Investigations at Fortingall, Perthshire Erlend Hindmarch

61 Investigations at Fortingall, Perthshire Erlend Hindmarch

Summary

Investigations undertaken by AOC Archaeology be associated with a crop mark more clearly visible Group during 2007 in a field located immediately S of in the field to the west, which has been previously Fortingall Church, Perthshire revealed traces of a wall interpreted as a possible monastic vallum. and wall foundations positioned on the upper edge of Radiocarbon dating suggests that the excavated a river terrace, and another series of possibly related remains date to between the 7th and the 9th century larger wall foundations to the N. A small charcoal AD although dating obtained from a charcoal spread rich pit and a small isolated lens of charcoal were also suggests that its deposition could have been as late as found. It is possible that one or more of the walls may the 11th century AD.

Introduction

The site, centred on NGR NN 7410 4690, is situated Fortingall Parish Church stands to the N of the within a field on the southern edge of Fortingall village site. Although the present structure dates from 1900 between the parish church and the River Lyon (Illus it incorporates remains of a pre-Reformation church. 1). It lies at an altitude of approximately 140m on An Early Christian hand-bell of unknown origin, but land that slopes gently towards the River Lyon to stored in Fortingall Church, coupled with a possible the S via a series of river terraces. The site was under early font and cross marked stones in the churchyard pasture within a conventional regime of crop rotation support the theory that an early medieval church may during 2007. have stood at Fortingall (Bourke 1983; Robertson The archaeological programme was undertaken 1998). A yew tree growing in the churchyard is in advance of works to replace an outdated sewage believed to be between 2500 and 5000 years old, system. The northern portion of the works lay within even at the younger end of this age range it is thought the Fortingall Rectilinear Enclosure, a Scheduled to be the oldest living organism in Europe (Mukherjee Monument (Illus 2). Scheduled Monument Consent 2007; Scottish Natural Heritage; Forestry Commission for these works was granted by Historic Scotland. Scotland 2008). Fortingall Rectilinear Enclosure can be seen on The project was undertaken during July 2007 oblique aerial photographs (Illus 3), which suggest a and was designed to investigate the character, sub-rectilinear enclosure measuring approximately extent, condition, date and quality of any significant 200m from E to W with a possible second main archaeological remains encountered during the enclosure within it. Recent geophysical survey over excavation of two pipe trenches required as part of the the site has also indicated a series of further irregular sewage scheme. enclosures within the main outer boundary and an entrance and section of road near the SW corner (O’Grady 2010, 143). The Scheduled area is broader Excavated evidence measuring 310m from E to W and 185m from N to S. The function of the enclosure is unknown, although Two trenches were excavated, Trench 1 and Trench 2 it has been suggested that the outer enclosure may (Illus 2). Trench 1 was orientated NW–SE and a single be a monastic vallum (Smith 1995). deposit of banded gravel, sand and clay extended across Two further monuments are located within the the base of the trench. North of the river terrace the scheduled area. The first, Carn na Marbh the ‘Cairn natural gravel tipped beneath subsoil. The remains of of the Dead’, survives as a cairn covered with turf in a Wall (1) were identified 74m S of the northern limit the SW corner of the Scheduled area. A stone tablet of the trench, on the top of a river terrace. The wall set in concrete on the summit of the mound has an was aligned E to W (Illus 2) and survived to a height of inscription describing the tradition that plague victims two courses. It was constructed from large, unworked were buried here during the 14th century. The purpose stone blocks of various sizes ranging from 0.2m x of the mound is unknown and it may represent the re- 0.08m x 0.01m to 0.87m x 0.45m x 0.3m. A 2.5m long, use of a prehistoric barrow. The second site, located 0.45m wide section of the wall was exposed to a height 75m S of the parish church is known from aerial of 0.4m. photographs and has been interpreted as a possible A ditch (Ditch 1) immediately S of Wall 1 was filled ring ditch. with a compact deposit of orange-brown gravel and

Tayside and Fife Archaeological Journal vol 19–20 2013–2014, 61–68 62 Erlend Hindmarch

Illus 1 Site location.

sand. The ditch was sealed by a charcoal rich lens (Illus to the eastward continuation of the cropmark of the 4). Radiocarbon results from charred material within innermost of the two enclosures known through aerial this lens (context 08) indicate that the in-filling of Ditch photography (Illus 3). 1 could potentially have occurred as late as the 11th A small cut feature (Pit 1) (Illus 5) to the N of Wall century AD (Table 1). 2 contained a single fill of moderately compact, dark A second, considerably more substantial Wall (2) grey clay-silt with frequent charcoal and small gravel (Illus 5) was identified further N, 27m S of the northern inclusions. The feature had a clear U-shaped profile field boundary. Built of two parallel lines of large, and was cut through the natural gravel. Interpretation unworked and un-bonded stones in-filled with angular of the feature was hampered by the limitations of stone rubble, the wall was 1m wide and survived to a the service trench within which it was recorded and height of one course. It is possible that Wall 2 relates it could either be a sub-circular pit or the terminus Investigations at Fortingall, Perthshire 63

Illus 2 Location of works within the Scheduled Area.

of a ditch continuing eastwards beyond the limit of Modern excavation. Radiocarbon dates obtained from the fill of Pit 1 (context 20) indicate that it was back-filled A modern soakaway truncated deposits from about 3m sometime between the 7th and 9th centuries AD (Table N of Wall 1, whilst Wall 2 was found to have been cut 1). by at least two modern pipes. Both Wall 1 and the charcoal-rich lens to the S were Post-medieval found to be sealed by a 0.7m thick deposit of dark grey clay-silt topsoil. Two unstratified fragments of post-medieval pottery and one undated bovine scapula were recovered from Trench 1. 64 Erlend Hindmarch

Illus 3 Aerial photograph of the Scheduled Area.

Illus 4 West facing section through Wall 1 and Ditch 1. Investigations65 at Fortingall, Perthshire 65

Illus 5 Plan of Wall 2 and Pit 1.

Trench 2

Trench 2 extended on a NE alignment from the southern end of Trench 1, creating a V-shaped investigation area (Illus 2). Two large stones, measuring 0.9m x 0.47m x 0.14m representing the remains of an E–W aligned wall foundation (Wall 3) (Illus 6) were identified 45m from the southern end of the trench, coincidently following the southern boundary of the scheduled area (Illus 2). The stones survived as a single course, set within subsoil, with no bonding material or construction trench apparent. They could represent the base of an old boundary wall although the size of the stones may indicate a more substantial structure. A second deposit of stones, identified further N along the pipe trench may represent a demolished wall (Wall 4) (Illus 2). Subsequent excavation (Illus 7) revealed that the wall had been excavated into the side of a natural river terrace and lay within a cut that was 1m deep with angled sides and base sloping gently to the S suggesting that Wall 4 may have been a revetment, possibly associated with Wall 2 which lay on a similar alignment within Trench 1. Illus 6 Wall 3 in plan. 66 Erlend Hindmarch

No finds were retrieved from Trench 2 and no dating assays are presented in Tables 1 and 2. The dateable material was recovered from either of the dates indicate that Pit 1 was in-filled sometime in walls meaning that the features present in this trench the 7th to 9th centuries AD (context 20). The date cannot be dated with any degree of certainty. for the shallow charcoal-rich spread (context 08) is less precise, potentially dating from as late as the Radiocarbon dates 11th century. Calculation of weighted means and estimate Material suitable for radiocarbon dating was retrieved of population variance can be used to represent from two deposits within Trench 1; the charcoal-rich the hypothesis that three of the radiocarbon lens to the S of Wall 1 (Illus 3) and the fill of Pit 1 (Illus determinations (GU-17029, GU-17030 and GU- 5) and submitted for analysis. No radiocarbon dating 17031) are attempts to date a single event on the site. was undertaken for Trench 2 as no suitable material Statistical analysis establishes a date of 694–880 cal could be identified. The results of the radiocarbon AD for the event, in this case human activity.

Illus 7 East-facing section through wall 4, a possible revetment wall.

Table 1 The radiocarbon dates.

Table 2 The calibrated dates. Investigations at Fortingall, Perthshire 67

General discussion

The area around the village of Fortingall is rich in enclosure, which appears as crop mark features in archaeological sites and remains from all periods. oblique aerial photographs, and which resembles the Among the prehistoric remains are standing stones, monasterii vallum in Iona. The indicators of a link both single and in groups, including three stones in a with the early Irish church, particularly the monastery setting in a field 300m from the church. Cup-marked in Iona, have informed the interpretation of the sub- stones are also known in the area, including one large stantial linear features as being the remains of valla stone bearing 14 cup marks discovered buried in the monasterii – the large enclosure ditches and banks churchyard in 1903 (Robertson 1997, 134). surrounding early monastic sites (Smith 1995, 33). The Evidence for Early Christian activity in the Fortingall shape of the ditches at Fortingall, roughly rectangular area includes four simple cross-marked stones. As these with rounded corners, is reminiscent of the valla at stones are very common in Ireland and in Dal Riada Iona (Barber 1981, Plates 25 a and b). While the N and their presence in Scotland implies Irish influence and W segments of the vallum at Iona are clear, either being probably gives a rough indication of the spread of visible on the ground or in oblique aerial photographs Christianity in Pictland (Robertson 1997, 135). Massive (Barber 1981) there remains some dispute about the ancient fonts such as the one at Fortingall are typically southern limits of the monastic enclosure (Barber found in churches with early medieval origins. 1981). It is therefore difficult to estimate the size of Further evidence of a link with early Irish Christianity area enclosed by the vallum, but if we accept Barber’s can be found in the ancient hand-bell, made from a single (1981, 363) evidence then the valla enclose a rectilinear sheet of iron, coated in bronze (Bourke 1983), currently area of between 5.25 and 6.5 ha, depending on which stored in Fortingall Church (Clouston 1992). The use of southern vallum line is accepted. The dimensions (of hand- bells in Scotland can be attributed to the influence the smaller enclosure suggested by Barber (1981)) are of the Irish church, in particular the Columban church approximately 330m N–S by approximately 170m (ibid). In Ireland, iron hand-bells were associated with E–W. The rectilinear enclosure at Fortingall is of a the monastic church while hand-bells made of bronze similar size, being 310m from its easternmost point to appear to have been used by the smaller churches. In its westernmost point and a maximum of 185m from addition to the Fortingall bell, two others have been N to S (Historic Scotland 1999), thus enclosing an area found in Glen Lyon, at Balnahannait and Kerriemore. of around 5.7ha. In both cases exact measurements A possible third bell is suggested by the place name are not possible due to the poor survival of some ‘Radhar a’ Chluig’, which translates as ‘the outfield of of the boundary features. the bell’, at Cladh Chunna (Robertson 1997; Watson If it is accepted that the construction of a major 1939). This is the densest concentration of these artefacts earthwork, related to the monastic settlement, would in Scotland (Bourke 1983, Fig 1), and argues strongly for not take place until the Christian community had a direct involvement on the part of the Columban monks fully established itself and grown to a reasonable size in this region. (Barber 1981) then the radiocarbon date indicating the There are other strong indications of close links infilling of Pit 1 during 7th to 9th centuries seems to fit between Fortingall and Iona in Early Christian times. well. Establishing the full extent, nature and character The church at Fortingall was dedicated to Coeti of Pit 1 and in particular whether it is in fact a ditch (Coeddi), Bishop of Iona, who died in 712. This terminus, would increase our understanding of the somewhat obscure, yet historically attested, holy man putative monastery at Fortingall. This would only had three churches dedicated to him, all of which are be possible with further excavation. in Upper Strathtay. Taylor (1997, 61) argues that the The excavation produced no sign of a structure presence of a local cult devoted to a comparatively of sufficient magnitude to be amonasterii vallum, unknown priest, who did not enjoy great fame or instead both evidence of the excavation, and aerial prestige after his death indicates the contemporary photographs suggest that a small wall (Wall 2/Wall 4) presence of the man, or closely associated clergy, in may be responsible for the cropmark of the inner-most the area. The church at Dull, also in Glen Lyon, 6.5km of two rectilinear enclosures. Whilst the function of E of Fortingall, was dedicated to St Adomnán, the 9th this enclosure remains unclear, it certainly does not Abbot of Iona, who died in 704. There are more place- resemble the massive ditch and bank that comprise the names related to Adomnán (local name Eodhnan) in vallum in Iona. Atholl, particularly in Glen Lyon, than anywhere else Aerial photography records considerable differences in Scotland (Robertson 1997, 136). Local traditions in the strength of the crop marks with the strongest about the saint survived in Glen Lyon until the late responses confined to the field to the W of the 2007 19th century (ibid, 136). It is possible that Adomnán excavation. It is clear from the form of the crop marks and Coeti visited Glen Lyon together, although there within this western field that the features revealed in is no mention of this in surviving written sources all probability continue to the E although cropmarks (Robertson 1997). are absent from the eastern field, where the excavation Arguably the most convincing evidence for close was undertaken. The excavated features can be seen links between Fortingall and Iona is the rectilinear to broadly relate to the alignment of cropmarks, Walls 68 Erlend Hindmarch

1 and 3, may relate to the larger outer enclosure, as References potentially could Ditch 1, whilst Wall 2 may represent the eastward continuation of the inner enclosure. Barber, J W 1981 ‘Excavations on Iona, 1979 [: the The alignment of Wall 2 and the inner enclosure is vallum and organic materials], Proc Soc Antiq Scot intriguing as it is broadly respected by the line of the 111, 282–380. later churchyard wall and public road to the east, a Bourke, C 1983 ‘The hand-bells of the early Scottish possible continuation in the landscape, which would church’, Proc Soc Antiq Scot 113 (1983), 464–468. surely lend further weight to the suggestion that the Clouston, R W M 1992 ‘The bells of Perthshire’, Proc enclosures relate to an early Christian community. Soc Antiq Scot 122. Forestry Commission Scotland 2008 ‘The Fortingall Yew’, http://www.treefestscotland.org.uk/ Conclusion forestrvJlNFD6UFC5F. Historic Scotland 1999 ‘The Ancient Monuments and The historic landscape evidence suggests that an early Archaeological Areas Act 1979, Entry in the Schedule church was likely established in Fortingall as part of a of Monuments – Re: The monument known as larger movement from the West to establish churches Fortingall, rectilinear enclosure SW of, and possibly monastic settlements in the Glen Lyon in the Parish of Fortingall and County of Perth’. area in early medieval times, and along with place- http://hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk/eschedule/SHOW?ID8123, name evidence supports connections with Iona, in accessed 29/09/08. particular with Adomnán and Coeti, abbot and bishop Mukherjee, S 2007 Mapping nature’s ancient monuments, in Iona in the early years of the 8th century. In addition, BBC news, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6247774.stm the presence of a bronze coated iron hand-bell and accessed 1/10/08. cross-marked stones indicates early Irish Christian O’Grady, O J T 2010 ‘Fortingall geophysical survey’, evidence at Fortingall. This has led to the interpretation Discovery Excav Scot, 2010, 143. of a rectilinear enclosure, which appears as cropmarks Robertson, N M 1997 ‘The Early Medieval Carved Stones in oblique aerial photographs, as a possible monastic of Fortingall’, in Henry, D The Worm, The Germ and vallum potentially similar to that on Iona. The area the Thorn: Pictish and Related Studies Presented to has been scheduled as an ancient monument and Isabel Henderson, 133–148, Pinkfoot Press, Forfar. incorporates Carn na Marbh, a possible cairn re-used Scottish Natural Heritage ‘Veteran trees’ as a post-medieval memorial to traditions of 14th- http://www.snh.org.uk/publications/online/ century plague victims as well as a possible ring ditch. heritagemanagement/woodpasture/Veterantrees.asp, Investigations within the scheduled area resulting accessed 01/10/08 from the replacement of sewage pipes revealed traces Smith, I 1995 ‘The origins and development of of wall foundations, a ditch and a possible pit or Christianity in Northern Britain and Southern ditch terminus. The excavations did not reveal a large Pictland’, in J Blair and C Pyrah, Church Archaeology: structure of the magnitude of the vallum at Iona. Research Directions for the Future, (CBA Research No evidence of a monastic vallum was found but the Report 104). substantial nature of Wall 2 could be indicative of a Taylor, S 1997 ‘Seventh Century Iona abbots in Scottish large structure, constructed to demarcate what may Place names’, Innes Review 48, no 1, 45- 72. have been a monastic site. Watson, W J 1939 ‘Place names of Perthshire. The Lyon Basin’ Trans Gaelic Soc Inverness 35, 287.

Acknowledgements Abstract AOC Archaeology Group would like to thank lain Archaeological investigations within the scheduled area Wotherspoon of Glenlyon House, Fortingall for around Fortingall rectilinear enclosure revealed traces funding both the excavation and the post-excavation of wall foundations, a ditch and a possible pit or ditch stages of the work. Special thanks are due to Dr Iona terminus. No irrefutable evidence of a monastic vallum Murray and Dr Ann MacSween of Historic Scotland was found but the substantial nature of Wall 2 could be and David Strachan of Perth and Kinross Heritage indicative of a large structure, constructed to demarcate Trust. Thanks are due to Gemma Cruikshank who what may have been a monastic site. worked on the excavations and to John Gooder and Ciara Clarke for managing the project. John Barber Keywords commented on the paper and Jennifer Thoms, Ciara Fortingall Clarke and Thomas Bradley-Lovekin edited the text. monastic site Oliver O’Grady is thanked for his constructive criticism rectilinear enclosure and the discussion of elements of interpretation in radiocarbon dates the paper. wall foundations

This paper was published with the aid of a grant from Iain Wotherspoon.