Client: Colin Armstrong Associates on behalf of Slioch Ltd. Date: December 2009

Archaeological Recording of Wester Steading, , for a Proposed Development.

Written by: Stuart Farrell Planning Ref. 08/00255/FULIN

Stuart Farrell – Wester Drakies Steading, Culcabock, Inverness.

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. BACKGROUND

3. METHODS

4. RESULTS

5. DISCUSSION

6. RECOMMENDATIONS

7. REFERENCES

8. ARCHIVE

9. DES

Figure 1 Site location. Figure 2 Site Plan Figure 3 1st Edition Ordnance Survey of 1871. Figure 4 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey of 1904. Figure 5 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey of 1930. Figure 6 Ordnance Survey map of 1972. Figure 7 Plan with location & direction of photographs.

Appendix 1 Council Specification Appendix 2 Photographic Register

The author was commissioned in December 2009 by Colin Armstrong Associates on behalf of Slioch Ltd to undertake a project of a photographic Survey to be undertaken prior to the demolition of Wester Drakies Steading, Culcabock, Inverness as a condition of planning by Highland Council. The Steading dates from the late 18th or very early 19th century and has seen some alterations throughout its use, but with some of the original features being intact. Only partial access to building was possible due to it being in a dangerous state. Recommend that photographs be taken during demolition.

2 Stuart Farrell – Wester Drakies Steading, Culcabock, Inverness.

Figure 1 – General Location © Ordnance Survey. Licence no. 100041016

3 Stuart Farrell – Wester Drakies Steading, Culcabock, Inverness.

Figure 2 – Site Plan. © Colin Armstrong Associates.

4 Stuart Farrell – Wester Drakies Steading, Culcabock, Inverness.

Figure 3 – 1st Edition Ordnance Survey of 1871. © Ordnance Survey. Licence no. 100041016.

Figure 4 – 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey of 1904. © Ordnance Survey. Licence no. 100041016.

5 Stuart Farrell – Wester Drakies Steading, Culcabock, Inverness.

Figure 5 – 3rd Edition Ordnance Survey of 1930. © Ordnance Survey. Licence no. 100041016.

Figure 6 – Ordnance Survey Sheet NH6844/6944 of 1972. © Ordnance Survey. Licence no. 100041016.

6 Stuart Farrell – Wester Drakies Steading, Culcabock, Inverness.

Figure 7 - Plan with location & direction of photographs.

7 Stuart Farrell – Wester Drakies Steading, Culcabock, Inverness.

1. INTRODUCTION A desk-based assessment and Photographic Survey was carried out by the author for Colin Armstrong Associates on behalf of Slioch Ltd required as part of a planning application. The proposed development site is an existing building located at Wester Drakies, Culcabock, Inverness.

The work was required as part of planning condition no.13 by Highland Council Planning Department (ref. 08/00255/FULIN) which stated:

Prior to the commencement of development a photographic record shall be made of the remains of the old buildings and / or other features affected by the proposed development, in accordance with the attached specification, and thereafter be submitted to the Planning Authority. No site clearance work shall take place until confirmation in writing has been received from the Planning Authority that the record made has been lodged and is satisfactory.

Reason: To protect the historic interest of the site.

2. BACKGROUND The steading is located directly north of the existing public road, off Thistle Road, Culcabock. The former farmhouse of Wester Drakies has been completely modernised and is now 2 houses. The Steading is in a poor condition.

Drakies House is depicted on Roy’s Military map of 1745-55 and on John Thomson’s map of Inverness of 1830. Neither indicates the farm. Both House and Farm are not marked on John Home’s map of Inverness of 1774 or John Wood’s map of Inverness of 1822. The farm is depicted on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey (published 1871, surveyed 1868) (see figure 3) as a U-shaped roofed building with farmhouse to E. Ground to N is marked as woodland. By the 2nd edition OS map of 1904 (revised 1902-3) (see figure 4) the farm is unchanged, though a small structure is depicted in the courtyard. By the 3rd edition OS of 1930 (revised 1929) (see figure 5) the farm has seen a number of changes. Two structures are shown to the E side of the courtyard, whilst a structure has been added to the NW corner. A number of small structures have been built to the N of the steading. Part of the woodland to the N is gone and shown as open ground. To the W is a gravel pit. By the OS map of 1972 (revised c1969-71) (see figure 6) The buildings of the steadings are the same, whilst the structures to the N have been removed and replaced with a larger building, with small structures to the E and a structure to the NE. The gravel pit to the W is gone. The latest site plan (see figure 2) shows only the structure to the NW and a partial structure to the N.

8 Stuart Farrell – Wester Drakies Steading, Culcabock, Inverness.

The farm is listed in the Census Record’s for the parish of Inverness from 1851 to 1871 (not listed in 1841, but may have been included under Drakies) with occupiers as follows: 1841 Census – Not listed.

1851 Census – Wester Drakies Duncan Garden Head 34 Farmer of 70 acres employing 2 labourers Madeline Garden Wife 33 Wife John Garden Son 8 Scholar Donald Garden Son 5 Scholar David Garden Son 2 Duncan Garden Son 1 Peter Chisholm Servant 22 Ploughman Andrew Josse Servant 18 Ploughman Ann Ross Servant 25 House Servant Margaret Mckenzie Servant 20 House Servant

1861 Census – Wester Drakies James Fraser Head 55 Farmer of 60 acres Mary Fraser Wife 53 Wife Duncan Fraser Son 17 Simon Fraser Son 15 Margaret McKenzie Servant 18 Domestic Servant Christy McGillioney Servant 16 Domestic Servant

1871 Census- Wester Drakies James Fraser Head 64 Farmer of 35 acres arable Mary Fraser Wife 62 Wife Duncan Fraser Son 27 Simon Fraser Son 25 Betsy Arant Servant 39 Domestic Servant Jessie Fraser Servant 12 Domestic Servant John MacDonald Servant 27 Shepherd Jessie MacKinzie Servant 23 Domestic Servant

Wester Drakies not listed in 1881 to 1901 census. There is a Duncan Fraser listed as Drakies Farm House in the 1891 census but his age does not correlate to D Fraser in 1871 census.

County Valuation Rolls from 1870 were available for consultation in The Highland Council Archives. They list (on search of ten years apart) the following owners and tenants: 1870-71 Owner – Eneas W Mackintosh of , M.P; per Donald Davidson, Invss. Tenant – John MacTavish Rent - £ 30

9 Stuart Farrell – Wester Drakies Steading, Culcabock, Inverness.

1880-81 Owner – Eneas W Mackintosh of Raigmore, M.P; per Davidson & Scott, Solicitors. Tenant – John MacTavish Rent - £ 30

1890-91 Owner – Eneas W Mackintosh of Raigmore, M.P; per Davidson & Scott, Solicitors. Tenant – Duncan Fraser, farmer Rent - £ 140

1900-01 Owner – Eneas W Mackintosh of Raigmore, M.P; per Roderick Scott, Solicitor. Tenant – Wm Winwood Mackintosh Rent - £ 100

1910-11 Owner – Trustees of the late Eneas W Mackintosh of Raigmore, M.P; per Roderick Scott, Solicitor. Tenant – Wm Winwood Mackintosh Rent - £ 140

1920-21 Owner – Neil MacDonald of Raigmore per D F MacDonald, Solicitor. Tenant – William Macallister Rent - £217.17.6

1930-31 Owner – Neil MacDonald of Raigmore per D F MacDonald, Solicitor. Tenant – William Macallister Rent - £64

1940-41 Owner – Neil MacDonald of Raigmore per D F MacDonald, Solicitor. Tenant – Angus Matheson Rent - £ 141.17.6

1950-51 Owner – Reps of Wm Winwood Mackintosh of Raigmore per Davidson, Scott & Co, Solicitors. Tenant – Reps of Angus Matheson Rent - £ 57.17.6

1960-61 Owner – Trustees of the late Mary Mackintosh of Raigmore per Davidson, Scott & Co, Solicitors. Tenant – Reps of Angus Matheson Rent - £ 30.

Not listed in Valuation Roll for 1970-71.

10 Stuart Farrell – Wester Drakies Steading, Culcabock, Inverness.

No estate papers for Mackintosh of Raigmore who owned Wester Drakies from circa 1820 are recorded in the Highland Council Archives or the National Register of Archives Scotland.

The following items are listed for Wester Drakies by the National Archives of Scotland: - GD23/4/138 - Discharge by Gilbert Gordon, merchant and late bailie of Inverness, to James Kinaird [Kinnaird], merchant there, for part of the price of the lands of Wester Drakies, lying within the territory of the said burgh. 11/2/1738 Receipt endorsed, dated 2nd December 1738, for £112 10s sterling, in part of the balance of the above. - GD23/4/196 - Tack, by Anne Kinnaird, daughter of deceased James Kinnaird of Wester Draikies, merchant and bailie of Inverness, and Robert Sandilands, her husband, son of deceased John Sandilands of Craibston, to William Kennedy alias McGillandrish in Wester Draikies, of the portions presently possessed by him of the town and lands of Wester Drakies in the parish and sheriffdom of Inverness. 17 & 23 April 1766. - GD23/4/197 - Tack by Anne Kinnaird and her husband [as in preceding] to John Fraser alias Gow, and others, all in Wester Drakies, of 'the Coul' and other portions of the lands of Wester Drakies. 17 & 23 April 1766. - GD23/6/97 - Letters, Alexander Mckintosh [McIntosh] [of Blervie] to Bailie Gilbert Gordon, Inverness, one desiring postponement of payment of an account, the other intimating the said Alexander's intention of selling his houses at Inverness and lands of Wester Drakes [Drakies], and asking the said Gilbert Gordon, with Bailie Mackintosh if possible, to come to receive his directions thereanent. From Inverness and Blarvie. 17 Nov 1730-27 Feb 1735 - GD23/6/244 - Letter, Colquhoun Grant to Duncan Grant, writer, Inverness, informing him, in relation to claim by the said Duncan Grant and Provost Chisolm [Chisholm] on Lord Torpichen [Torphichen], of a communication by the latter's agent, Mathew Sandilands, that it had been resolved to sell the lands of Wester Drakies. From Edinburgh. 16/9/1780. - GD23/10/308 - Discharge by Gillies Mcbean of Wester Drakies, to Alexander Fraser of Kinnerres [Kinnaries], for 100 merks Scots in part payment of the sum of 1100 merks as contained in his bond, dated 5th April 1678. 19/3/1691. - GD133/20 - Titles (3) of the lands of Wester or Little Drakies, sometime pertaining to John McIntosh, merchant, bailie of Inverness, later to Gilbert Gordon, merchant, bailie thereof, and later to Robert Sandilands, advocate at Aberdeen. 1695-1770. - GD133/64 - Tack of lands in Wester Drakies to William Kennedy alias McGillandrish there. 3 Apr 1766. - GD128/19/5 - Papers relating to Drakie, including two copies of sketch plan, 1821, mainly prior to purchase by Raigmore. - RHP12362 - Plan of the lands of Drakies, as they belonged to the deceased Robert Gordon. 1810.

From the above list the lands of Wester Draikie (also known as Little Draikie) changed hands a few times in the late 17th and 18th centuries until being acquired by Mackintosh of Raigmore in the early years of the 19th century. The last two items may have information on the farm and will be studied to include the evaluation report.

11 Stuart Farrell – Wester Drakies Steading, Culcabock, Inverness.

3. METHODOLOGY The Photographic Survey as requested by Highland Council Archaeology Unit was undertaken as per the brief (see appendix 1) with a written account of the building’s form, function, age and development sequence. A comprehensive photographic survey was undertaken (see list in Appendix 2).

4. RESULTS The survey of the building was undertaken on Wednesday the 9th December 2009. The building has two main phases - firstly that of a steading and secondly the alterations thereof.

Steading – The steading is u-shaped in plan, built of pink/red sandstone rubble with squared quoins, with lime wash and a slate roof, with a series of skylights. The South wing on its South elevation central door way at ground level and has a loft barn above with 2 doorways and 2 wooden horizontal vents, in the walls are two vertical vents (1.34m in height and 10cm wide). There is also to the South-East corner a machine strut of unknown use. Another vertical vent is in the South-East gable with a single window (partly blocked). The north elevation of this wing has two horizontal vents in alignment with those to the South and another vertical vent and a doorway; and is probably a malt barn. Another door to SW. No access available to building. The Central block is East facing of 2 cart sheds, with window (blocked) on earlier doorway. To the rear on the West Elevation is a blocked up doorway, over which is a cast-iron down pipe. No access available to building. To the North-West and West side is a corrugated-iron over timber frame leanto structure. Ornamental tiles to roof line, which is state of collapse to SW. The North wing has on its South side 2 doorways, with skylights at roof edge, possibly living quarters, though no chimney. The North-East gable has a single doorway. Access revealed area of storage, roof trusses visible as machine-cut. To the North-West corner a later door has been inserted, probably to form a garage. No access available to building; roof here in state of collapse.

Buildings on the outside – The small building on the N side of the steading was of a concrete base, possibly for a greenhouse. No trace of the structure to the NE as marked on OS of 1972. – The house to the E is harled with a slate roof, completely modernised and now two houses, with tarmac all-around.

12 Stuart Farrell – Wester Drakies Steading, Culcabock, Inverness.

5. DISCUSSION The Steading which dates from the late 18th or early 19th century has been altered. At sometime it has had a new roof installed (machine cut timber) with alterations to earlier work (blocked up doors) and probably when loft was added above barn.

6. RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that because access was not available to the buildings, due to their dangerous condition that a photographic record be made of its demolition.

7. REFERENCES

1st Edition Ordnance Survey 1:2500 Inverness-shire sheet 12.2 surveyed 1868 published 1871.

2nd Edition Ordnance Survey 1:2500 Inverness-shire sheet 12.2 revised 1902-3 published 1904.

3rd Edition Ordnance Survey 1:2500 Inverness-shire sheet 12.2 revised 1929 published 1930. Ordnance Survey 1:2500 sheet NH6844, 6944 c 1972. Roy’s Military Map of Scotland 1745-55. John Hume’s Plan of Inverness 1774. John Wood’s Plan of Inverness 1822. John Thomson’s Plan of Inverness-shire 1830. County Valuation Rolls for Inverness County 1870-1970 – held by Highland Council Archives. Census Returns for parish of Inverness 1841 to 1901.

8. ARCHIVE A copy of this report has been submitted to Aberdeen SMR as well as a set of the digital image on CD. The same has been deposited with the National Monuments Record Service, Edinburgh.

9. DES A description of the archaeological work undertaken will be submitted to the Council for Scottish Archaeology’s publication Discovery and Excavation in Scotland.

13 Stuart Farrell – Wester Drakies Steading, Culcabock, Inverness.

Top: View of South Elevation facing NE – Scale 2m. (Photo 10) Bottom: View of West Elevation facing N. (Photo 12)

14 Stuart Farrell – Wester Drakies Steading, Culcabock, Inverness.

Top: View of East Elevation facing W – scale 2m. (Photo 21) Bottom: View of South side of North Wing facing N – scale 2m. (Photo 24)

15 Stuart Farrell – Wester Drakies Steading, Culcabock, Inverness.

Top: View of North wing facing SW – scale 2m. (Photo 32) Bottom: View of NW corner of steading facing SE – scale 2m. (Photo 36)

16 Stuart Farrell – Wester Drakies Steading, Culcabock, Inverness.

Top: View of leanto building to NW corner facing SE – scale 2m. (Photo 39) Bottom: View of concrete base of structure N of steading facing E – scales 1m. (Photo 44)

17 Stuart Farrell – Wester Drakies Steading, Culcabock, Inverness.

Appendix 1 – Highland Council Specification

18 Stuart Farrell – Wester Drakies Steading, Culcabock, Inverness.

Appendix 2 – Photographic Register

All photographs have been deposited with HCAU and the NMRS. Scale 2m unless otherwise stated.

1 – View of south elevation of south wing facing N. 2 – Detail of loft door (1). 3 – Detail of loft door (2). 4 – View of SE corner showing machine strut facing NW. 5 – View of south elevation of south wing facing W. 6 – View of SE gable facing NW. 7 – Detail of horizontal vent. 8 – Detail of vertical vent. 9 – Detail of door - south elevation of south wing facing N. 10 – View of south elevation of south wing facing NE. 11 – View of south elevation of south wing facing N. 12 – View of west elevation facing N. 13 – Detail of vertical vent. 14 – View of SE gable facing W. 15 – Ibid. 16 – Ibid. 17 – View of north elevation of south wing facing S. 18 – Ibid. 19 – View of East elevation of central wing facing W. 20 – View of SW corner.

19 Stuart Farrell – Wester Drakies Steading, Culcabock, Inverness.

21 – View of East elevation of central wing facing W. 22 – Ibid. 23 – View of south elevation of north wing facing N. 24 – Ibid. 25 – View of NW corner. 26 – Detail of door - north elevation of south wing facing S. 27 – Detail of door - south elevation of north wing facing N. 28 – View of NE gable facing W. 29 – Ibid. 30 – Internal view of North wing facing W. 31 – Ibid. 32 – View of NE corner facing SW. 33 – View of north elevation of north wing facing W. 34 – Ibid but facing SW. 35 – View of north elevation of north wing facing E. 36 – View of NW corner facing SE. 37 – Ibid. 38 – View of leanto facing E. 39 – View of leanto facing SE. 40 – View of west elevation of central wing facing SE. 41 – Ibid. 42 – View of leanto facing NE. 43 – Detail of blocked-up doorway West elevation central wing. 44 – View of concrete base of greenhouse facing E – scales 1m. 45 – View of field to N facing N. 46 – View of field to N facing NE. 47 – View of steading facing SE. 48 – Ibid but facing SSE. 49 – View of house to N. 50 – View of field to N facing N. 51 – View of steading facing SW. 52 – Ibid. 53 – Ibid. 54 – View of Drakies House facing N. 55 – View of field to N facing S.

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