feature 5
Plate 6 Feature 6
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6. Field boundary dykes at NG 84336 92005 Two low rubble footings converging just east of the road and continuing as one dyke to the west. These dykes do not conform to and therefore probably pre- date the square layout of the croft holdings.
The dykes will be crossed by the water main, but the damage will be to a short section which could be re-instated in the original style after insertion of the pipe.
7. Building at NG 8478 9152 The truncated remains of what looks like a dwelling house aligned NE- SW. This is possibly a late building, as it does not appear to be recorded on the 1st edition OS map.
The water main is shown as altering its route to avoid this standing ruin, so it should not be affected by the work
Plate 7 Feature 7
8. Field Clearance cairns, centred on NG 8475 9152 A number of neatly constructed field clearance piles are located in this field.
The water main passes through this area but it is most likely that a route will be chosen to avoid damaging the stone piles.
9. Building, enclosure at NG 8478 9152 Standing remains of a small byre with the remains of a turf roof, on a platform dug into the bank and with one entrance in the SE corner of the building. To the south of this are the remains of an enclosure, partially overlaid by a massive field clearance pile and overgrown with vegetation
The water main passes to the south of this group and should not affect it.
10. Consumption dyke at NG 8486 9143 Well-constructed rubble retaining wall, facing SE, with additions of small field clearance stones forming a substantial bank
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The water main will cut through this feature. It is recommended that it be reconstructed in its original style
Plate 8 Feature 9
Plate 9 Feature 10
11. Field clearance cairns, centred on NG 8485 9143 A number of substantial, well-constructed field clearance piles are located throughout this field. To the NE of this group is a substantial standing building, partially roofed which is one of the original 1840s croft houses with outbuildings
The water main passes through this area but it is most likely that a route will be chosen to avoid damaging the stone piles
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Plate 10 Feature 11
Plate 11 Feature 13
12. Trackways, drystone dyke at NG 8503 9144 At this point is the crossroads of two trackways which are the original access routes between the 1840s croft holdings. The NE-SW track is still in use as a path providing access to the hill while the NW-SE track is redundant and poorly defined. The field to the NE of the crossroads is bounded by a drystone dyke in fairly good condition.
The water main will cut through the drystone dyke. It is recommended that it be reconstructed in its original style
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13. Dyke line at NG 8510 9150 The faint footings of a dyke line, here visible as a single line of stones (Photo no. 16) although after turning NE the dyke becomes a substantial consumption dyke of probably later date. This dyke, in its original state, may be a pre-crofting feature
The water main will cut through this feature but the damage will be to a small section and no mitigation is recommended
14. Building at NG 8506 9133 The low overgrown footings of a building in the centre of a croft field which is probably a former house, with attached enclosures to west and north. The building is reduced to its lowest course and has probably been robbed of its stone. (Photo no. 17) The water main will pass south of this feature and should not affect it, but it may be advisable to mark it as archaeology to prevent accidental damage.
Plate 12 Feature 14
15. Consumption Dyke at NG 8508 9126 a well-constructed broad rubble dyke whose function is likely to be equally boundary and consumption of field clearance stones.
The water main will cut through this feature. It is recommended that it be reconstructed in its original style
16. Building, enclosures at NG 8506 9102 Low, grass covered footings of a group of buildings and enclosures which, by their location are likely to be an original 1840s croft house and outbuildings (Photo no. 18)
The water main will pass NE of this group of features and should not affect them, but it may be advisable to mark it as archaeology to prevent accidental damage.
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Plate 13 Feature 16
Conclusions and Summary of Recommendations
No prehistoric features were located during this survey. Minor features associated with a pre-crofting landscape and redundant features of the crofting township laid out in 1840 were noted.
Of the sixteen features listed above, six (sites 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 13) possibly date to the pre-improvement period, nine to the 1840s croft improvements and one (Site 1) to 1939-45 military activity.
Most of the features will or need not be directly affected. The water main will pass close to them but should be able to avoid damage. Some features may be better protected through marking them as archaeology before work commences (sites 3, 4, 5, 14, 16).
Six features (Sites 1, 6, 10, 12, 13, 15) will be directly affected by the work. These are, with the exception of site 1, linear features such as dykes, where the damage will only be to a short section. In these cases it is recommended that for the preservation of the historic landscape the features be reinstated in their original style when work is completed. No recommendations are made for site 1.
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Appendix 1: Photo Index
All photographs were taken by Cathy Dagg
Photo no. Feature no. Description Angle of view 1 1 Standing building of former WW11 military From NE accommodation camp, adjacent to former road down to gun placements 2 1 Concrete base of former accommodation hut NE of From W access road 3 1 Concrete base of former accommodation hut on knoll From NE north of main group 4 2 Burial ground with flat slabs of early graves in From NW foreground. 5 3 a and b Far stone pile is a. with possible underlying structure. From SW Near pile is b. 6 3b Stone pile, possible structure From NE 7 4 Enclosure, visible as grass-covered rubble walling From SW behind metal barriers 8 5 Platform with possible revetting and later addition of From NE field-clearance stones 9 6 Early boundary walling, visible as line of stones From E running to field corner 10 7 Truncated ruin of former dwelling house From SW 11 7 Walling of former dwelling house From E 12 9 Small rubble byre, with Mellon Charles military base From N behind 13 10 Consumption dyke From SW 14 10 Boundary, consumption dyke From SE 15 11 Abandoned croft house and outbuildings From SW 16 13 Remains of dyke (centre) From SE 17 14 Remains of abandoned croft house From S 18 16 Remains of abandoned croft house and outbuildings From NE
Appendix 2: Locations of Features Marked up on engineering drawings supplied by Halcrow Group
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16 Mellon Charles Phase 2 Water Main Renewal Walk-over Survey 2008
17 Mellon Charles Phase 2 Water Main Renewal Walk-over Survey 2008
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