Report of Archaeological Desktop & Walkover

Report of Archaeological Desktop & Walkover Survey

Skelpick, Strathnaver, Sutherland, Highland.

Centred NC 724/542

Client: McGlade Forestry

Stuart Farrell

B.A A.I.F.A F.S.A.Scot.

June 2013

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Acknowledgements

3. Objectives

4. Survey Results

5. Conclusions

6. Archive

7. Discovery and Excavation

8. References

Cover: View of burnt mound (site 1) facing NE.

Non-Technical Summary

Stuart Farrell was commissioned by McGlade Forestry in June 2013 to undertake an archaeological desktop and walkover survey for an area of proposed forestry at Skelpick, Strathnaver, Sutherland, Highland.

Work revealed a number of unrecorded archaeological sites of clearance cairns, shielings, structures and sheepfold.

A number of recommendations have been made in relation to the proposed scheme.

2 1. Introduction

This report is for an archaeological desktop and walkover survey conducted for McGlade Forestry for an area of 55 hectares of proposed forestry at Skelpick, Strathnaver, Sutherland, Highland.

The walkover survey was conducted on the 20th June 2013.

2. Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the following for their help during the work: - Mr. John McGlade of McGlade Forestry; - Staff of the Highland Council Archives, Inverness.

Stuart Farrell 39a Park Street Nairn Highland IV12 4PP

4 Figure 2 – Site Location. © McGlade Forestry.

6 Figure 5 –Location of Archaeological Sites 1:10,000. © McGlade Forestry.

7 3. Objectives

To conduct a desktop and walkover survey to record any archaeological features to the area of proposed forestry. This survey to follow those guidelines as proposed by the Institute of Field Archaeologists (IFA, 1999); and those of the Forestry Commission (FC, 2011).

4. Archaeological Survey

Desktop Results A desktop survey was conducted using the following sources: - Highland Council Historic Environment Records; - National Monuments Record of Scotland, Edinburgh; - National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh (Maps); - Local archives.

The area of proposed forestry is of a total of 55 hectares situated to the east side of the River Naver above Loch Ma Naire with areas of grassland and some areas of boggy ground with the ground rising to 50m above sea-level rising to the centre of the scheme. Peat cuttings to West of Loch Ma Naire and modern burrow pit at NC 72435/54867.

Map coverage was limited to the area of interest, as the 1 st edition OS of 1878 was almost the same as the 2 nd edition of 1904 with only one site being marked (see figures 3 and 4) and little survey work has been carried out in detail in the 20 th century, with the next edition being 1957. Early historical maps of the area do not provide enough detail for the area of forestry.

An enquiry to the RCAHMS re Aerial photographs for the area of proposed forestry noted that the area had very limited coverage and what was available was too high to be of any use. No archaeological survey work has previously been conducted to the proposed area of forestry except very limited work by the Ordnance Survey in 1960, 1977 and 1979.

The following archaeological sites were to be found in the proposed forestry area: HER – Highland Council Historic Environment Record NMRS - National Monuments Record of Scotland N/a – not available Recommendations are given after each site.

8 1 – Achargary HER – MHG 10957 NMRS – NC75SW 27 Grid Ref: NC 7229/5493 Type – Burnt Mound

Noted in HER and NMRS of ‘At NC 7229 5493, above the west bank of a stream, is a crescentic burnt mound, the open end facing onto the stream. It measures 11.0m across the open end by 10.0m transversely by 1.0m high; rabbit burrowing reveals blackened earth and fragments of heat stained friable stone. Along the slopes just east of the mounds are occasional stony heaps of a type usually associated with hut circle field clearance. Surveyed at 1:10,000. Visited by OS 18 July 1977.’

Walkover reveals site to be at NC 72309/54930 on an east-facing slope above a stream with bank to West side 1m high and 1.5m wide, widening to NE, overlain with fence line on its south edge. Covered partly in bracken (see photo on cover). Only a few mounds closeby but no evidence for stone in them.

Site to be excluded from scheme and 10m exclusion area put in place.

2 – Loch Ma Naire HER – MHG 10855 NMRS – NC75SW 6 Grid Ref: NC 7254/5399 Type – Cairnfield, Hut Circle

Noted in HER and NMRS of ‘ NC 7254 5399. A circular enclosure 13.0m in diameter was discovered during field investigation. No entrance is apparent, thus it may be an old sheepfold. Visited by OS 5 May 1960. Levelled into the east flank of a spur is a tumbled and turf-covered enclosure, probably overlying a hut circle. It measures 12.0m in diameter within a wall about 1.4m wide and 1.0m maximum height in the NW. The wall forms a complete circuit; there is no entrance discernible. The absence of boulder facing stones and an entrance, the height of the wall in relation to the width, and the slight anguarity of the remains suggest that this enclosure is contemporary with the nearby early modern building foundations and associated rig-and- furrow. But the size, the wall width, the setting into the slope, and the proximity of about twenty scattered stone clearance heaps to the north may indicate a hut circle subsequently modified for a stock enclosure. Re-surveyed at 1:10,000. Visited by OS 30 January 1979.’

Walkover reveals site of circular enclosure at NC 72552/53983 c13m in diameter overall with walls up to 1m high and 0.8m wide (see plate 4) though very denuded in places, in a very sheltered spot so possibly a sheepfold rather than suggestion of it being a hut circle. On its E side at NC 72565/53984 are the remains of rectangular shieling 3m EW by 5.5m NS with no sign of entrance, denuded to SE by sheep track small CC to SE 2m in diameter by 0.2m high. There is no indication of this being a hut circle. (See site 8 for Cairnfield)

Site to be excluded from scheme and 10m exclusion area put in place.

3 – Loch Ma Naire HER – MHG 18146 NMRS – NC75SW 77 Grid Ref: NC 726/539 Type – Farmstead

Noted in HER and NMRS of ‘ This farmstead comprises four unroofed structures and two enclosures as depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Sutherland 1878, sheet xxvii). Two enclosures are shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10,560 (1962).Information from RCAHMS 21 August 1995.’

Walkover reveals site to be comprised of the following: A – Rectangular structure at NC 72586/53913 17m NE-SW by 7m with 2 nd compartment 3m x 16m with entrance to SE with walls 0.6m wide and up to 0.3m high probably a sheepfold. As shown on OS but track now runs to S of structure.

B – Field Wall NC 72633/53885 to NC 72644/53894 lost by edge of burn heads NNW as shown on OS map. No trace of wall as shown on OS map of a rectangular shape though area very heavy with bracken.

Sketch of structure c.

C – Sheepfold at NC 72645/53994 aligned NS with walls to N 2m wide (possibly reusing earlier house?) 3m by 12m with 2 nd structure on W side 2m by 12m open to N with 2 nd structures 3m by 7.5m to S. Covered in bracken with walls up to 0.8m wide and 0.5m high.

D – House at NC 72639/54014 3m by 7m with walls NE and S spread to 1.5m with Field Wall as W wall 2.6m high, possible entrance to E. Field Walls ends at NC 72625/54060 with a Clearance Cairn on its W edge at NC 72624/54057 2m in diameter and 0.2m high.

Sites to be excluded from scheme and 10m exclusion area put in place.

4 – Loch Ma Naire HER – MHG 11110 NMRS – NC75SW 15 Grid Ref: NC 726/537 Type – Holy Well

Noted in HER and NMRS of ‘A holy well in the vicinity of Loch ma Naire (Horsburgh 1870) (NC 726 537) had a place in the ceremonies associated with the healing properties which made the loch a resort of sick people from the neighbouring counties as late as the mid - 19th century. NSA (written by Rev D MacKenzie - 1834) 1845; J Horsburgh 1870; Name Book 1873. The holy well has not located during field investigation. Visited by OS 6 May 1960. No change to the previous field report. Visited by OS 19 July 1977.’

Walkover reveals no trace of site.

No recommendations to be made.

It should be noted that a Burnt Mound shown on Past Map and HER at NC 72608/54712 to the eastern edge of the scheme should be located to the East of the scheme at NC 72560/54716.

The following additional sites were recorded during the walkover survey:

5 – Achargary HER – N/a NMRS – N/a

10 Grid Ref: NC 72327/54681 Type – Structure, Clearance Cairns

Walkover reveals structure at NC 72327/54681 3.5m² with bank on NW side, rectangular scoop to centre aligned NE-SW possibly a shooting butt, immediately to the SW is a small clearance cairn at NC 72319.54675 2.5m in diameter 0.2m high (see plate 1), to the W by the of the river escarpment is a second clearance cairn at NC 72289/54654 4m diameter by 0.6m high – all these lie on a flat plateau of ground but no indication of it being a field system

Site to be excluded from scheme and 5m exclusion area put in place.

6 – Loch Ma Naire HER – N/a NMRS – N/a Grid Ref: NC 7247/5413 (centred) Type – Clearance Cairns

Walkover reveals a number of clearance cairns with a possible field plot of open ground to North (see plate 2) of a group of cairns – - CC at NC 72460/54139 2m in diameter spread down slope - 3 CC at NC 72470/54133 2.5m in diameter and 0.5m high - CC at NC 72475/54133 3m in diameter and 0.5m high - CC at NC 72488/54135 5m in diameter and 1.2m high - CC at NC 72497/54139 2m in diameter and 0.5m high - CC at NC 72482/54166 5m in diameter spread down slope (this cairn to N side of plot) - CC at NC 72507/54160 2m in diameter spread down slope

Site to be excluded from scheme and 5m exclusion area put in place around each cairn.

7 – Loch Ma Naire HER – N/a NMRS – N/a Grid Ref: NC 7256/5413 (centred) Type – Shielings

Walkover reveals rectangular structure, possibly a shieling, at NC 72560/54139 aligned E-W 3.5m NS by 4.5m EW but with no sigh on an entrance with bank 0.2m high and 0.2m wide (see plate 3). A possible second structure, though not so well defined lies at NC 72553/54134 approximately the same size but only with a bank to the N and W visible. Both sit atop a small ridge.

Site to be excluded from scheme and 10m exclusion area put in place.

8 – Loch Ma Naire HER – N/a NMRS – N/a Grid Ref: NC 7255/5410 (centred) Type – Clearance Cairns

Walkover reveals a number of clearance cairns with a possible field plot of open ground to a group of cairns – - CC at NC 72536/54113 5m in diameter spread down slope - CC at NC 72554/54105 5m diameter and 1.5m high down slope on S side open ground to W, 2 other CC’s visible to S but both heavily covered in bracken - CC at NC 72558/54093 3m in diameter and 1m high - CC at NC 72556/54083 4m in diameter and 1m high

11 - CC at NC 72569/54057 2m in diameter and 0.5m high

Site to be excluded from scheme and 5m exclusion area put in place around each cairn.

9 – Loch Ma Naire HER – N/a NMRS – N/a Grid Ref: NC 7250/5399 (centred) Type – Clearance Cairns

Walkover reveals a number of clearance cairns with a possible field plot of open ground to a group of cairns – - CC at NC 72518/53990 4m in diameter spread down slope to W - CC at NC 72500/53993 6m in diameter spread down slope to W - CC at NC 72503/54013 4m in diameter spread down slope to W - CC at NC 72509/54009 3m in diameter spread down slope to W - CC at NC 72488/53999 5m in diameter spread down slope – possibly been dug into - CC at NC 72483/54006 4m in diameter spread down slope to W - CC at NC 72464/54013 3m in diameter by 1m high with drain and bank to CC at NC 72456/53991 4m in diameter high with Possible field plot within - CC at NC 72479/53992 5m in diameter spread down slope to W

Site to be excluded from scheme and 5m exclusion area put in place around each cairn.

10 – Loch Ma Naire HER – N/a NMRS – N/a Grid Ref: NC 72318/53973 Type – Structure

Walkover reveals small square structure 3.5m² with cut to centre 1m x 1m with bank 0.5m wide all-around of stone and turf (see plate 5) – probably a shooting butt as it sits between both areas of un-named lochs to the NW of Loch Ma Naire.

Site to be excluded from scheme and 10m exclusion area put in place.

11 – Loch Ma Naire HER – N/a NMRS – N/a Grid Ref: NC 72501/53853 Type – Clearance Cairn (possible)

Walkover reveals possible clearance cairn by edge of track – very denuded by sheep 2m in diameter, sits along edge of area of boggy ground, overall not very convincing as no others in vicinity.

Site to be excluded from scheme and 5m exclusion area put in place.

12 – Loch Ma Naire HER – N/a NMRS – N/a Grid Ref: NC 72374/55137 Type – Clearance material

Walkover reveals large dump of clearance material to corner of rough ground, possibly from improved field that lie adjacent to N. c 10m by 6m.

Site to be excluded from scheme and 5m exclusion area put in place.

13 – Loch Ma Naire HER – N/a NMRS – N/a Grid Ref: NC 72314/55136 Type – Sheepfold (possible)

Walkover reveals circular structure, possibly sheepfold with walls spread to 2m c 12m diameter. (site visible on Google Earth)

Site to be excluded from scheme and 10m exclusion area put in place.

5. Conclusions

Overall the area for proposed planting is of grass, some bracken with occasional areas of wet ground with some trees along the River Naver to the SW corner of the scheme.

The structures revealed around Loch Ma Naire probably relates to a former farming landscape of a post-medieval date, the area forming part of Strathnaver that was cleared by the Sutherland Estate in 1814.

6. Archive A copy of this report is to be deposited in the National Monuments Record of Scotland in Edinburgh.

7. Discovery & Excavation in Scotland A short summary of the results of this project will be submitted to the Council for Scottish Archaeology’s publication Discovery & Excavation in Scotland.

8. References

Forestry Commission (2011) Forests and historic environment – UK Forestry Standard Guidelines. Forestry Commission. Edinburgh.

Highland Council Historic Environment Record entries MHG 10855, 10957, 11110 and 18146.

IFA (1999) By-laws, Standards and Policy Statements of the Institute of Field Archaeologists. Reading.

National Monuments Record of Scotland CANMORE entries for NC75NW 27 and NC75SW 6, 15 and 77.

13 Maps Consulted

Ordnance Survey 1 st edition 6inch-mile sheet 27 Sutherland of 1878 surveyed 1873. Ordnance Survey 2 nd edition 6inch-mile sheet 27 Sutherland of 1906 revised 1904. Ordnance Survey 1inch-mile map sheet 10 of 1959.

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Photo Register

1 – View of site facing S from south of site 1. 2 – View of site facing N from south of site 1. 3 – View of site 1 facing W – scale 2m. 4 – View of site 1 facing NE – scale 2m. 5 – View of site 1 facing E – scales 2m. 6 – View of site 5 facing N – scales 2m. 7 – View of site 5 facing E – scales 2m. 8 – View of site 5 facing NE – scale 2m. 9 – View of cc at site 5 facing W – scales 2m. 10 – View of cc at site 6 facing SE – scales 2m. 11 – View of field plot at site 6 facing W. 12 – View of shieling 1 at site 7 facing NE – scales 2m. 13 – View of shieling 1 at site 7 facing NW – scales 2m. 14 – View of shieling 2 at site 7 facing NW – scales 2m. 15 – View of cc site 8 facing NNE – scales 2m. 16 – View of cc site 8 facing E – scale 2m. 17 – View of cc site 8 facing SE – scale 2m. 18 – View of cc site 9 facing N. 19 – View of sheepfold site 2 facing S – scale 2m. 20 – View of sheepfold site 2 facing N. 21 – View of shieling at site 2 facing N – scales 2m. 22 – View of cc site 9 facing N – scale 2m. 23 – View of structure at site 10 facing NE – scales 2m. 24 – View of structure at site 10 facing E – scales 2m. 25 – View of cc at site 11 facing NE – scales 2m. 26 – View of sheepfold at site 3 facing NE – scales 2m. 27 – View of field wall at site 3 facing NE. 28 – View of house at site 3 facing N – scales 2m. 29 – View of clearance material site 12 facing W with site 13 in background – scales 2m. 30 – View of clearance material site 12 facing NW – scales 2m.

14 Top: Plate 1 – View of site 5 facing E – scale 2m (picture 008).

Bottom: Plate 2 – View of site 6 facing W (picture 012).

15 Top: Plate 3 – View of shieling 1 at site 7 facing NW – scales 2m. (Picture 013)

Bottom: Plate 4 – View of sheepfold site 2 facing S – scale 2m. (picture 019)

16 Top: Plate 5 – View of site 10 facing NE – scales 2m. (Picture 024)

Bottom: Plate 6 – View of site 3 structure C facing N – scales 2m. (Picture 028)

17 Bottom: Plate 7 – View of site 12 facing NW – scales 2m. (Picture 030)