Camore Wood, Dornoch, Sutherland Construction of an Amphitheatre and Formation of Access Paths and Car Parking

(SU-06-393)

Archaeological Evaluation

Catherine Dagg

For

Forestry Commission Dornoch FD Hilton of Embo Dornoch Sutherland IV25 3PW

Camore Wood, Dornoch, Sutherland: Construction of an Amphitheatre and Formation of Access Paths and Car Parking. (SU-06-393): Archaeological Evaluation

1.0 Background

This evaluation was commissioned in accordance with archaeological conditions attached to the granting of planning consent for the project, which consists of the construction of an open air amphitheatre with access roads and tracks, parking bays and buried cable power line connection to the grid. The development lies in an area where there is a high density of important archaeological sites including prehistoric settlement and burial monuments, many of which are protected as Scheduled Ancient Monuments under the Ancient Monuments in Archaeological Areas Act of 1979. Some of these sites lie within the development area, and there is considered to be potential for the survival of further unrecorded, sub-surface remains.

The evaluation investigates the nature and extent of recorded upstanding remains, locates unrecorded sites and assesses the potential for further sub-surface remains. The conclusions of the report will inform a methodology to protect the archaeology during construction. The evaluation has been carried out in accordance with a Brief for the work prepared by the Archaeology Unit within the Department of Planning and Development at Highland Council, and any further archaeological work will be agreed with the Unit before ground breaking work commences.

2.0 Objectives

The evaluation aims to:

 Identify the cultural heritage baseline within the development area  Assess the development site in terms of its archaeological and historic environment potential  Consider the potential impacts of the development on the cultural heritage resource  Propose measures (where appropriate) to mitigate any predicted adverse impacts

3.0 Method

The evaluation consists of two elements:

a. Desk-based assessment: a study of all relevant archaeological and historical records, maps and databases. A list of sources is given in Appendix 1. Aerial photographs were not consulted as the whole area lies under mature woodland b. Walk-over survey. This was carried out on 12.3.07 in fine and dry weather conditions. All areas of the proposed development were visited, and adjacent Scheduled Ancient Monuments which would not be directly affected but might have their visual settings adversely affected

2 4.0 Baseline Conditions

4.1 Site description

The area straddles the ridge of glacially deposited gravels between the valley of the River Evelix and the Dornoch Firth and lies entirely within the mature plantations of Sydera Wood and Camore Wood. Established forest access tracks cross the area, and there has been some clear felling. The components of the proposed development are as follows:

 Vehicle Access: This is via the existing forest tracks. A one-way system is proposed which will not require widening of the tracks.  Car Park: An area approximately 140m by 55m, south of the access track, occupying a level terrace between the eskers and the edge of the gentle drop to the south. This area has been felled but not cleared. The remains of windblown tree roots allowed an examination of the soil profile. This consists of : a. Forest floor of organic debris and peat 6-8cm b. Grey/black sandy soil 10cm c. Gravel subsoil  Bus parking bays: Two areas north of the car park and access track. This area has not been felled, but windblown trees indicate a soil profile similar to that in the car parking area. This area, between the access track and the turf bank or dyke, appears to have been ploughed for planting  ‘Esker Walk’ path through forest to amphitheatre: a winding path with small attached forest clearings for activity or interpretation. The path will find a route through the existing trees; no trees will be felled. The path will cross the bank or dyke, marked on maps and visible as a low, ditched, turf bank. South of this the ground appears to have been ploughed for planting, possibly as an infill of an original broad, dyked ride between Sydera and Camore plantations. The ground appears poorly drained.  Disabled Parking: a small quarried area to the west of the main quarry entrance will provide 4 disabled parking spaces. The quarry face is now overgrown with bracken and contains some young self-seeded spruce trees. The cut has truncated the hut circle located on the esker to the west.  Amphitheatre: this is located entirely within the former quarry. Waste material from quarrying has been upcast around its edges, forming a sizeable and stable bank. This prevented any investigation of the quarry edges for archaeological features, but has the effect of protecting any site which might be so buried. The bank will be broken through at one point to the south, to allow for a backstage access track.  Backstage access track: this will run from a point east of the forest track crossroads, NE through the existing mature but sparse woodland and an area fenced to allow for experimental regeneration, entering the quarry at a point where a possible original quarry access road approaches from the SE, visible as a sunken route.  Power connection to grid: This will run south from the quarry along the ditch bordering the east side of the forest access track running SSE from the crossroads and will not require any new ground disturbance

4.2 Archaeological Background

A thorough survey of the archaeological sites of the Evelix valley, including the area at present under evaluation, was carried out in 1993 by SJT Robertson. The results of this survey, including ground plans of the sites, were presented to Dornoch Heritage Society and are available for consultation at Historylinks Museum in Dornoch.

All recent archaeological investigation has been carried out while the area has been under trees, and it is assumed that the visibility and status of sites has not changed since previous evaluations have taken place, with the exception of felling of trees from the Scheduled areas.

A large number of the recorded sites are Scheduled Ancient Monuments, under one Scheduling index no: 5898. The sites are managed under a Scheduled Ancient Monuments Management Plan, which runs from April 2003 to 31st March 2008, which has included the felling of trees from the Scheduled Areas. Although it is likely that the entire area would have been Scheduled had it not been under mature woodland, Scheduling has been applied to individual sites within the group; not all sites are Scheduled while others are grouped together within one Scheduled Area. With the exception of sites listed below, all the Scheduled monuments are located east or north of the present development.

The following sites are recorded within the area of evaluation:

1. Hut Circle at NC7703 8936 SMR no. NH78NE0152 Dornoch Heritage Society Site no. M18 Not Scheduled, but site M within SAM 5898 Occupying the western end of an esker to the west of a forestry track, a hut circle now obscured by vegetation, particularly bracken, but recorded as measuring 9.5m N-S, with walls spread to 4m and an entrance to the west. The eastern arc has been destroyed by recent quarrying, (2003) when a relatively fresh section showed walling largely of turf interlaced with large, water worn stones. The exposed quarry face is now overgrown with bracken and contains some young self-seeded spruce trees and no walling is now visible.

2. Cairn at NC 770 893 Not Scheduled but recorded as ‘cairn’ within SAM 5898 Two cairns are recorded on the 1879 1st edition OS map west of the hut circle (Site 1.) as well as other cairns to the east which have now been entirely removed by quarrying. These are now assumed to be stone field clearance heaps. Others within this group are associated with lynchets and field walls, and they are taken to represent a contemporary field system. Curiously in this case, they occupy the narrow ridge of the esker and none have been noted on the more level ground to the south, suggesting the possibility that the level ground was too poorly drained for cultivation.

3. Hut Circles at NC 7715 8933 a. SMR no. NH78NE0134 Dornoch Heritage Society Site no. O 20

4 Scheduled Ancient Monument Index no. 5898 site N and O b. SMR no. NH78NE0133 Dornoch Heritage Society Site no. P 21 Scheduled Ancient Monument Index no. 5898 Site P. This group of two joined hut circles, with a third circle linked to the two by a section of wall lie within one Scheduled area, an oval 60m in length E-W, which runs along the south side of the forestry track running east from the crossroads. The sites occupy prominent knolls and have been clear felled under the SAM Management Plan. They are regularly visited by members of the public, and are accompanied by an interpretation panel

Other Scheduled monuments to the east and north were not visited during this evaluation as they will be screened by mature trees from any aspect of the development.

4.3 Historical Background

Cyderhall, or Sydera, lies within the extensive Sutherland estates as they were before the expansion of the early 19th century. The coastal parts of Dornoch parish were the resettlement area for tenants displaced from further inland with the establishment of Torboll sheep farm in 1813. Tenants were settled on ‘improvable’ moorland lots, the nearest of which to the present area of evaluation appears to be at Lonemore to the south of Cyderhall farm.

Within the area of evaluation there is no evidence for early modern settlement prior to the improvements of the early 19th century. Roy’s Military Survey, carried out in the 1750s, while recording the settlement and cornlands in the Evelix valley, records no settlement between this and the sea, although Blaeu’s Atlas, based on Pont’s Survey of the 1580s records both Davochfin and Drumdivan. It must have been shortly after Roy’s survey that the first plantations were established, as by 1769 those at Cyderhall are described as ‘the most thriving in this parish’1. It is unlikely that, at this date, formerly arable ground would have been given over to trees. The plantations referred to must be the ones recorded on John Thomson’s map of 1823. This shows a rectangle of plantings which can still be defined by modern field boundaries and tracks and corresponds to Sydera Wood. The rectangle extended further west than the present wood and was bounded to the north by the track which forms the access road to the amphitheatre site. An apparent avenue of trees also runs from this rectangle NE to Achley, indicating that the area of the quarry in which the amphitheatre is to be sited was also planted by 1769.

Burnett and Scott’s map of 1831/2 shows extensions to the plantations, notably Camore Wood to the north and east, and the triangle of land running north almost to the River Evelix from the west of the original rectangle

These maps show that the entire area of evaluation has been under trees since 1830. The dykes noted on the ground, running parallel to the trackway are most likely to be the original boundaries of the 18th century Sydera Wood plantings.

From the 1830s there appears to have been little alteration to land use.

1 Rev. Mr Alexander Pope in Pennant: A tour of Scotland in 1769 Appendix 5

5.0 Field Survey

A field survey was carried out on March 14th in dry and sunny weather conditions. The recorded sites were visited and found to be as described above, Section 5. sites 1- 3. Two new sites were recorded:

4. Turf Dyke from NC 7680 8925 to NC 7745 8935. A low, at times indistinct turf covered bank which appears to be ditched to the north. Although at first though to be formed by the upcast from a drainage ditch, this is more likely to be a boundary and appears to correspond to the north side of the trackway or ride forming the north boundary of Sydera Wood as recorded on Thomson’s map of 1823

5. Turf Dyke from NC 7695 8923 to 7725 8935. Similar in construction to site 4. and probably contemporary, this may be the south boundary of the track or ride forming the north boundary of Sydera Wood. This dyke runs over the knolls on which site 3a, the two Scheduled hut circles, are located and is truncated to the east by the present alignment of the forestry track. It was not investigated to the west.

In Addition to these sites, a possible site was discovered during investigation of soil profiles:

6. Possible midden deposits at NC 7696 8928. Occupying a small hollow formed in the angle of two large roots, on the upper side of the root system of a windblown tree was an exposed deposit of shells, appearing to be a possible midden deposit. As the tree had effectively removed it from its original position, it was felt that it was acceptable andexpedient to excavate it rapidly in order to be able to evaluate the deposit and present the results in this report. The findings are given in Appendix 1, but the conclusion was that thas is a deposit of relatively recent date and probably an unique event, therefore no further action is required.

6.0 Findings of Evaluation

6.1 Impact on Scheduled Ancient Monuments

Ann Coombs, Inspector of Ancient Monuments for Historic Scotland, recently visited the site and offered the following advice and comments:

 There will be no direct impact on Scheduled Ancient Monuments  The visual impact on SAMs will be minimal and can be reduced further by the design of the backstage access road passing obliquely through the existing tree cover

 The proximity of the track to the Scheduled area of site 3, Scheduled sites N, O and P indicates the possibility of vehicles and plant accidentally entering and damaging the Scheduled area. It has been agreed with the Forestry Commission that this will be prevented by the erection of a fence between the track and the Scheduled area. The fence will be erected with no ground breaking other than the insertion of the stobs  The power line connection to the grid will run close to Scheduled areas, but it is acceptable for this to run along the ditch at the side of the track, which is already disturbed ground

6.2 Components of Development

 Vehicle access: the existing tracks will not be widened and there will be no impact on the archaeology  Car park: There are no visible archaeological remains within the area of the car park. The level nature of the ground suggests that it could have been utilised for cultivation although there is no direct evidence for this. There are thin, sandy soils between the peaty upper soils and the subsoil gravels, but these will have been extensively disturbed by tree growth, windblow and felling. The lack of cultivation features such as field clearance piles and lynchets may indicate that the land was poorly drained and not suitable for cultivation, or may be the result of robbing of these features for material for the late 18th century boundary dyke immediately to the south. A Watching Brief on ground clearing work in this area is unlikely to reveal any archaeological information  Bus parking bays: This area differs from the car park area only in that it has not been clear felled and therefore a more careful investigation of the present ground surface was possible. No archaeological features were noted, probably for the same reasons as given above, and for the same reasons it is not felt that a Watching Brief on ground breaking work will provide any archaeological information  ‘Esker walk’ path: The path will be laid with minimal ground disturbance, with only the top turf layer removed. The lower layers will remain undisturbed, so any subsurface archaeological features will probably not be uncovered. In addition, for the same reasons as for the car parking area, this area is not considered likely to have buried archaeological remains. However, the late 18th century boundary dyke will be broken through by the path. At the east end of the path, as it drops to the existing forestry track, it will cross a bank which has been formed of upcast material from quarrying which need not be considered to be an archaeological feature  Disabled parking: the quarry in which the disabled parking bays are to be located will presumably require levelling and its edges straightening. The bank to the west should not be dug into without a Watching Brief, as this is likely to damage further the remaining walling of the (not Scheduled) hut circle. It is possible that material, deposits or artefacts from the hut circle have eroded onto the quarry floor, and a Watching Brief during the clearing of the area will allow their identification and retrieval.

 Amphitheatre: The quarry floor in which the amphitheatre is to be constructed is archaeologically sterile, and no further archaeological work is required here.  Backstage access to amphitheatre: The alignment of the new access road to the backstage area in the east of the quarry will pass through undisturbed forest where no archaeological features were noted apart from the late 18th century boundary dyke. However, it passes very close to the Scheduled area of Scheduled sites N, O and P (Site 3) and a Watching Brief during ground breaking work may be advisable.  Power connection to grid: As agreed with Historic Scotland, this will pass along the ditch to the east of the forestry track which is already disturbed ground, and will not enter any Scheduled area. No further archaeological work should be required here.

6.3 Direct Impacts

Site 1. Hut circle: There is the potential for damage to the east quadrant of this structure during work on the disable car parking bays

Site 2. Cairn: this will not be directly affected by any aspects of the project

Site 3. Hut circles: the Scheduled area will be protected from accidental damage by the erection of a fence along the south edge of the track. Otherwise, there will be no direct impact on the site

Site 4, Turf Dyke: This linear feature north of the track will be cut through by the esker walk pathway. It is preferable that the design of the pathway should ensure that this damage is reduced to only one point on the dyke.

Site 5, Turf Dyke: This linear feature south of the car park may be damaged by construction of the car park. It is recommended that any damage be kept to a minimum so the dyke can be retained as a landscape feature along the south edge of the car park area

6.4 Indirect Impacts

The indirect, visual impact of the project will be minimal while the existing tree cover is retained. Some minor aspects of the development will be visible from Scheduled sites, for example the top of the amphitheatre superstructure will rise above the tree line as seen from Scheduled sites to the east, but Historic Scotland has agreed to these minor impacts. At no location does the development form a visual barrier between Scheduled sites

7.0 Summary

The development will have a minor impact on the known archaeological sites, with only a potential direct impact on one prehistoric site, an unscheduled and already damaged hut circle (Site 1) and two early modern features ( sites 4 and 5). The potential for undiscovered, sub-surface archaeological features being uncovered and damaged by the development is considered low, but archaeological monitoring may be useful in two locations. The Scheduled monuments will be further protected from accidental damage by fencing, and from a negative visual impact by careful design to utilise the existing tree cover.

8.0 Photographic Record

Cover: view south from site 1, hut circle, over route of esker walk and 18th century dyke, site 4, crossing centre of image

1. Access track leading to amphitheatre area. Scheduled monuments are in clearing in background. Edge of car park is on right foreground. Windblown tree on left of track contains site 6, shell deposits 2. View of car park area from east. Car park fills felled area, site 5, dyke is in front of standing trees in background 3. Site 1, hut circle, view from north. Hut circle is moss-covered irregular banks in foreground. 4. Disabled parking site in quarry workings. Site 1, hut circle is truncated on top of quarry face. 5. View SW from site 1, hut circle. Car park area can be seen as light clearing in top right, behind trees. Site 4, dyke, can be seen running across image on centre left. 6. View to main quarry entrance from site 1, hut circle 7. View west from Scheduled sites, site 3. Car parking area is light clearing behind trees, centre 8. View north from Scheduled sites, site 3. Route of backstage access road will pass through trees beyond track 9. View from scheduled sites east of development, looking west towards amphitheatre site screened by young sitka spruce 10. Site 6, shell deposits. Windblown tree, deposits are indicated by yellow GPS in centre of root ball. 11. Site 6, shell deposits, before excavation 12. Site 6, shell deposits, detail before excavation

Catherine Dagg, BA, AIFA 2, Ruigh’Riabhach Scoraig Peninsula Dundonnell Wester Ross IV23 2RE Tel: 01854 633 337 26.3.07

Appendix 1..Investigation of possible midden deposit at NC 7696 8928

The visible deposit consisted of a strip of shells, 60cm in length and with an original orientation of approximately NE-SW, in a dark matrix. This deposit proved to broaden to approximately 20cm in width but to a depth of no more than 20cm, and was contained within the angle of two large tree roots. The deposit filled a hollow, whether artificial or natural could not be ascertained, within the grey-black soil layer.

The deposit consisted almost entirely of common periwinkle, littorina littorea, commonly known as the edible winkle and frequently found in archaeological contexts, being both a food source and used as bait, particularly on 19th century long lines. The presence of many opercula, some in situ in the shell, suggested that these winkles had not been cooked and their flesh extracted. In addition, the size of shell varied from 3.6cm to 1.2cm in length, suggesting that shells had not been selected by size, and some dead shell had been collected

The following species were also present:

Flat periwinkle, littorina obtusata, 1 complete Common cockle, cerastoderma edule, 1 complete and 1 fragment Grey Topshell, gibbula cineraria, 7 complete and 1 fragment Common mussel, Mytilus edulis, 1 complete, several fragments

The matrix consisted of forest floor material such as dead moss and pine needles, together with peaty soil fragments Wet sieving of the matrix allowed the retrieval of a small quantity of beach sand, together with many small shell fragments and small water worn gravels typical of the shoreline, including larger stones bearing sections of marine worm.

No anthropogenic material was recovered.

It was concluded that the deposit consisted of shells roughly gathered from the foreshore with an intention of collecting edible winkles, but that these had not been cleaned, sorted or processed before being deposited. The date of this event would appear to be recent enough for the deposit to have been covered only by partially decayed forest debris.

The deposit is not considered to be contemporary with the prehistoric settlement, and no further action is recommended

Appendix 2. Data Sources and bibliography

The following data sources were consulted for this evaluation:

 Highland Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) held by the Highland Council Archaeology Unit in Inverness  National Monuments Record for Scotland (NMRS) held by the RCAHMS in Edinburgh  Maps held by the Map Library within the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh

The following bibliographic sources were consulted for background information:

Houston, R. 1986 The Clearances in South East Sutherland in Firthlands of Ross and Sutherland ed JR Baldwin Pennant, T. A Tour of Scotland in 1769

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