Kilmichael, Kilmory, Ardcastle & Minard Forests an Archaeological Survey
KILMICHAEL, KILMORY, ARDCASTLE & MINARD FORESTS AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY Project Report May 2007 Roderick Regan and Sharon Webb Kilmartin House Museum Scottish Charity SC022744 i Summary While the survey work has brought to light new rock-art sites the main focus within the study area has been directed towards settlement sites or townships. These indicated the pattern of landscape use prior to change, including clearance and abandonment in the 19 th century and the later commencement of commercial forestry. Over twenty such sites were recorded including the settlements of Acres, Auchlech, Carrick, Carron, Craigans, Craigmurrial, Dalaneireanach, Dippen, Dunmore, Knockalva, Knock, Moninerrnech, Otter Ferry, Rudha-nan-Caorich, Tigh Ban, Tomdow Tomban, Tigh-na-Barra, Tunns and Sheanlarach as well as several other unnamed sites. The importance of these settlements lies not perhaps in their latest use but in their beginnings and their occupation through time. Historical records and cartographic sources can only go part of the way in telling us how old these settlements are and who lived there, what they did and how each settlement related to one another. The recording of these settlements and their related features such as fields, tracks and enclosures for example is however an important step in analysing the past landscape-use in Mid Argyll. The work also builds on the picture already gained by other surveys including those undertaken by Kilmartion House Museum for the Forestry Commission in North Knapdale, Ormaig and Eredine/Brenchoillie. These surveys, alongside work undertaken by Heather James and Alan Begg, provide an important starting point from which a fuller picture of past lives can be gleaned, through the study of historical material and possibly through a programme of excavation.
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