Station Road, Newtonmore

SRNH10

STATION ROAD, NEWTONMORE

Archaeological Evaluation for Argyll Developments Scotland Limited

07/230/CP

June 2011 STATION ROAD, NEWTONMORE

Archaeological Evaluation for Argyll Developments Scotland Limited

07/230/CP

June 2011

HA Job no.: SRNH10 NGR: NN 71156 98558 Parish: Kingussie and Insh Council: Highland Council OASIS ref.: headland1-85334

Project Manager Edward Bailey Author Nuala C. Marshall Fieldwork Emma Searle & Nuala C. Marshall Graphics Anna Sztromwasser Approved by Edward Bailey, Project Manager

Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd © Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd 2011

13 Jane Street, Edinburgh EH6 5HE T 0131 467 7705 F 0131 467 7706 E [email protected] www.headlandarchaeology.com Station Road, Newtonmore SRNH10 Headland Archaeology Ltd

Contents

1. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Site location 1

2. METHODOLOGY 1 2.1 Objectives 1 2.2 Methodology 5 Desk based assessment 5 Machine evaluation 5 2.3 Recording 5 3. RESULTS 5 3.1 Desk based assessment 5 3.2 Evaluation 6

4. DISCUSSION 7

5. REFERENCES 7 5.1 Bibliographic sources 7 5.2 Cartographic sources 7 5.3 Internet sources 7

6. APPENDICES 8 6.1 Appendix 1 – Site registers 8 Trench register 8 Context register 9 Photographic register 9 6.2 Appendix 2 – List of NMRS reference numbers 11 6.3 Appendix 3 – DES entry 12 © Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd 2011 Station Road, Newtonmore SRNH10 Headland Archaeology Ltd

List of illustrations

Illus 1 viii Site location showing area of evaluation Illus 2 3 Evaluation trench plan Illus 3 5 Field conditions Illus 4 5 Example of soil profile Illus 5 6 Trench excavation Illus 6 6 Example of investigated modern pit [003] Illus 7 7 Trench 21 – typical results of trenching © Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd 2011 Newtonmore

Site

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Illus 1 Site location showing area of evaluation Station Road, Newtonmore SRNH10 Headland Archaeology Ltd

STATION ROAD, NEWTONMORE

Archaeological Evaluation

Headland Archaeology Ltd conducted an evaluation at a proposed housing development site off Station Road, Newtonmore in order to satisfy a planning condition placed by Highland Council. The work was commissioned by Argyll Developments Scotland Limited with a specification for the work agreed with Highland Council Archaeology Unit.

Within the area of the development, twenty-one trenches were excavated and no archaeological features, deposits or artefacts of significance were revealed during these investigations.

to the south-west by an access track and to the south-east 1. INTRODUCTION by residential housing and open fields.

The geology of the area comprises Loch Laggan Psammite overlain by alluvium deposits of post-glacial age which is 1 1.1 Background characterised by mainly sand and clay with some areas of gravel. The natural topography of the site slopes gently Headland Archaeology was commissioned by Argyll both south westwards with natural mounds rolling south Developments Scotland Limited to undertake an at the north east of the site. The site has been used for archaeological evaluation on a housing development cultivation in the past and is currently in a state of grazing site off Station Road, Newtonmore. The evaluation was pasture. undertaken as part of a programme of archaeological work required to fulfil a planning condition attached by Highland Council (Planning ref 07/230/CP). 2. METHODOLOGY

A desk based assessment of the area was undertaken prior to the evaluation, the results of which are included in this report. The assessment concluded that the site had 2.1 Objectives some potential for containing archaeological remains associated with prehistory as previous work in the area The objectives of the evaluation were: had recovered pottery and lithics of prehistoric date. • to evaluate the archaeological potential of the Prior to the works commencing a Written Scheme of development site and determine the location, Investigation was prepared by Headland Archaeology (UK) character, extent and quality of any archaeological Ltd based on a brief prepared by Highland Council. The remains identified within it, fieldwork took place between the 18th and 20th of October 2010 the results of which are presented in this report. • to propose arrangements for the safeguarding, where possible, and recording where necessary of any archaeological feature or finds identified, 1.2 Site location • to meet the needs for archaeological conservation and The development area is located on the south western recording without unnecessary delay or disturbance outskirts of Newtonmore. It is bordered to the north- to the development project.

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site boundary trench pit furrow modern drain cut modern cut

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Illus 2 Evaluation trench plan Station Road, Newtonmore SRNH10 Headland Archaeology Ltd

Machine evaluation

The proposed development area comprised c.39579m². A 5% sample of the area was scheduled to be evaluated amounting to 1979m² or 989m of linear trench 2m wide. Evaluation trenches were laid out to provide coverage across the application area and any topographic features or areas that were thought to have archaeological potential.

A mechanical excavator equipped with a flat-bladed ditching bucket was used to remove topsoil under direct archaeological control. Excavation continued until clean geological sediments, significant archaeological deposits or structures were encountered or until the limit of safe excavation (1m) was reached. Only Illus 3 trenches less than 1m and considered safe Field conditions were entered by site staff.

Further excavation required to satisfy 2.2 Methodology the objectives of the evaluation was continued by hand. A representative sample, sufficient to meet the objectives of the evaluation, of identified features was investigated Desk based assessment by hand and all identified features were recorded. The stratigraphy of each trench was recorded in full. A desk based assessment of the development area was 5 undertaken prior to the evaluation, to give an indication of the archaeological potential of the proposed 2.3 Recording development area as a whole and to identify any variations to potential within it. Sources consulted included the All recording was in accordance with the code of practice Highland Council HER, the Royal Commission of of the Institute for Archaeologists. All trenches and Ancient and Historic Monuments Scotland and the contexts were given unique numbers and all recording National Library of Scotland for cartographic references. was undertaken on pro forma record cards that conform The results of these were used to inform the location of to accepted archaeological norms. All stratigraphic the trial trenches in the evaluation. relationships were recorded.

An overall site plan at an appropriate scale and relative to the National Grid was recorded by digital survey using a total station linked to an onsite PC equipped with CAD software.

A full photographic record including colour slide and colour print photographs was taken, supplemented with digital photography. A metric scale was clearly visible in record photographs of contexts.

3. RESULTS

3.1 Desk based assessment

The NMRS holds no records of cultural heritage interest within the boundaries of the proposed development. Illus 4

the boundary of the proposed development a number of Environment 2010). At a site located 0.6km south-west sites of cultural heritage interest were identified. of the development, just out with the study area, human remains were discovered in 1826. The site was known Located 150m south west of the development site to have previously held gallows (NN79N W.3) between is a possible prehistoric cairn (NN79NW.48), and 1694 and 1748. approximately 300m north of the development site, prehistoric pottery and lithic evidence (NN79NW.56) There has been little change within the study area between 6 were recovered. These were discovered close to the the 1st Edition, 1874 Ordnance Survey (OS) map and the supposed site of a temporary Roman camp (NN79NW.2). 1912 Bartholomew Survey Atlas of Scotland. The town A late Bronze Age bronze socketed axe is also recorded of Newtonmore has developed in the recent past, but the as being discovered within the study area. Outwith the area of development has remained unchanged with the study area, possible hut circles of later prehistoric date exception of some modern field boundaries. Both Station were identified approximately 1.5km to the south of the Road and Perth road have not been altered since the 1st proposed development. Edition OS Map. Newtonmore does not appear on Roy’s military map of 1747–55. South-west of Newtonmore lays the battle site of the Battle of Invernahavon. This battle was fought between two local clans over rent disagreements and is thought 3.2 Evaluation to have taken place in 1386 (Highland Council Historic A total of twenty-one trenches were excavated designed to provide coverage across the site of the development (Illus 2). Once completed, the total trenching amounted to 1000m. The trenches were orientated in a variety of ways with the maximum trench measuring 50m. Full trench descriptions, including orientation and length, can be found in Appendix 1.

The soil profile comprised between 0.4m and 0.6m of dark brown loose clay sand topsoil over geological deposits of pale yellow sandy clay as well as areas of brown sandy gravel. Geological deposits of mid brownish orange sandy clay were also noted in Trenches 01 & 02. These were noted at the break of slopes within the landscape and were most likely due to colluvial activity.

A number of modern features were identified during the Illus 6 evaluation. The features identified included plough marks, Example of investigated modern pit [003] Station Road, Newtonmore SRNH10 Headland Archaeology Ltd

field drains, and furrows, as well as a pit containing a fragment of modern china discovered within Trench 16.

Two field drains, orientated NE-SE, were present in Trench 01 with a width of 0.8m and a backfill of modern yellow sand and gravel. The full extent of these was unknown as they only appeared within Trench 01.

Evidence of agricultural furrows was present within Trenches 03, 08, 09, 13, 18 & 20. The furrows were typically 1m in width with a backfill of brown grey loose clay, similar to the topsoil. A sample was investigated in Trench 08 which demonstrated the furrow [001] to be of a shallow nature with a depth of 0.15m and a mostly undefined edge. The furrows were orientated in a variety of directions and interference from burrowing in the area made the furrows quite vague.

Other features within the development area included three areas of disturbance which were not clearly defined but appeared to be large machined cuts backfilled with poorly sorted topsoil and Illus 7 7 geological sands. No other archaeological Trench 21 – typical results of trenching features or finds were present within these trenches.

4. DISCUSSION 5. REFERENCES

Despite the archaeological potential of the site, the twenty-one trenches excavated within the development area only produced evidence, in the form of pits and 5.1 Bibliographic sources furrows, for recent activity. The furrows provide direct Brown Johnston, J, 1903, Place names of Scotland, Kessinger evidence of agricultural activity on site and although the Publishing. use of pits is unclear it is likely that they relate to similar activity. 5.2 Cartographic sources The presence of furrows and plough marks could be a contributing factor to the relative paucity of archaeological The following maps, held by the National Library of features, many of which may have been eroded away by Scotland, were consulted: continuous ploughing over a large period of time. 1912, Bartholomew, J G, Survey Atlas of Scotland, Plate 40. 1874, Ordnance Survey, 1st Edition, Kingussie, Sheet 64.

5.3 Internet sources RCAHMS – PASTMAP accessed 15 October 2010-11-09. Highland Council Historic Environment, Record of Battle Site, Invernahavon, , accessed 8 November 2010. © Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd 2011 6. aPPENDICES

6.1 Appendix 1 – Site registers

Trench register

Trench Orientation Description Lenght Average no. (m) depth (m)

01 NNW-SSE Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying geological subsoil of pale yellow sand clay with a 50 0.6 sparse small stone inclusion. In some areas, a mid brown orange sand clay is also present below the topsoil (at the base of slope).

02 NNE-SSW Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying geological subsoil of pale yellow sand clay with a 50 0.7 sparse small stone inclusion. In some areas, a mid brown orange sand clay is also present below the topsoil (at the base of slope).

03 WNW-ESE Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying geological subsoil of pale yellow sand clay with 50 0.6 a sparse small stone inclusion as well as orange brown sand gravel with a large stone inclusion.

04 NW-SE Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying a geological subsoil of pale yellow brown sand 24 0.3 gravel with a large stone inclusion.

05 ESE-WNW Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying geological subsoil of pale yellow brown sand 50 0.6 gravel with a large stone inclusion and yellow brown sand clay.

06 NW-SE Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying geological subsoil of pale brown sand clay and 50 0.5 orange sand gravel.

07 NNW-SSE Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying geological subsoil of pale yellow brown sand 50 0.5 gravel with a large stone inclusion and yellow brown sand clay.

08 SW-NE Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying geological subsoil of pale yellow sand clay with a 50 0.6 8 sparse small stone inclusion. 09 SSW-NNE Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying geological subsoil of pale yellow brown sand 50 0.6 gravel with a large stone inclusion and yellow brown sand clay.

10 SE-NW Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying geological subsoil of pale brown sand clay and 50 0.5 orange sand gravel.

11 SSW-NNE Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying geological subsoil of pale yellow brown sand 51 0.5 gravel with a large stone inclusion and yellow brown sand clay.

12 SE-NW Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying a geological subsoil of pale yellow brown sand 50 0.4 gravel with a medium stone inclusion.

13 E-W Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying geological subsoil of pale yellow sand clay with a 50 0.45 sparse small stone inclusion.

14 SE-NW Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying geological subsoil of pale yellow sand clay with a 50 0.4 sparse small stone inclusion.

15 N-S Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying geological subsoil of pale orange brown sand 50 0.45 gravel and brown yellow sand clay.

16 NE-SW Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying geological subsoil of yellow brown sandy clay 50 0.5 with lenses of very stoney brown sand gravel

17 N-S Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying geological subsoil of yellow brown sandy clay 50 0.45 with lenses of very stoney brown sand gravel

18 NNW-SSE Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying a geological subsoil of pale yellow brown sand 50 0.4 clay.

19 NNW-SSE Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying geological subsoil of yellow brown sandy clay 25 0.35 with lenses of brown sand gravel

20 E-W Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying a geological subsoil of pale yellow brown sand 50 0.4 clay.

21 WNW-ESE Topsoil of dark brown sandy clay overlying a geological subsoil of pale yellow brown sand 50 0.45 clay. Station Road, Newtonmore SRNH10 Headland Archaeology Ltd

Context register

Context no. Area Description

001 T8 Cut of plough furrow

002 T8 Fill of plough furrow [001]

003 T16 Cut of modern pit

004 T16 Fill of pit [003]

Photographic register

Photo Direction Description no. facing

001 – ID Shot

002 NE Pre-condition survey of evaluation area

003 SE Pre-condition survey of evaluation area

004 W Pre-condition survey of evaluation area

005 SW Pre-condition survey of evaluation area

006 E Pre-condition survey of evaluation area

007 E Pre-condition survey of evaluation area

008 S Pre-condition survey of evaluation area

009 W Pre-condition survey of evaluation area 010 SW Pre-condition survey of evaluation area 9 011 SW Pre-condition survey of evaluation area

012 NE Pre-condition survey of evaluation area

013 SE Post-ex shot of Trench 01

014 SE Shot of modern drain cut

015 NW Post-ex shot of Trench 01

016 NW SE facing section of Trench 02 (7m from north end)

017 S Post-ex shot of Trench 02

018 N Post-ex shot of Trench 02

019 NW Post-ex shot of Trench 03

020 SE Post-ex shot of Trench 03

021 S Post-ex shot of Trench 04

022 N Post-ex shot of Trench 04

023 W Post-ex shot of Trench 05

024 E Post-ex shot of Trench 05

025 SE Post-ex shot of Trench 06

026 NW Post-ex shot of Trench 06

027 S Post-ex shot of Trench 07

028 N Post-ex shot of Trench 07

029 E Post-ex shot of Trench 08

030 W Post-ex shot of Trench 08 © Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd 2011 Photo Direction Description no. facing

031 S Shot of slot through plough furrow [001]

032 SW Post-ex shot of Trench 09

033 NE Post-ex shot of Trench 09

034 SE Post-ex shot of Trench 10

035 NW Post-ex shot of Trench 10

036 N Working Shot

037 N Working Shot

038 NE Post-ex shot of Trench 11

039 SW Post-ex shot of Trench 11

040 NW Post-ex shot of Trench 12

041 SE Post-ex shot of Trench 12

042 WNW Post-ex shot of Trench 13

043 ESE Post-ex shot of Trench 13

044 N Post-ex shot of Trench 14

045 S Post-ex shot of Trench 14

046 NNE Post-ex shot of Trench 15

047 SSW Post-ex shot of Trench 15

048 W Post-ex shot of Trench 16

049 E Post-ex shot of Trench 16 10 050 E Post-ex shot of pit [003] in Trench 16 051 SSW Post-ex shot of Trench 17

052 NNE Post-ex shot of Trench 17

053 S Post-ex shot of Trench 18

054 N Post-ex shot of Trench 18

055 SSW Post-ex shot of Trench 19

056 NNE Post-ex shot of Trench 19

057 WNW Post-ex shot of Trench 20

058 ESE Post-ex shot of Trench 20

059 SW Post-ex shot of Trench 21

060 NE Post-ex shot of Trench 21

061 – Burrows

062 – Burrows

063 – Large burrow in Trench 21

064 – Working shot of evaluation area (post-ex)

065 – Working shot of evaluation area (post-ex)

066 – Working shot of evaluation area (post-ex)

067 – Working shot of evaluation area (post-ex)

068 – Working shot of evaluation area (post-ex) Station Road, Newtonmore SRNH10 Headland Archaeology Ltd

6.2 Appendix 2 – List of NMRS reference numbers

The National Monuments Record of Scotland (NMRS) holds records of 32 sites within a 500m radius of the proposed development area. These are listed in the table below.

NMRS Name Site type reference no.

NN79NW.11 Newtonmore, Tom Na Tilleadh Socketed Axehead (Bronze)

NN79NW.12 Newtonmore Hotel Hotel

NN79NW.2 Newtonmore (alternative: Bridge of Spey, Pitmain) Temporary Camp (Roman) (Possible)

NN79NW.3 Newtonmore, Tom A’ Chrochair Gallows, Human Remains

NN79NW.4 Newtonmore, St Bridget’s Chapel Burial Ground, Chapel

NN79NW.15 Newtonmore Railway Station Railway Station

NN79NW.26 Newtonmore, Spey Bridge (alternative:Newtonmore Road Bridge Bridge, River Spey)

NN79NW.27 Newtonmore, general Town

NN79NW.25 Newtonmore, Calder Bridge Road Bridge

NN79NW.29 Newtonmore, Balavil Arms Hotel Hotel

NN79NW.31 Newtonmore, Railway Viaduct Railway Viaduct

NN79NW.33 Newtonmore, Craigmhor Hotel Hotel

NN79NW.34 Newtonmore, Glenbanchor Estate, Banchor Lodge Hunting Lodge

NN79NW.40 Newtonmore Building(s), Enclosure(s)

NN79NW.35 Newtonmore (alternative: Cnoc A’ Ghuail) Farmstead

NN79NW.48 Newtonmore Cairn

NN78NW.49 Banchor, Limekiln Building, Lime Kiln

NN79NW.50 Tigh Bhadain Farmstead

NN79NW.9.4 Milton of Glenbanchor Building(s), Enclosure(s) Hut

NN79NW.9.5 Milton of Glenbanchor Cairnfield, Cultivation remains, head dyke

NN79NW.55 Beallid Farmhouse, Farmstead

NN79NW.56 Newtonmore, Laggan Road Cairn(s), Lithic Implement(s), unidentified pottery

NN79NW.58 Newtonmore, Old Spey Bridge Road Bridge

NN79NW.60 Newtonmore, Main Street, Newtonmore Primary School School

NN79NW.61 Newtonmore, Perth Road, Chef’s Grill Diner Restaurant

NN79NW.62 Newtonmore, Glen Road, St Bride’s Parish Church Parish Church

NN79NW.63 Newtonmore Village Hall Village Hall

NN79NW.64 Newtonmore, Golf Course Road, Golf Club House Golf Club

NN79NW.65 Newtonmore War Memorial War Memorial

NN79NW.66 Newtonmore, The Glen Hotel Hotel

NN79NW.67 Newtonmore, Police Station Police Station

NN79NW.68 Newtonmore, Main Street, Glen Balloch, Lybeg Unknown © Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd 2011 6.3 Appendix 3 – DES entry

LOCAL AUTHORITY Highland Council

PROJECT TITLE/SITE NAME Station Road, Newtonmore

PROJECT CODE SRNH10

PARISH Kingussie and Insh

NAME OF CONTRIBUTOR(S) Nuala C. Marshall

NAME OF ORGANISATION Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd

TYPE(S) OF PROJECT Evaluation

NMRS NO(S) N/A

SITE/MONUMENT TYPE(S) –

SIGNIFICANT FINDS None

NGR NN 71156 98558

START DATE (this season) 18/10/10

END DATE (this season) 20/10/10

PREVIOUS WORK (incl. DES ref.) none

MAIN (NARRATIVE) DESCRIPTION Headland Archaeology Ltd conducted an evaluation at a proposed housing development site off (May include information from other Station Road, Newtonmore in order to satisfy a planning condition placed by Highland Council. fields) The work was commissioned by Argyll Developments Scotland Limited with a specification for the work agreed with Highland Council Archaeology Unit.

Within the area of the development, twenty-one trenches were excavated providing a 5% sample, and no archaeological features, deposits or artifacts of significance were revealed during these investigations.

PROPOSED FUTURE WORK None 12 ARCHIVE LOCATION (intended/deposited) Archive to be deposited in NMRS. Reports to be deposited with NMRS and HCAU

SPONSOR OR FUNDING BODY Argyll Developments Scotland Limited

CAPTION(S) FOR ILLUSTRS –

ADDRESS OF MAIN CONTRIBUTOR Headland Archaeology Ltd, 13 Jane St, Edinburgh, EH6 5HE

North East (HQ) 13 Jane Street, Edinburgh EH6 5HE T 0131 467 7705 F 0131 467 7706 E [email protected]

North West 10 Payne Street, Glasgow G4 0LF T 0141 354 8100 F 0141 332 9388 E [email protected]

Midlands & West Unit 1, Premier Business Park, Faraday Road, Hereford HR4 9NZ T 0143 236 4901 F 0143 236 4900 E [email protected]

South & East Technology Centre, Stanbridge Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire LU7 4QH T 01525 850 878 E [email protected]