Archaeology Hebrides 2007.9: Archaeological Watching Brief at Leckmelm Farm
Carried out by Ian Mchardy at the request of the Highland Council Planning and Development services’ Archaeology Unit Archaeology Hebrides 2007.9: Archaeological Watching Brief at Leckmelm Farm, Loch Broom
Table of Contents
Non-technical summary…………..2 Introduction……………………….2 Results…………………………….2 Conclusions……………………….2
Appendix 1- Project design/ brief..……………………...4 Appendix 2 –Written Scheme of Investigation…………5 Figure 1 – Location map………………………………..10 Table 1 – Photographic register…...……………………11 Table 2 – Un-stratified Finds…………………………...11
Ian McHardy, B(Sc) Hons, Associate of the Institute of Field Archaeologists, 13a Benside, Laxdale, HS2 ODS [email protected]
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1.0 Non-Technical Summary
An archaeological watching brief was requested by the Highland Council Planning and Development Services Archaeology Unit in relation to a new access road being created for Leckmelm farm, Loch Broom, Wester Ross, for Miss Lucy Beattie of Farm cottage, Leckmelm. The road was due to be constructed through the corner of a field which may have been the site of a late Medieval battle (see appendix 1). Two un-stratified pieces of burnt flint and a possible quartz blade were found, as well as sherds of 19th and 20th century pottery and glass. No features of archaeological significance were found. A local metal detectorist, Mr Fraser McKenzie, now of Lochinver but formerly of Leckmelm, undertook an ad hoc survey of the whole field and spoil heaps whilst the works were underway, and found only badly rusted 19th and 20th century iron objects of agricultural origin.
2.0 Introduction The field in which the development took place lies on the north shore of Loch Broom around NH1648 9075, (SMR No.NH19SE0002) immediately south of the main A835 Ullapool - Dingwall trunk road and immediately west of the Leckmelm Farm. It is currently generally well drained pasture land, but could also be suitable for arable or other crops. Burns run down from the higher ground to the north on both the east and west sides of the field. Work on the access road was undertaken by local contractor Kenneth Maclean, Inverbroom during the 7th-14th of September 2007. All excavations relating to this work conformed to the specification laid out in the WSI document (appendix 1), which was subject to approval by the Highland Archaeology Unit. The methodology proposed is in line with the policies expressed in NPPG 5 and PAN 42, and was laid out in the Project Design (appendix 2), and adhered to all relevant standards and guidance, such as the IFA standards for archaeological watching brief.
3.0 Results
There were no features of archaeological significance uncovered whilst excavating the roadway. Some finds were retrieved (burnt flint, possible quartz blade, 19th/20th century ceramics and glass), but were all un-stratified, although noteworthy. These will be deposited with the Highland Councils Archaeology unit.
4.0 Conclusions
The works undertaken seem to suggest that the battle may not have taken place in the field in question, and may have instead been some where else nearby. There were no archaeological features or finds associated with the battle, and the complete lack of metal detector finds which could be associated with the battle also seems strange, given that
- 2 - Archaeology Hebrides 2007.9: Archaeological Watching Brief at Leckmelm Farm, Loch Broom metal detecting is often the best ways to investigate a battlefield site (Sutherland, T.L. 2005). The burial mentioned in the SMR may have little to do with the battle- a stone built coffin or cist requires time and effort which would seem a little unusual for victims of a battle who fell a long way from home. It may be that a chief would be afforded such honour, but as mentioned the chief was buried at Clachan. The method of burial could equally be of Iron age/Pictish date when inhumation burials in stone cists were widespread across the highlands. It is also not certain where the big house of Leckmelm would have been situated in 1585, nor if the current field associated with the name is the same size and shape as it was originally. Certainly Mr. A.G. Pirie substantially changed the layout of the area when in 1880 he built the large, purpose built farm complex which remains to this day. There is an oral tradition that the original big house stood within or adjacent to a walled garden which remains on the southside of the farm, at least 200m distant. The current owner does not refer to the field in question as Pairc an Tigh Mhor, nor have she heard the term used in connection with the field. It is thus not certain exactly where the battle may have been fought. The abundance of game, freshwater and sea fish, as well as fertile, well drained soils has doubtless lead to some sort of exploitation of the area by humans since our first arrival in the Highlands. The burnt flint and possible quartz blade are evidence of such pre-historic activity. However it is worth noting that the field has been ploughed for many years, making the survival of any pre-historic features which these finds may have come from less likely.
References
Dagg, Cathy (1990) “Prehistoric Loch Broom and Assynt” Loch Broom field club, LochBroom. Eltringham, S (2004) “The evolution of settlement on a 19th century estate” Unpublished undergraduate thesis, Glasgow University Mckie, E.W. (1968) “Excavations on Loch Broom, Ross and Cromarty”, 2 nd interim report. PSAS- Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries. Name Books Original Name Books of the Ordnance Survey, 1 st (18??) and 2nd (1882) editions. Sutherland, T.L. (2005) “Battlefield Archaeology – A guide to the Archaeology of Conflict” at WWW.bajr.org/Documents/BAJRBattleGuide.pdf The Statistical Accounts of the Parish of Loch Broom, First (1790) and Second (1835)
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Acknowledgements:
Many thanks to all the people of Leckmelm farm for their help and advice in preparing this report, and provision of materials such as the unpublished thesis. Also to Mr ????????/?/? for his metal detector survey which although inconclusive does provide evidence that the battlefield may be in another position than previously thought.
Appendix 1: Project Design/Brief
The aim of watching briefs is to record the presence/ absence, date, character and quality of any archaeological deposits within the development area by observing and recording all excavations and other ground disturbance works undertaken by the development contractors. To enable the watching brief to be carried out efficiently the developer may need to change standard working practices to accommodate the archaeological work. To enable proper monitoring, the developer will ensure that the archaeological contractor is timeously informed of the work programme. The time needed for notification should be agreed between client and archaeological contractor at the appointment of the contractor. The number of archaeologists present on site will be commensurate with the number and scale of operations requiring archaeological observations taking place on site at any one time, and will be at the professional discretion of the archaeological contractor. Clearance of the site will usually take place by machine, under the constant supervision of an archaeologist. A back-acting excavator equipped with a smooth-bladed ditching bucket should be employed, the size of the excavator being commensurate with the nature of the site. If, during the course of work, any significant features or artefacts are located, the archaeologist(s) will record them. The archaeologist will be allowed between at leats 0.5 hour and 4 hours to record features or to carry out salvage excavation to sample deposits or to retrieve artefacts as appropriate. Where deposits or features of major significance are identified, the developer and the Regional Archaeologist will be notified within one working day. Where human remains are encountered, work will be stopped, the area left undisturbed, and the police and the Regional Archaeologist informed immediately. Any finds should be removed from the site each day, cleaned, dried and stored until disposed of via due legal process. If storage is a problem, the archaeological contractor should contact Museum nan Eilean to arrange temporary accommodation. The developer will be responsible for the costs of the archaeological work, including the analysis and publication of results where required. The developer will have overall responsibility for health & safety on the site.
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Appendix 2: Written Scheme of Investigation Archaeological Field Evaluation Written Scheme of Investigation
1.0 General Information
1.1 Planning Issues
This Written Scheme of Investigation relates to the Highland Council Planning and Development Services Archaeology Unit’s request for an archaeological watching brief to be carried out during the construction of a new farm access track for Leckmelm Farm, Loch Broom, Wester Ross. It has been prepared by Mr Ian McHardy (AIFA), on the 11th September 2007, for Miss Lucy Beattie of Farm cottage, Leckmelm.
The watching brief has been deemed necessary chiefly because there is potential for finds or features associated with the 1585 Battle of Leckmelm, fought between the Gunns and Mackays to be impacted by the proposed development. The results of the watching brief will inform any further archaeological works required and any future planning issues in the area. Any excavations relating to this work will conform to this document, which is subject to approval by the Highland Archaeology Unit. The methodology proposed is in line with the policies expressed in NPPG 5 and PAN 42.
1.2 Aims and Objectives
This watching brief is designed to establish the presence or absence of archaeological remains surviving within the area of the proposed development. If archaeological deposits or structures are revealed during the course of the brief, the extent, nature, date and significance of the remains will be established as far as is possible. If the remains are more extensive than can be adequately recorded by one archaeologist in the available time then advice will be sought from the Highland Council Planning and development services’ archaeological unit.
1.3 Archaeological Potential
The field in which the proposed development will take place lies on the north shore of Loch Broom around NH1648 9075, (SMR No. NH19SE0002) immediately South of the main A835 Ullapool - Dingwall trunk road and immediately West of the Leckmelm Farm. It is currently generally well drained pasture land, but could also be suitable for arable or other crops. Burns run down from the high ground to the north on both the east and west sides of the field.
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The field is thought to have been the site of a battle fought between Clansmen from Gunns of Sutherland and Clan Mackay in 1585 (ACM Mitford 1936). The battle was fought “by the farm steading of Leckmelm” and although the chief is buried in Clachan graveyard across the Loch, many Gunns “were buried where they fell, in the Pairc an Tigh Mhor” or field of the big house (ibid). The field we are now investigating is thought to be the Pairc an Tigh Mhor, and some years ago what sounds like an inhumation burial was discovered in this field whilst trenching – “a grave built of flags containing human bone” (SMR records, anon, undated). There is other evidence for ancient activity in the environs, with an Iron age site at NH1695 9008 (SMR No. NH19SE0001), Dun Lagaidh (Mckie, E.W. 1968) and many crofting (NH19SE0012, NH19SE0013) and pre-crofting (NH19SE 003) buildings and settlements nearby. The name Ullapool most likely refers to an erstwhile Norse settlers’ farmstead (Dagg, C 1990), and the place name “Annait Bay” (ibid) on the opposite bank of Loch Broom is thought to date from the early Christian era. The first statistical account (1790) mentions a “Mineral Spring” at “Leckmelm, about 2 miles east of Ullapool, which is thought to be of very salubrious quality”. As the modern Leckmelm farm (built by A.G. Pirie in 1880) is situated a little further than 2 miles from Ullapool then this spring is presumably somewhere in between the battle field in question and Ullapool. The abundance of game, freshwater and sea fish and later on fertile, well drained soils has doubtless lead to some sort of exploitation of this area by humans since our first arrival in the Highlands. Therefore archaeology of all periods is probably represented in the area and could potentially be discovered in the course of the watching brief.
References
Dagg, Cathy (1990) “Prehistoric Loch Broom and Assynt” Loch Broom field club, LochBroom. Eltringham, S (2004) “The evolution of settlement on a 19th century estate” Unpublished undergraduate thesis, Glasgow University Mckie, E.W. (1968) “Excavations on Loch Broom, Ross and Cromarty”, 2nd interim report. PSAS- Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries.
Name Books Original Name Books of the Ordnance Survey, 1st and 2nd editions. The Statistical Accounts of the Parish of Loch Broom, First (1790) and Second (1835)
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2.0 Summary of Requirements
Site summary Rural site
Location (NGR) NH1648 9075 (centre of borrow pit))
Total area of development Up to 800m2 for borrow pit, circa 500m2 for access track
Work required Archaeological Watching Brief
Area of excavation required Up to c. 1300m2
Number of field staff 1
Estimated on-site requirement 2 days
Start date 13th September 2007
Completion of draft report 15th September 2007
2.1 Client’s responsibilities
The client must give Ian Mchardy reasonable notice of any ground-works taking place at the site, to ensure that planning permission is not compromised. The client is required to clear the site of any debris prior to the commencement of the archaeological excavations. This is only to be carried out to ground level. Any ground disturbance during cleaning operations must be monitored by an archaeologist at all times, until the results of the archaeological evaluation have been reported. The client will provide a suitable machine and operator for opening the trenches, which is to be done under the supervision of an archaeologist. The client will be responsible for maintaining the boundaries and security of the site, and for ensuring that livestock do not have access to the site until all excavation work is completed. Any spoil created during the archaeological excavation will be left on site. Backfilling and reinstatement of the site is the responsibility of the client.
2.2 Excavation Methodology
Archaeological watching brief does not usually involve the excavation of archaeological features by hand, unless unexpected and interesting features are uncovered. However any features of potential interest which are discovered will be recorded in full using the Single Context Recording System, allowing full cross-referencing of stratigraphy, finds, and environmental samples, as well as site-wide phasing. All features will be planned at a
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2.3 Monitoring of Work
Close contact will be maintained with the client and the Highland Archaeology Service for the purpose of managing the project. Important or unexpected discoveries will be communicated to the client and to Kirsty Cameron, the Highland Archaeologist, with whom a monitoring visit will be arranged.
2.4 Reporting
Reporting will be as required by article 5 of the Highland Councils Planning and Development Service Archaeology Units’ “Brief for archaeological work at: New Access at Leckmelm Farm, Ullapool” (RC-05-815) document dated 30/08/07. Copies of the report will be forwarded to all relevant parties.
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2.5 Contacts
Client Miss Lucy Beattie Farm Cottage, Leckmelm Farm, Loch Broom, Wester Ross
Archaeological “Archaeology 13a Benside, contractor Hebrides” Laxdale c/o Mr Ian Mchardy Isle of Lewis. AIFA HS2 0DS
Local Authority Kirsty Cameron Highland Council Planning and Archaeological Officer Development Service Archaeology Unit, Highland Council, Inverness
2.6 General Conditions and Health & Safety
The Health and Safety at Work Act, and Code of Conduct of the Institute of Field Archaeologists, will be adhered to. All appropriate PPE will be worn. A Risk Assessment will be carried out for all fieldwork. Written Schemes of Investigation and Estimates are prepared on the basis that the site can be worked on in safety. Health and Safety considerations may necessitate revisions of the scope, cost and timetable of investigations.
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Table 1 – Photographic register
Number Subject Facing Leckmelm01 Pre-excavation S Leckmelm02 Metal Detecting S Leckmelm03 Access road mid- excavation S Leckmelm04 Access road N Leckmelm05 Borrow pit W Leckmelm06 Borrow pit W
Table 2 – Un-stratified Finds
Number Description US1 Burnt flint US2 Quartz Blade? US3 19th/20th century pottery US4 19th/20th century glass
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