Highland Rugby Clubhouse and Pitches Bught Road, Inverness Archaeological Desk-based Assessment
AOC 70013 3rd March 2015
© AOC Archaeology Group 2015
Highland Rugby Clubhouse and Pitches Archaeological Desk-based Assessment Report
On Behalf of: Capita Kingmoor Business Park Carlisle Cumbria CA6 4SJ
National Grid Reference (NGR): NH 6555 4346
AOC Project No: 70013
Client Ref: HRS7141
Prepared by: Lynn Fraser and Mary Peteranna
Date of Report: 3rd March 2015
This document has been prepared in accordance with AOC standard operating procedures.
Authors: Lynn Fraser and Mary Peteranna Date: 03/03/2015
Approved by: Mary Peteranna Date: 03/03/2015
Final Report Stage: Date: 04/03/2015
Enquiries to: AOC Archaeology Group Shore Street Cromarty IV11 8XL
Tel. 01381 600726 Mob. 07972 259255 E-mail [email protected]
www.aocarchaeology.com AOC 70013 Highland Rugby Clubhouse and Pitches: Archaeological Desk-based Assessment Report
Contents Page Abstract ...... - 2 - Introduction ...... - 3 - Project Background ...... - 3 - Character of the Study Area ...... - 3 - Desk-based Assessment ...... - 3 - Results ...... - 3 - Cartographic Sources ...... - 5 - Conclusions and Recommendations ...... - 7 - References ...... - 7 -
List of Figures
Figure 1: Location of the study area Figure 2: Excerpt from the First Edition 25-inch-to-the-mile OS map, Sheet XII.5 Figure 3: Excerpt from the Second Edition 25-inch-to-the-mile OS map, Sheet 012.05
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AOC 70013 Highland Rugby Clubhouse and Pitches: Archaeological Desk-based Assessment Report
Abstract
This report details the results of an archaeological desk-based assessment on the site of the Highland Rugby Clubhouse and pitches located on the southwest side of Bught Road in Inverness. The work was conducted as part of an application to upgrade the facilities. Although at present the site comprises landscaped sports fields, it has substantial archaeological potential based on the historical documentation identified during the study.
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AOC 70013 Highland Rugby Clubhouse and Pitches: Archaeological Desk-based Assessment Report
Introduction
1. An archaeological desk-based assessment was carried out in March 2015 on behalf of Capita and the Highland Council as part of an application to upgrade facilities at the Highland Rugby Club playing fields. The aim of the study was to assess the potential for any archaeology likely to be directly affected by the proposed development. A walkover survey was not conducted as part of this study as it had already been completed during ground investigations associated with the Inverness West Link Road development.
Project Background
2. The study area is centred at NH 6555 4346, on the southwest side of Inverness near the Highland Archive Centre. It is located adjacent to the southwest side of Bught Road between the Caledonian Canal and the River Ness (Figure 1). The purpose of this study was to identify any archaeological sites of interest within the study area and to assess the archaeological potential of the site as part of an application to upgrade the facilities of the Highland Rugby Club.
3. A walkover survey of the fields was not conducted during the present study. The project manager had previously conducted a survey of the grounds in November 2012 as part of fieldwork conducted ahead of the Inverness West Link Road ground investigations. There are no visible archaeological sites within the study area. However, the former Bught Mill lade borders the southeast side of the site (Peteranna 2013).
Character of the Study Area
4. At present the site consists of flat, grass-covered sports pitches located at the base of the Caledonian Canal bank to the northwest. The Highland Rugby Clubhouse is located along the northeast side of the site along with gravel parking areas adjacent to Bught Road. The southeast side of the site borders a stream course (a former mill lade) with Whin Park playground next to it between the site and the River Ness.
Desk-based Assessment
5. A desk-based assessment was conducted in order to assess the archaeological potential of the area based on previously recorded sites and any historical documentation. A full check of all available historical and archaeological records, aerial photographs and historical maps was conducted using the Highland Historic Environment Record (HHER), the National Monuments Record of Scotland (NMRS), Ordnance Survey Name Books, Historic Scotland’s databases, the National Library of Scotland, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland databases, statistical accounts and other available records, literary sources or online resources about the site. This work was conducted in accordance with the Highland Council Standards for Archaeological Work (2012) and the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists standards (CIfA 2014).
Results
6. Inverness has a rich archaeological and historical background. The rugby playing fields, situated to the southwest of the limits of the historical town, could be expected to have a limited archaeological and historical background. Despite the present, curated condition of the grounds, this is not the case. The study area sits amidst significant prehistoric and historic landscape.
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AOC 70013 Highland Rugby Clubhouse and Pitches: Archaeological Desk-based Assessment Report
Figure 1: Location of the study area (supplied by Capita)
7. To the north of the development site is Tomnahurich, now a cemetery site. According to the New Statistical Account, this prominent hill was used as a gathering hill on occasions of public importance (New Statistical Account, 1834-45). A prehistoric burial cist (HHER No. MHG3804) and a prehistoric carved ball (HHER No. MHG3803) were found at Tomnahurich in the 19th century. To the west of the site, on Torvean hill overlooking the Caledonian Canal, is a possible fort of Iron date (HHER No. MHG3749), which has associated with it a possible burial cairn at the base of the hill (HHER No. MHG40992). In the vicinity of this location, a large Pictish silver chain was found during construction of the canal in 1808. Other prehistoric finds in this area include a Neolithic axe (HHER No. MHG3802) and a polished flint axe (HHER No. MHG29581).
8. In close proximity to the study area, another significant known site of prehistoric activity was found in 1954 when workmen were removing trees in Bught Park. A cist containing a male inhumation and a bronze dagger (HHER No. MHG3757) was discovered. While the exact location is unknown, the burial was located somewhere within the immediate landscape. Interestingly, the New Statistical Account of
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AOC 70013 Highland Rugby Clubhouse and Pitches: Archaeological Desk-based Assessment Report
Scotland refers to this area, the Estate of Bught, as ‘Kil a Bhean or Bean’s burying-ground (1834-45: 13-14).’
9. Two cropmark locations were identified on aerial imagery approximately 50m to the northeast of the study area. In 1997 oblique aerial photography revealed a possible site southeast of Bught Nursery comprising the cropmarks of four concentric outer ditches measuring 30m in diameter (NMRS No. NH64SE59). To the south of it, a cropmark of a possible enclosure (NMRS No. NH64SE 237) was also revealed by aerial photography in 1995. During an evaluation in 2005 ahead of construction of the Highland Archive Centre in this location, the possible enclosure was not located and there were no archaeological features identified (Buchanan 2005).
10. The National Collection of Aerial Photography (RCAHMS 2015) images was searched to assess further potential for archaeological remains in the survey area. There were no features of interest identified on images taken showing the site in 1942, 1947 and 2011.
11. The study area is bordered on the southeast by the disused mill lade. The mill was located near the southeastern corner of the site, as shown on the 1st and 2nd edition Ordnance Survey (OS) maps (Figures 2, 3). The Bishop of Moray was granted land on the west side of the River Ness at Bught in 1232 together with the right to use a mill other than the king’s mills; it is likely that the mill was built at Bught around this time. It continued in use as a mill until it was badly damaged by fire in 1908. At some point after this, the owners of nearby Bught House used the old mill wheels to generate hydro- electricity for the house. The remains of the mill buildings were demolished about 1928. The Electric Lighting Works was erected and opened in 1929 using the much enlarged mill lade to power the turbines. It was used until its closure in the late 1940s (Inverness Field Club, undated). The power- house is now used as the shop in Whin Park and the lade is still visible.
Cartographic Sources
12. Historical mapping found online at the National Library of Scotland (NLS 2015) were studied. The site appears to have been cultivated in the 1700s, but the mapping of this period is not very accurate. The historical OS mapping shows the area to be uncultivated and it is possible, if the ground is relatively undisturbed, given the prehistoric activity in the area, that archaeological remains endure in situ beneath the surface.
13. Details from the relevant historical maps showing the study area are summarised below:
a) John Henri Bastide - A General Survey of Inverness & the country adjacent to the foot of Loch-Ness, ca. 1725 This map shows an area of inhabited and cultivated land to the west of ‘The Islands’ in the River Ness. A channel of water runs from a bend in the river to the west in an easterly direction parallel with the river re-joining it opposite the Ness islands. The area of ground situated between the river and the channel is not cultivated or occupied. A track is shown running from the channel to the riverbank beyond the Ness islands in a north-easterly direction. Between the track, channel and riverbank is a patchwork of fields, some of which are shown as cultivated. A group of buildings is sandwiched between the channel and track at the west. Beyond the track is a large house, walled garden and three other buildings.
b) William Roy, Military Survey of Scotland, Highlands, 1747-52 Roy’s map is very similar to that of Bastide, although is not quite so detailed. It shows the river channel running from the river bend parallel with the river towards the Ness islands. The land between the channel and river is uncultivated. The group of buildings is depicted towards the western end of the channel, although the track on Bastide’s map is not. The land around these buildings is cultivated. To the north of these buildings, and to the west of the islands, is another group of buildings, presumably Bught House, although there is no walled garden depicted. - 5 -
AOC 70013 Highland Rugby Clubhouse and Pitches: Archaeological Desk-based Assessment Report
c) First Edition 25-inch-to-the-mile Ordnance Survey map - Inverness Mainland, Sheet XII.5 Survey date: 1868 Publication date: 1874 This map shows the development area as a triangular piece of ground bordered by the Caledonian Canal to the west, a road to the east and a mill lade to the south. The mill lade is presumably the channel depicted on Bastide’s map of 1725. The Bught Mill (Corn and Flour) is depicted within the eastern point of the development area and beyond and is made up of a group of buildings around a yard area. The road runs down towards the mill from what is now the A82 and then turns eastwards at the mill to run alongside the mill lade towards the town of Inverness. Bught House and policies lies to the east of the road and is presumably the large house and walled garden depicted on Bastide’s map. A silver chain is marked as being found in the canal in 1808 to the west of the development area.
d) Second Edition 25-inch-to-the-mile Ordnance Survey map – Inverness-shire – Mainland, Sheet 012.05 Publication date: 1904 Date revised: ca. 1903 There is little change to the 2nd edition map. A towing path is now shown along the east bank of the canal to the west of the development area. There has been a change to the layout of the buildings at the mill and a sluice is also depicted. The policies around Bught House have reduced in size.
e) Third Edition 25-inch-to-the-mile Ordnance Survey map, Inverness-shire – Mainland, Sheet 012.05 Publication date: 1930 Date revised: ca. 1929 Levelled: 1903 Bught Mill is no longer in existence and the buildings shown on the site are labelled Bught Cottages. The sluice is no longer labelled, but the mill lade is now shown as Head Race to the west of the sluice and Tail Race to the east.
Figure 2: Excerpt from the First Edition 25-inch-to-the-mile OS map, Sheet XII.5 (NLS 2015)
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AOC 70013 Highland Rugby Clubhouse and Pitches: Archaeological Desk-based Assessment Report
Figure 3: Excerpt from the Second Edition 25-inch-to-the-mile OS map, Sheet 012.05 (NLS 2015)
Conclusions and Recommendations
14. Although today the Highland Rugby Clubhouse and Pitches appear as feature-less fields, the archaeological and historical records indicate that the site is located in an area that has substantial archaeological potential. Its landscape situation, which comprises a flat terrace adjacent to the river would also suggest the site is a good location for continuous settlement. Furthermore, given the naturally flat nature of the site prior to its curation for playing fields, it is unlikely that surfaces below the topsoil were disturbed during their construction. Therefore, the site has significant potential for archaeological remains to have survived below the ground surface.
15. Ahead of development, an archaeological evaluation is recommended all areas where ground- breaking activity would occur.
References
Buchanan, S 2005 Results of an Archaeological Evaluation undertaken at the Bught, Inverness (PP212). Alba Archaeology, unpublished report BUC-05.
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), 2014 Standards and guidance for archaeological desk- based assessment. Reading: IfA.
Highland Council 2012. Standards for Archaeological Work.
Inverness Field Club, undated. The River Ness, its influence on life in our area.
National Map Library of Scotland 2015. Accessed at http://maps.nls.uk on 2 March 2015.
New Statistical Account of Scotland 1834-45. Inverness, County of Inverness, Vol 14. Accessed online at http://stat-acc-scot.edina.ac.uk/link/1834-45/Inverness/Inverness/
Peteranna, M 2013 Inverness West Link Road Ground Investigation: Archaeological Watching Brief. Ross and Cromarty Archaeological Services, unpublished report no. 2013-05/IWLR12.
RCAHMS 2015. National Collection of Aerial Photography. Accessed online at http://ncap.org.uk
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AOC 70013 Highland Rugby Clubhouse and Pitches: Archaeological Desk-based Assessment Report
AOC Archaeology Shore Street Cromarty IV11 8XL tel: 01381 600 726 | mob: 07972 259 255 | e-mail: [email protected]
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