Badenoch and Strathspey Water Supply Upgrade: Archaeological Evaluation

Catherine Dagg

for

Scottish Water Solutions 13, Harbour Road Inverness IV1 1UA

1.0 Executive Summary

An archaeological evaluation was carried out on the area to be affected by the proposed water supply upgrade. A small number of minor archaeological features were identified, but the conclusion of the evaluation is that the impact on the archaeological record will be slight.

2.0 Background

The author was asked by Scottish Water Solutions to carry out an archaeological evaluation, consisting of a desk-based assessment and rapid walk-over survey of areas potentially to be affected by the proposed water supply upgrade consisting of the following elements:

• New water treatment works at Kinakyle, NH 892 109 • Area of borehole water abstraction on the River Spey flood plain, centred on NH 893 108 or direct abstraction from the Spey at NH 894 108 • Clear water tank on the Allt na Criche at NH 867 118 and pipeline connection to the WTW • Clear water tank above Sluggangranish at NH 885 147 and pipeline connection to WTW

Both CWT sites are being considered at this stage although only one will be used, so both have been included in the evaluation.

The aim of this evaluation is to identify all archaeological sites or areas of archaeological or historical interest within the area of proposed development, to assess the potential impact of the development on the archaeological and historical record and to suggest mitigation to protect the archaeological record. The conclusions of this evaluation will be used to inform a Screening Opinion and possibly a full Environmental Impact Assessment.

3.0 Methodology

An initial desk-based evaluation was carried out, making use of all available data sources, cartographic evidence and archive material. A catalogue of sources is given in appendix 1. this was followed by a walk-over survey of the whole area, including both CWT and pipeline options. This was carried out on 12.10.07 in dry, clear and generally sunny weather conditions.

4.0 Baseline Conditions

4.1 Site Description

The development is located to the west of the River Spey and to the south and west of the present village of Aviemore. Much of the area around Aviemore and adjacent to the A9 is highly developed for a rural area and can be considered to be archaeologically sterile. To the west of the A9, the two CWT sites and sections of

2 pipeline are within or adjacent to the Craigellachie National Nature Reserve, a landscape which is considered natural but which has been considerably altered by sporting activities and forestry planting in the 19th century.

• New water treatment works at Kinakyle, NH 892 109. This is located on a thin strip of grazed field between the Perth-Inverness railway embankment to the south and the B9152 Aviemore access road to the north, itself recently upgraded. The steeper parts of this strip retain some original birch woodland, while 33kV power lines cross the open ground. Two tunnels through the embankment and a farm crossing provide access from this site to the farm land south of the railway • Area of borehole water abstraction on the River Spey flood plain, centred on NH 893 108 or direct abstraction from the Spey at NH 894 108 The southern part of this is on the floodplain of the Spey and located within a loop of the river. This low lying ground is protected from flooding by an earth bank, but the central area is wet and contains an unenclosed patch of alder woodland. A ridge of glacial gravels, or esker, runs NE-SW across this loop; the fields to the NW of this are higher, improved and enclosed in broad strips. • Clear water tank on the Allt na Criche at NH 867 118 and pipeline connection to the WTW. The Allt na Criche is a small, fast-flowing stream, falling rapidly from open heather moorland to the SU centre at Alltnacriche then following a more level, artificially straightened route to Lynwilg Farm before dropping to meet the Spey. Immediately to the north of the stream is the ‘Burma Road’, a popular walking and cycling route to Carrbridge through the hills. To the south of the stream between Lynwilg Farm and Alltnacriche, a strip of old arable ground appears to be used primarily for the raising of pheasants. • Clear water tank above Sluggangranish at NH 885 147 and pipeline connection to WTW. The CWT site is in mature coniferous plantation within Craigellachie NNR, adjacent to existing tracks. The pipeline route follows tracks then crosses an area of housing development east of the A9. Although no houses have as yet been built, road access and services have been laid, involving much earth moving which has removed all trace of former settlement and land use. Crossing the A9, the pipeline passes Milton where again all trace of earlier buildings has been replaced by modern housing. The pipeline then passes through Milton Woods adjacent to the A9, an area planted in the 19th century and now an amenity woodland. South of this is the McDonald Centre, the drained part of Loch Puladdern, Aviemore campsite and the upgraded B9152, all [providing little opportunity for archaeological features to have survived.

4.2 Archaeological Background

There is archaeological evidence for human activity in Speyside since the Neolithic period, with ring cairns, stone circles, cup-marked stones. Only one of these sites lie within this area of evaluation: a cup-marked boulder. Recent work (RCAHMS 2007) in the Braes of Abernethy has located a number of later prehistoric settlement sites, demonstrating that these probably survive over the whole area but have yet to be identified. Although no official systematic survey has been carried out within the area of this evaluation, a number of sites have been identified during fieldwalking and

3 added to the Highland Sites and Monuments record by Ann Wakeling of Nethy Bridge.

The following archaeological sites are recorded on the Highland SMR or the NMRS and lie within or adjacent to the area of evaluation: The list runs from SW to NE.

• Lynwilg Farm at NH 881 107 SMR no. NH81SE0063 NMRS no. NH81SE 20 Six roofed and one unroofed buildings and three enclosures as recorded on the 1st edition OS map, including a sheepfold upstream on the Allt na Criche. All buildings are recorded on the west side of the stream.

• Easter Lynwilg Bridges at NH 8836 1060 SMR no. NH81SE0031 NMRS no NH81SE 31

• Kinakyle Township at NH 8915 1100 SMR no. NH81SE0056 Footings of buildings recorded during field walking by Ann Wakeling, and possibly corresponding to ‘Lynevulig’ drawing of 1792 (see below, Fig 1.)

• Lag na Caillich: General Wade Military Road SMR no. NH81SE0008 NMRS no. NH81SE 16 A section of the road is visible at the entrance to Aviemore between the garage and the river. In 1979, ahead of the A9 road construction, 7 trenches were opened to measure cross-sections of the military road between NH 8803 1000 and 8990 1499

• Milton Woods, cup-marked stone at NH 8933 1368 SMR no. NH81SE0081 Recorded as adjacent to the path approximately 30m north of the ‘sheep creep’ under The A9

• Milton, Township and corn mill at NH 894 138 SMR no. NH81SE0089 NMRS no. NH81SE 15 Two unroofed, one partially roofed and two roofed buildings (one a corn and barley mill) and two enclosures are recorded on the 1st edition OS map

4.3 Historical Background

The Allt na Criche (G. the burn of the boundary) is immediately south of the traditional boundary of the Parish of Alvie, in the county of Inverness-shire, and the parish of Duthil in the county of Elginshire. Thus, Lynwilg and Kinakyle are historically a part of Inverness-shire and the lands of Gordon of Rothiemurchus, while Aviemore in Duthil is a part of the extensive Seafield estates.

Roy’s military survey of the 1750s shows a number of small townships and associated cornlands scattered along the slightly higher ground west of the flood plain of the Spey, including Avielochan, Avibeg, Aviemore as two small townships north of the

4 present village and an unnamed township at the location of Kinakyle. At this last, the whole area of ground bounded by the loop of the Spey is shown as under rig cultivation while woodland is indicated immediately upstream. Wade’s military road, constructed in the 1720s, is also shown on this map. At this date the old inn at Aviemore, where the road forked, was an important staging post.

Thomson’s map of the 1820s shows Kean na Coille as just over the boundary into Elginshire, and records a mill at Linvuilg, as well as a track running through the hills north from Loch Alvie, passing to the west of Lochan More.

Fig 1. The town of Leneiwelg Aviemore, 1791, possibly actually Kinakyle

Fig 2. Site of former township of Kinakyle

At the beginning of the 19th century the economy of the region was still based on black cattle, but the value of the wood from the natural forests was beginning to be

5 realised and new planting was beginning. As early as 1794 one Charles Palmer was renting a house at Kennakyle for sporting purposes although deer had been hunted to extinction at Rothiemurchus and had to be re-introduced in 1843. As well as Palmer, other gentlemen took on farms in the area, often captains or lieutenants retiring in their middle age on half pay. One such half-pay lieutenant , one Alexander Gordon, settled at Lynwilg and is recorded on the census of 1841 and 1851.

Lynwilg was not only the residence of a gentleman who was a part of the local ‘society’ in the early 1800s but also the home of the Cumming family who for generations kept a shop and later hotel. When a stage coach service between Perth and Inverness started in 1813, the mails for the Doune and other houses were dropped at Lynwilg. Although there was no reliable ford between the Doune and Lynwilg until later in the century, a small boat crossed the Spey at this point.

The 1841 census shows 6 households at Lynwilg, two at Kinakyle and one at Balachroich between the two, a house which does not appear on subsequent census returns and must have stood east of the Allt na Criche, occupied by two women, a cottar and a mendicant. Two households are also recorded at Kinakyle in 1851, an annuitant and a pauper/agricultural labourer, but by 1861 only one resident, a lieutenant’s widow. The old township of Kinakyle was probably abandoned before the railway was built in 1862, but new houses on the road were occupied by a spinster and a farm servant by 1896

Lynwilg expanded as a farm through the 1860s, the tenancy having been taken over by a farmer from Banffshire. This included the lands of Kinakyle. The Cummings family, running the shop and hotel, kept a croft at Lynwilg and there was a schoolhouse there by the 1890s

The house at Alltnacriche was built at the turn of the century for the musician and composer George Henschel (1850-1935) as a holiday house. He died there and is buried at Alvie.

The village of Aviemore, meanwhile, expanded steadily after the arrival of the railway in 1862 and the beginnings of a tourist industry. This expansion was concentrated around the station and the road to the north, with six lots laid out by 1869. The landscape around Milton and Sluggangranich, as shown in a postcard of the early 1900s, was one of scattered farm buildings and cultivated ground. The corn and meal mill at Milton continued in use until some time after 1881.

The forestry west of Sluggangranish probably dates to the expansion of plantations in the 1860s, with small sawmills operating within the woods. The most recent sawmill was just to the SW of the access gate west of Milton.

6 4.4 Gazetteer of Archaeological Sites

Sites from Alltnacriche CWT to Kinakyle:

1. Track at NH 8716 1148 to NH 8733 1153. Significance: local The faint remains of a section of trackway, the width of a cart track. This corresponds to a track recorded on the 1sr edition OS map but not on the 2nd. It may have been an early stalkers’ or pony track associated with sport shooting and may be contemporary with the possible grouse butts (site no. 2) but it also appears to correspond to a track or road recorded on Thomson’s map of the 1820s and may be a much earlier route through the hills

2. Grouse butts at NH 8725 1156. Significance: local A number of low artificial mounds which may be the remains of shooting butts. The mounds consist of excavated subsoils and gravels, as shown by material pushed to the surface by rabbit burrowing, and there is a corresponding slight hollow on the upper side. There are approximately 6 such mounds, some of them doubles, not arranged in a straight line as usual for grouse shooting (Photos 1,2)

3. Structures at NH 8775 1087. Significance: local Within a dry grassy loop of stream bed, itself possibly dating from the artificial straightening of the stream, are two structures: A. is a low circle of rubble, approximately 2m in diameter at NH 8775 1087 (Photos 3, 4). This may not be of great age, as it contains a short section of wooden seat, but this may be a re-use of an older structure. B. at NH 8777 1087 is a shelter-like structure attached to the north bank of the former stream, consisting of a ‘L’ of loosely piled rubble approximately 2m in length (Photos 5,6). If these two structures had been located in a more remote area they would have been interpreted as typical shieling type structures. However, their proximity to the farm and positioning within the dry stream bed suggests some other form of temporary structures.

4. Sheep fank (site of) at NH 8785 1081. Significance: local The 1st edition OS map shows one roofed building with a small attached enclosure at this location. The 2nd edition OS map shows no building but two conjoined rectangular enclosures. This is located at the west end of an area of former improved and enclosed field. The only structure now visible is the remains of a rough concrete sheep dip.

5. Ford at NH 8797 1078 Significance: local A sunken trackway leads down to a ford at this location. It is not recorded as such on either 1st or 2nd edition OS maps. (Photo 7)

Sites at Kinakyle WTW

6. Access road to railway tunnel at NH 8920 1107. Significance: local

7 The present track leading from the B9152 to the railway underpass is, to the west, relatively new and, to the east, the original, probably 1862 alignment. This east, early section is a deeply excavated cut (Photo 8). Photo 9 shows both the old, to the right and the new alignments and photo 10 shows the rubble retaining wall on the upper side of the old alignment.

7. Kinakyle: site of houses At NH 8900 1110 Significance: Local Three buildings and a sheepfold are recorded at this location on the 1st and 2nd edition OS maps, each roofed with an attached enclosed garden. Of these, the middle one, ‘Kinakyle’ survives, one, together with the sheepfold, is located under the A9 and the third either under the present B9152 or the new alignment of the access track to the railway underpass. These buildings were most likely constructed in the mid to late 19th century.

8. Kinakyle township centred on NH 8915 1100. Significance: Regional Low, eroded and possibly robbed footings of at least four buildings occupy the open, level ground between the wooded slope and the railway embankment, probably corresponding to an early modern township of Kinakyle, abandoned by the mid-19th century. Building A. at NH 8911 1098 is approximately 11m in length, with rounded ends and may be a kiln barn, the kiln bowl being at the NE end. Attached to the SE of this are the low banks of a roughly square enclosure, possibly a stack yard (Photo 11, 12). Building B. at NH 8915 1100 measures 10m by 3m From its NW corner a possible dyke line runs NW up the slope curving W and becoming indistinct (Photo 13, 14). Building C at NH 8914 1100 is immediately to the north of B and measures only 4, in length (Photo 15, 16). Building D at NH 8916 1101 is a long building, 16m in length, aligned NNW-SSE and is probably the main dwelling of the settlement but is badly eroded (Photo 17). The erosion on these buildings is mostly caused by rabbits, whose burrowing has brought up one piece of cultural material: a fragment of plain pearlware ceramic. This would date to the first part of the 19th century and suggests the township was occupied into the 19th century. There is also a rubble filled pit at NH 8911 1096 of unknown function but possibly contemporary (Photo 18).

Sites at Kinakyle area of Boreholes

9. Bank, flow dyke centred on NH 8900 1045 Significance: Local Running parallel to the river edge all round the loop of the Spey is a substantial earth and rubble dyke. This is marked on the 1st edition OS map but may have been constructed as early as the 18th century. Elizabeth Grant of Rothiemurchus mentions ‘walking on the flowdyke round the farm’ (Doune) in 1813. (Photo 19)

Sites from Kinakyle WTW to Sluggangranish CWT

10. Old Roads at NH 8910 1115. Significance: Local At the top of the bank immediately west of the cut for the new B9152 alignment is an overgrown section of the previous road, the 19th century public road which

8 superseded Wade’s military road. A section of Wade’s road branches from the public road at this point, taking a line NNW, to the west of ‘Birch View’ an under the A9 then turning NE and crossing the low ground to the east of the steep retaining bank east of the present road.

11. Structure at NH 8911 1239. Significance: Local At the top of the grassy bank to the west of the MacDonald Centre complex is a small D-shaped structure, visible as low grassy banks approximately 5m in diameter (Photo 20) It is crossed by the post and wire fence. It seems highly unlikely that any structure would survive the construction of the MacDonald Centre and the adjacent A9 and no archaeological site has been recorded at this location, but it may be worth protecting or investigating.

12. Milton Woods, cup-marked stone at NH 8933 1368 SMR no. NH81SE0081 Significance: Regional Recorded by Ann Wakeling as adjacent to the path, equidistant between the sheep underpass on the A9 and the fenceline crossing the path to the north. This was not noted during the walk-over survey.(Photo 21)

13. Mill tailraces at NH 8937 1363. Significance: Local Two tailraces from the mill at Milton, which appear to be artificially dug channels, meet at this point before continuing south to join the Aviemore Burn.

14. Mill lade at NH 8936 1374 Significance: Local . At this point the lade for the former corn and meal mill at Milton crosses the footpath. It runs from a millpond and diversion channel, both formerly with sluices, to the west of the A9. Although this watercourse has a natural appearance it is presumably artificial

15. Milton, Township and corn mill at NH 894 138 SMR no. NH81SE0089 NMRS no. NH81SE 15 Significance: Local There is now no trace of any of the buildings of this township or the mill. The site is now developed with a group of modern houses . 16. Site of former buildings, township at NH 8926 1400. Significance: Local A small cluster of three roofed buildings, two unroofed buildings and two enclosures is recorded at this site on the 1st edition OS map. All these buildings appear to have been entirely removed, with the exception of stone footings within the small area fenced off for tree preservation, which may be an original 19th century building. The area surrounding this enclosure has had major earth moving work in advance of development, and can be considered archaeologically sterile.

9 4.5 Summary of Archaeological Sites

No new prehistoric sites were located during this evaluation. Of the 16 sites verified or identified, four (sites 1, 3, 8, 9) are likely to date to the early modern period or earlier, ie. ceased to be in use by the time of the 19th century agricultural improvements and other developments. The other sites are 19th century or later in origin, with the possible exception of site 11, which is unknown date and function.

Each site has been given an archaeological significance according to the guidelines of the Burra Charter. Two sites have been given Regional significance: the cup marked stone as an as yet rare example of this type of prehistoric monument in the Aviemore area, and Kinakyle early modern township which, although in a poor state of preservation, is of historical interest and survives where modern development in the Aviemore area has destroyed other contemporary sites.

5.0 Potential Impacts

The following sites, although recorded in the gazetteer, have no surviving features, and the present development can not be considered to have an adverse impact on them:

Sites 4, 7, 15, 16

The following sites are recorded in the gazetteer as adjacent to the development area, but should be far enough away to be unaffected:

Sites 1, 2, 5, 6, 14

The following sites are adjacent to the development area, but can be protected from accidental damage during construction work by marking out exclusion zones

Sites 3, 5, 8, 11, 12

The following sites may suffer some minor damage during construction, but are either large or long features of which only a small part will be affected or have already been investigated archaeologically prior to the construction of the A9

Sites 9, 10, 13

6.0 Proposed Mitigations

It is recommended that the sites listed above as potentially in danger of accidental damage during construction work be identified and marked out within exclusion zones by a competent archaeologist before any work commences, to ensure that not only are the protected from damage by the insertion of the water main, but also by the parking and turning of vehicles and plant, by the placing of materials or excavated earth near or on them or by the removal of stones or other material from the structures.

10 If site 11, the uncertain structure is to be directly damaged, it is recommended that a watching brief be carried out during ground breaking work, or an evaluation in some other form before work commences to ascertain its possible function and date.

Any future alterations to the planned work which may bring into the development areas not covered by this evaluation should be brought to the attention of the author to allow at least a desk-based assessment of the potential impact on the archaeological record.

7.0 Residual Impacts

The residual impact on the archaeological record after the implementation of mitigating measures should be minor damage to three structures, all linear features of local significance.

therine Dagg, BA, AIFA 2, Ruigh’Riabhach Scoraig Peninsula Dundonnell Wester Ross IV23 2RE Tel: 01854 633 337 5.11.07

Appendix 1. Data sources and bibliography

The following data sources were consulted during this evaluation:

Highland Sites and Monuments Record, held by the Archaeology Unit within Highland Council in Inverness National Monuments Record for Scotland, NMRS, held by the RCAHMS in Edinburgh Early maps online at www.old-maps.co.uk and held by the map library within the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh Valuation Rolls for the years 1869-1900 held by the Highland Archive in Inverness Census returns for 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881 held by the Genealogy Unit within Inverness library.

Appendix 2. Photographic record

Photo Site no. Site type Description View 1 2 Grouse butt Grass-covered mound of excavated subsoils, right, From N with depression to the left which may be excavated pit. Another butt behind to the right. 2 2 Grouse butt Grass-covered mound, with hollow in front, ie. From NW uphill 3 3a Structure Circular rubble structure within former stream bed From SW 4 3a Structure Circular rubble structure, detail From S 5 3b Structure Shelter-type structure attached to former stream From NW bank 6 3b Structure Shelter-type structure. Site 3a is visible in left From SE background. Present stream alignment to right 7 5 Ford Sunken cart track leading to ford From SW

8 6 Access road to Deeply excavated section of original trackway From E railway tunnel leading down to tunnel 9 6 Access road to Original 1860s trackway, right, and recent From E railway tunnel realignment, left, converging in foreground 10 Access road to Original 1860s trackway with retaining wall on From railway tunnel upper side ESE 11 8 Kinakyle Building A; low, grassy, rectangular footings in From NW Township centre of picture 12 8 Kinakyle Building A; detail of NW end, possible corn kiln From NW Township 13 8 Kinakyle Building B; stony footings of SE long wall running From S Township back from foreground 14 8 Kinakyle Building B; stony footings at base of slope From SE Township 15 8 Kinakyle Building C: low grassy footings in centre of picture From SW Township 16 8 Kinakyle Building C: NW corner From NW Township 17 8 Kinakyle Building D: low indistinct grassy footings of long From SE Township building running back from foreground 18 8 Kinakyle Rubble-filled pit From NW Township 19 9 Flow Dyke Grass-covered earth and rubble bank running From N parallel to river bank at SW side of loop 20 11 Structure Low grassy bank defining D-shaped structure From NE crossed by fence 21 12 Cup-marked Photograph by Ann Wakeling stone