An Archaeological Survey for the Dubh Lighe Hydro Scheme, Fassfern Estate, , , .

For Hydroplan UK.

April 2013.

Jennifer G. Robertson MA PhD FSA Scot. MIFA

Garden Cottage, Ardtornish Estate, Morvern, By Oban, , PA80 5UZ. Tel. 01967 421234. E-Mail [email protected]

Dubh Lighe Hydro Scheme

1.Summary. 24 archaeological sites were recorded in a desk-based and walkover survey at Gleann Dubh Lighe, Fassfern Estate, Loch Eil, Lochaber, Highland. Most were associated with the agricultural landscape of either pre-clearance farmsteads or of the subsequent phase of sheep-farming, though a significant number resulted from the woodland management practices of the 18th century and later.

No scheduled ancient monuments or listed buildings are situated within the vicinity of the survey area.

The archaeological sites with grid references, impact assessments and mitigations are summarized in Table 1 in Appendix A.

2. Introduction. An archaeological survey was undertaken on behalf of Hydroplan UK., at Gleann Dubh Lighe, Fassfern Estate, Loch Eil, Lochaber, Highland (OS 1:10.000 Sheet NM98SW), prior to the proposed construction of a hydro scheme. (See Fig 1: Location Map)

The proposed hydro scheme at Dubh Lighe consists of: (See Fig. 4):

a) Intake 1 on the Dubh Lighe at approx. NM 94793 83659. b) A buried pipeline from Intake 1 along firstly the East bank of Dubh Lighe to approximately NM 94475 81725 and then along the West bank to c) Powerhouse 1 on the West bank of Dubh Lighe at approx. NM 93300 80250 d) An additional water supply is captured from Intake 2 on the Allt Coire na Breac Leitir at approx. NM 94769 83470 and conveyed by aqueduct to Intake 1. e) A further additional water supply is captured from Intake 3 on the Allt an Tuim Ruaidh at approx. NM 92943 81074 and conveyed by a buried pipeline to the main pipeline.

Fig. 1: Location Map (Extract from OS Explorer 398 Loch Morar & Mallaig) (© Crown copyright 2003. All rights reserved. Licence number 10044103)

J.G.Robertson. Ardtornish. April 2013. 1 Dubh Lighe Hydro Scheme

The survey area lies on quartz, schists and gneiss of the metamorphic Moine succession and consists of sloping ground, rising from 10m to a height of 200m OD. Apart from the uppermost part of the survey area, the pipelines run through coniferous plantations, which have been part of a forestry programme since the 1950’s. Many of these have been ploughed prior to planting.

The survey area consists of a narrow strip of ground, 50m either side of the proposed pipelines, an area 50m in diameter around the intakes and 100m in diameter around the powerhouse.

3. Working Methods. The survey consisted of a combination of a desk-based assessment and a rapid walkover survey.

3.1. Desk-based Assessment. The desk-based assessment consisted of the consultation of a variety of sources:

3.1.1. Sites and Monuments Registers. a) The National Monuments Record of (NMRS), held by RCAHMS, John Sinclair House, 16 Bernard Terrace, Edinburgh EH8 9NX, available on www.rcahms.gov.uk b) The Historic Environment Record (HER), held by the Highland Council Archaeology Unit, Planning and Development Service, Glenurquhart Road, , IV3 5NX, available on www.ambaile.org

Three sites are relevant to the survey area:

1. Dubh Lighe – farmstead (possible) at NM 9488 8349 (Site 23) NMRS Ref. NM98SW.12 HER ref. MHG 34998 “What may be a farmstead comprising one unroofed building and an attached enclosure is depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Argyllshire 1875, sheet v). One unroofed building of two compartments and with an attached enclosure are shown on the current edition of the OS 1:1000