Drovers' Enclosure, Achkeepster, Near Mybster, Caithness Archaeological

Drovers’ Enclosure, Achkeepster, near Mybster, Caithness Archaeological Measured Survey Report

AOC 70184 31st May 2017

Drovers’ Enclosure, Achkeepster, near Mybster, Caithness Archaeological Measured Survey Report

On Behalf of: Innogy Renewables UK Ltd

Planning Reference: 14/04554/S42

National Grid Reference (NGR): ND 16961 51622 (centred)

Highland HER No.: MHG 18906

AOC Project No.: 70184

Prepared by: L. Fraser

Illustrations by: L. Fraser

Date of Fieldwork: 24th May 2017

Date of Report: 31st May 2017

OASIS No.: aocarcha1-286558

This document has been prepared in accordance with AOC standard operating procedures.

Authors: Lynn Fraser Date: 31/05/2017

Approved by: Mary Peteranna Date: 02/06/2017

Draft/Final Report Stage: Final Date: 05/06/2017

Enquiries to: AOC Archaeology Group Ardyne Studio Bank Street Ross‐shire IV11 8YE

Mob. 07972 259255 Tel. 01381 600938 E‐mail [email protected]

www.aocarchaeology.com 70184: Drovers’ Enclosure at Achkeepster: Archaeological Measured Survey Report

Contents Page List of illustrations ...... 2 List of plates ...... 2 List of appendices ...... 2 Abstract ...... 3 1.0 Introduction ...... 4 2.0 Project Background ...... 4 3.0 Character of the Study Area ...... 4 4.0 Desk-based Assessment ...... 4 4.1 Methodology ...... 4 4.2 Cartographic Sources ...... 6 4.3 Aerial Imagery ...... 6 4.4 Historic Environment Sources ...... 6 Figure 2: Extract from the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey 6 inch to the mile map © NLS ...... 7 Figure 3: Extract from the 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey 6 inch to the mile map © NLS ...... 7 5.0 Survey Methodology ...... 8 6.0 Results ...... 8 7.0 Discussion and Conclusion ...... 8 8.0 References ...... 10

List of illustrations

Figure 1 Site location map Figure 2 Extract from the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey 6 inch to the mile map Figure 3 Extract from the 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey 6 inch to the mile map Figure 4 Plan of the Achkeepster drovers’ enclosure

List of plates

Plate 1 Panoramic view over the site, the enclosure is virtually obscured from view due to vegetation cover Plate 2 Looking along the E bank from the N end of the enclosure, looking S Plate 3 The junction of the internal wall with the E bank with Achkeepster farmstead in the background, looking W Plate 4 Looking along the W bank, looking S. The pole is placed at the junction with the internal wall.

List of appendices

Appendix 1: Site photographs Appendix 2: Index of Photographs

Abstract

This report details the results of a desk-based assessment and archaeological measured survey of a post-medieval drovers’ enclosure (MHG18906) located immediately to the south of the electricity substation at Achkeepster, near Mybster, Caithness.

The measured survey was undertaken on 24th May 2017 as part of a programme of mitigation ahead of development for a grid connection to Bad a' Cheo Wind Farm. The site comprised a subrectangular bank, forming a large enclosure situated within an area of dense vegetation, which made archaeological visibility difficult.

1.0 Introduction

1.1 An archaeological measured survey of Achkeepster drovers’ enclosure was conducted on 24th May 2017 ahead of development works associated with a new wind farm and associated works. The site is located immediately to the south of the electricity substation at Achkeepster, near Mybster, Caithness. The purpose of the survey was to provide an assessment of the character and extent of the site and to create a detailed record of the site prior to the construction of a new satellite circuit breaker housing facility, which will impact upon the site.

2.0 Project Background

2.1 Construction of Bad a’ Cheo Wind Farm is in progress on the west side of the A9 to the south of Mybster, between Achkeepster and Tacher. The site is located about 15km south of Thurso, Caithness. In association with this work, a satellite circuit breaker housing ancillary to the wind farm will be constructed at Achkeepster, approximately 1km to the north of the wind farm site and immediately to the south of the existing Mybster electricity substation (Figures 1; 4).

2.2 A desk-based assessment and site visit at Achkeepster were carried out in 2015, which identified a post-medieval drovers’ enclosure (Highland Historic Environment Record No. MHG18906) adjacent to Achkeepster farmstead. As the site would be adversely affected by the development of the circuit breaker housing and ancillary works, it was recommended that a detailed survey be carried out of the earthworks to record the site and inform mitigation procedures to limit impact and accidental damage.

3.0 Character of the Study Area

3.1 The drovers’ enclosure at Achkeepster is centred on National Grid Reference ND 16961 51622. It lies between an area of forestry plantation and the A9 to the immediate south of the Mybster electricity substation. The site occupies a relatively flat area of ground, which slopes almost imperceptibly westwards towards the A9. In its present condition, the monument comprises low turf and stone banks covered in moss, grass and abundant rushes. The surrounding vegetation consists of heather and sphagnum moss. The ground is wet underfoot.

4.0 Desk-based Assessment

4.1 Methodology

4.1.1 A desk-based assessment was conducted in 2015 by Jacobs in order to assess the archaeological potential of the area based on previously recorded sites and any historical documentation. A rapid check of all available historical and archaeological records, aerial photographs and historical maps was also conducted prior to the survey using the Highland Historic Environment Record (HHER), the National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE), Ordnance Survey Name Books, Historic Environment Scotland’s databases, the National Library of Scotland, statistical accounts and other available records, literary sources or online resources about the site.

Figure 1: Site location

4.2 Cartographic Sources

4.2.1 Historical maps were consulted at the National Library of Scotland (2017) online. a) William Roy’s Military Map Highlands, 1747-52

Roy’s map shows some cultivation in the general area of the enclosure. b) First Edition 6-inch-to-the-mile Ordnance Survey (OS) map: Caithness, Sheet XXIII (includes: Halkirk; Latheron; Watten) Survey date: 1881 Publication date: 1877

The enclosure is depicted on this map to the west of a road, which is now the A9, set in moorland. It is shown as sub-rectangular in plan with two compartments. The northern compartment appears to contain improved or pasture ground while the southern compartment does not (Figure 2).

Achkeepster farmstead is shown as a roofed structure on the west side of the road with attached enclosures to both sides. It is also depicted as the site of a Pict’s House, or broch. c) Second Edition 6-inch-to-the-mile Ordnance Survey (OS) map: Caithness-shire Sheet XXIII (includes: Halkirk; Latheron; Watten) Publication date: 1907 Date Revised: 1905

The enclosure is still depicted on the 2nd edition map, although both compartments are now shown as containing unimproved ground. There are two possible small structures shown between the west bank of the enclosure and the road (Figure 3).

The farmstead on the west side of the road has been reduced to a much smaller, partially roofed building with attached enclosures and a smaller roofed building to the east of it. The site is also depicted as the site of a Cairn.

4.3 Aerial Imagery

4.3.1 Satellite imagery was consulted on Google Maps 2017 (online) and the enclosure is clearly visible with the exception of the north end.

4.4 Historic Environment Sources

4.4.1 A rapid search of the Highland Council Historic Environment Record (HHER) and the National Record of the Historic Environment (via Canmore) was carried out. a) MHG18906 NG 1696 5160 Enclosures

The record describes the site as shown on the 1st Edition OS mapping: two conjoined enclosures, one of which contains cultivated ground. It states that they are not shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10000 map (1976).

The record also reports that the site was visited by D Glass in 2012, when it was described as a stock enclosure adjacent to the A9 road and lying to the east of it, with the Mybster electricity sub-station immediately north of it. The enclosure was recorded as parallelogram in form, 154 metres by 67 metres, with earthen dykes divided it into two compartments of approximately equal size. The dykes had spread to a width of two to three metres and were reduced to a height of one metre or less. There were openings in the west and east walls of the northern compartment.

Figure 2: Extract from the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey 6 inch to the mile map © NLS

Figure 3: Extract from the 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey 6 inch to the mile map © NLS

5.0 Survey Methodology

5.1 The archaeological survey was conducted on 24th May 2017. The vegetation cover caused difficult recording conditions. Much of the structure was obscured under dense rushes. This, along with tussocky ground conditions obscured most of the details of the site.

5.2 The measured survey was undertaken using a Trimble Geo-XR Rover capable of centimetre accuracy.

6.0 Results

6.1 The enclosure measured 164.5m N-S by 63m overall externally. As previously reported, it is still clearly divided into two compartments. The northern compartment measured 83.5 by 61m internally and the southern compartment measured 76.5m by 64m internally. Preservation of the banks varied. The west side of the enclosure was less visible due to encroaching vegetation than the east side. The north side appeared to have been compromised during the construction of the electricity substation (Figure 4).

6.2 The enclosure banks stand to a maximum height of 1m internally and measured from 2m- 2.5m across. The top of the banks are mostly flat or gently rounded, varying in width from 1.25m to 1.5m where most well-preserved. The outer banks appeared to have been constructed almost entirely of turf. The internal partition, however, was constructed mainly of stone and overgrown with grass and rushes. This suggests that it may have been built at a later date to the main structure. The entrances were not visible due to the degradation of the banks in places and the dense vegetation cover. A selection of photographs can be found in Appendix 1.

7.0 Discussion and Conclusion

7.1 Droving was a common practice throughout Scotland by which livestock, including cattle and sheep, were walked south to be sold at trysts or markets in both southern Scotland and England. By the middle of the 18th century, Caithness cattle were driven south, mainly for sale at Crieff or Falkirk. William Defoe writing in about 1726 refers to many black cattle being bred in Caithness and sold to drovers, mainly for droving to Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. Thomas Pennant, in 1772, estimated that in good years as many as 2,200 cattle were sold to drovers (Haldane 1997, 102-4). Haldane’s map of Scottish drove roads suggests that Georgemas, south of Thurso and about 1km east of Halkirk was a starting point for droves south from Caithness (ibid., unnumbered).

7.2 Contemporary writers criticised the poor quality of the beef cattle from Caithness when compared to those of other Highland districts and did not consider them the best of beasts for droving. The relatively poor quality of Caithness cattle for droving may well explain the importance in the 18th century of the Caithness export trade to Leith of barrelled beef and hides. The beasts from Caithness, moreover, faced a four week journey to the south of Scotland and drovers were fortunate if all their cattle survived the journey. The prices obtained for Caithness cattle in the southern trysts was also often disappointing, reflecting their loss in value throught loss of condition on the long journey south (Haldane 1997, 104).

7.3 The cattle were brought for delivery to a convenient spot where they were gradually collected into a drove. A drove may have consisted of 100-300 beasts, with one drover to each 50-60 animals. The profits on a drove of beasts brought from the Highlands to the Lowland markets was small, therefore a drove of less than 200 animals was hardly an economic undertaking (Haldane 1997, 29).

7.4 The success of a droving venture depended upon the availability of wayside grazing for the cattle and a place to rest for the drovers. These stopping places were known as ‘stances’ and were as essential as the drove road itself (Haldane 1997, 36). The stances were generally located at the side of a drove road at ten to twelve mile intervals, a distance that reflected what the cattle could cover in a day (Lowdon 2014, 181). In the Highlands, stances often consisted of little more than open patches of ground or grassy hollows located on moors, hillsides, riverbanks and in glens and corries. The physical layout of these sites was largely dictated by topography. In areas of open hillside or flat moorland, the cattle grazed freely with the drovers sleeping in groups among the beasts, taking it in turns to watch over the animals through the night.

7.5 In areas of cultivation, stances were increasingly hemmed in by dykes and turf walls to prevent the animals straying and damaging crops; many of these stances were adjoined by inns and cottages, which provided the drovers with food and shelter (ibid., 182-3). The grazing sites would also need to be located close to water to rehydrate both animals and drovers (ibid., 188). Over the course of time, the regular manuring of the stance site by generations of grazing cattle would have improved the fertility of the soil; the grass remaining appreciably greener than the surrounding landscape (ibid., 187-8).

7.6 Bishop Forbes, travelling through Caithness in 1762, is recorded as having stopped ‘at Auchateebst, an Inn and took a Dram on Horseback’. This inn, at Achkeepster, was located in the vicinity of the present shepherd’s cottage on the west side of the A9 opposite the enclosure. It was still operational in 1853. Drovers seem to have converged on this area, before moving south and oral history suggests that the enclosure was used as a holding pen (Hooper 2001, 6).

7.7 The enclosure at Achkeepster is quite considerable in size. Although similar in shape and construction, it is twice the size of a drovers’ stance at Kinbrace in the Strath of Kildonan. The stance there, constructed of turf dykes, was roughly rectangular, measuring a maximum of 70m by 35m and divided into two almost equally sized compartments. It also differs from the enclosure at Achkeepster by being located on the east bank of the River Helmsdale (Adamson 2014, 106-7).

7.8 There is no obvious water source at Achkeepster sufficient to provide water for a large number of cattle over an extended period of time. This would suggest that the enclosure was used for transient periods only. As Georgemas, which has been suggested as a starting point for a drove from Caithness, is only about 8.5km from Achkeepster, it is possible that cattle were brought to Achkeepster to join the drove as it left Caithness rather than the enclosure being used as a stance in the traditional sense.

8.0 References

Adamson, D. B., 2014. Commercialisation, change and continuity: an archaeological study of rural commercial practice in the Scottish Highlands. Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Haldane, A.R.B., 1997. The Drove Roads of Scotland. Edinburgh: Birlinn Ltd.

Highland Council, 2017. Historic Environment Record accessed at http://her.highland.gov.uk on 17th April 2017.

Hooper, J., 2001. Achkeepster, Caithness, Location of Proposed Windfarm: An Archaeological Assessment. Unpublished report.

Lowdon, R. E., 2014. To travel by older ways: a historical-cultural geography of droving in Scotland. Unpublished thesis, University of Glasgow.

National Map Library of Scotland, 2017. Accessed at http://maps.nls.uk on 17th April 2017.

Figure 4: Plan of the Achkeepster drovers’ enclosure

Drovers’ Enclosure, Achkeepster, near Mysbter, Caithness Archaeological Measured Survey Report

Section 2: Appendices

Appendix 2 Site Photographs

Plate 1: Panoramic view over the site, the enclosure is virtually obscured from view due to vegetation cover

Plate 2: Looking along the E bank from the N end of the enclosure, looking S

Plate 3: The junction of the internal wall with the E bank with Achkeepster farmstead in the background, looking W

Plate 4: Looking along the W bank, looking S. The pole is placed at the junction with the internal wall

Appendix 4 List of Survey Photographs

Photo Direction Description Date No. Facing Panoramic view over the site taken from the NW E through to 1 corner. The enclosure is very difficult to discern under 24/05/2017 S the rushes. Looking over the enclosure towards the A9 and wind 2 SSW 24/05/2017 farm from the NE corner Looking down the E bank from the N end of the 3 S 24/05/2017 enclosure Looking down the E bank from the N end of the 4 enclosure and showing the bank's spread of about 2m S 24/05/2017 at this point Image showing some of the rush cover at the N end of 5 SW 24/05/2017 the E bank 6 E bank at the N end SSW 24/05/2017 The junction of the internal wall with the E bank with a 7 W 24/05/2017 farmstead in the background Looking along the W bank to the S. The ranging pole is 8 placed at the junction of the W bank with the internal S 24/05/2017 wall. Looking along the W bank to the N. There is a gap in 9 the bank behind the ranging pole, with the bank N 24/05/2017 continuing to the left of the pole beyond the gap.

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