Lochdhu, Nairn Highland Region
Desk-Based Assessment
Report No. 1814
CFA ARCHAEOLOGY LTD
The Old Engine House Eskmills Business Park Musselburgh East Lothian EH21 7PQ
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Author Magnus Kirby MA FSA Scot AIfA Illustrator Graeme Carruthers MA MAAIS Editor Melanie Johnson MA PHD FSA Scot MIfA Commissioned by Scotia Homes (North) Ltd, Barratt East Scotland and Robertson Homes Date issued August 2010 Version 0 OASIS Reference N/A Planning Application No N/A Grid Ref NH 877 548
This document has been prepared in accordance with CFA Archaeology Ltd standard operating procedures.
Lochdhu, Nairn Highland Region
Desk-Based Assessment
Report No. 1814
CONTENTS
1. Introduction 3
2. Planning and Legislative Background 3
3. Methods 5
4. Archaeological Baseline 5
5. Discussion 7
6. Conclusion 8
7. References 9
APPENDICES
Appendix 1 Gazetteer of Sites and Monuments 10
ILLUSTRATIONS (bound at rear)
Fig. 1 Sites within study area
Fig. 2 Aerial photograph of Site 2
MUDL/1814/0 2 CFA 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 This report presents the results of an archaeological desk-based assessment for a proposed mixed use development at Lochdhu, Nairn, Highland Region (NGR: NH 877 548) (Fig. 1). CFA Archaeology was commissioned by Scotia Homes (North) Ltd, Barratt East Scotland and Robertson Homes to undertake an archaeological desk-based assessment with the objectives of:
• identifying the archaeological baseline within the study area;
• assessing the study area in terms of its archaeological potential.
2. PLANNING AND LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND
2.1 Context
2.1.1 Scotland’s historic environment contributes to the Scottish Government’s strategic objectives and to the National Performance Framework. The Scottish Historic Environment Policy (SHEP) document sets out Scottish Ministers’ policies for the historic environment, and provides policy direction for Historic Scotland and a framework that informs the day-to-day work of a range of organisations that have a role and interest in managing the historic environment. Through SHEP Scottish Ministers are determined to achieve three outcomes for Scotland’s historic environment:
1) That the historic environment is cared for, protected and enhanced for the benefit of our own and future generations. 2) To secure greater economic benefits from the historic environment. 3) That the people of Scotland and visitors to our country value, understand and enjoy the historic environment.
2.1.2 Cultural heritage resources include sites with statutory and non-statutory designations, as defined in Scottish Planning Policy (SPP). Sites with statutory designations include:
• Scheduled Monuments. • Listed Buildings. • Conservation Areas. • Designated Wrecks.
2.1.3 Sites with non-statutory designations include:
• World Heritage Sites. • Gardens and Designed Landscapes. • Other Historic Environment Interests.
2.1.4 Relevant features here are other historic environment interests.
MUDL/1814/0 3 CFA 2.2 Sites with Non-Statutory Designations
Other Historic Environment Interests
2.2.1 There is a range of other non-designated archaeological sites, monuments and areas of historic interest, including battlefields, historic landscapes, other gardens and designed landscapes, woodlands and routes such as drove roads that do not have statutory protection. Sites without statutory protection are curated by the local planning authority, and SPP and PAN 42 provide national planning policy guidance and advice on the treatment of such resources.
2.2.2 SPP requires that planning authorities ensure that development plans provide land use policy frameworks for the protection, conservation and enhancement of the historic environment within which any development impacts can be properly assessed. PAN 42 indicates that the principle that should underlie all planning decision-making is preservation of cultural resources in situ, where possible, and by record if destruction cannot be avoided. It is recognised in the PAN that preservation may not always be possible, and where damage is unavoidable various mitigation measures may be proposed.
2.3 Structure and Local Plan
Structure Plan
2.3.1 Paragraph 2.15.6 of the Highland Structure Plan 2001 states that Strategic Policy G2 preserves archaeological sites and their settings wherever possible. If exceptionally, this proves impossible, The Council will seek to mitigate the impact and require that features be fully recorded to professional standards before destruction, by excavation if necessary. The case for preservation applies particularly to monuments of national importance, some of which are scheduled monuments. NPPG 5 Archaeology and Planning, indicates the importance attached to preservation in situ, and within an appropriate setting, of such monuments of national importance. In addition to planning consent, the prior written consent of Scottish Ministers in terms of scheduled monument consent is required for any work affecting them.
2.3.2 Policy BC1 (Preservation of archaeological sites) states that archaeological sites affected by development proposals should be preserved, or, in exceptional circumstances where preservation is impossible, the sites will be recorded at developers’ expense to professional standards. Provision will be made in Local Plans for the appropriate protection, preservation and enhancement of archaeological sites.
Nairnshire Local Plan 2000
2.3.3 Paragraph 1.34 (Heritage and Environment) of the Nairnshire Local Plan states that a sustainable future requires to balance protection for the environment with responsible development and management of the area’s resources.
MUDL/1814/0 4 CFA 3. METHODS
3.1 This assessment was conducted in accordance with the Institute for Archaeologists’ Code of Conduct (IfA 2002) and relevant Standards and Guidance. Recording and assessment were conducted according to established CFA methods. A list of all sources consulted during the assessment is provided in Section 7.
3.2 Up-to-date information was sought from the National Monuments Record of Scotland (NMRS) on Scheduled Ancient Monuments and other archaeological sites present within the proposed development area. Information was also gathered on sites within 500m radius of the proposed development area that would provide some indication of its archaeological potential.
3.3 Ordnance Survey maps and other early maps held by the Map Library of the National Library of Scotland were examined, to provide information on sites of potential significance and to assess historic landscape changes within the study area.
3.4 An assessment was made of vertical and oblique aerial photograph collections held by RCAHMS, in order to identify previously unrecorded buried sites and sites with low relief not readily visible on the ground. Sorties dating from 1946 to 1996 were available for examination.
4. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BASELINE
4.1 General
4.1.1 The proposed development area is situated on the southern outskirts of the town of Nairn in the fork between the B9090 and the B9091. It lies immediately to the west of the River Nairn between the settlements of Lochdhu, Howford, Broadley, Firhall and Balblair.
4.1.2 The market town of Nairn is the county town for the wider county of Nairn (Nairnshire). Following the development of the harbour by Thomas Telford during the 1820s, fishing became an important part of the local economy and saw the ongoing development of the town around the area of the harbour. With the arrival of the railway it became a popular seaside resort during the second half of the 19th century, which led to the development of the large Victorian villas in the West End. Today, Nairn has a population of c. 11,000 people and remains a popular tourist destination.
4.1.3 Numbers in bold and parentheses are study specific site numbers. These sites are depicted on Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, and more detailed information for them is provided in Appendix 1.
MUDL/1814/0 5 CFA 4.2 Cartographic Sources
4.2.1 The earliest cartographic source consulted was Pont’s map of 1583-1601. This map depicts Nairn and Broadley (spelt Bratdley), but there was insufficient detail to allow the proposed development area to be accurately pinpointed.
4.2.2 Roy’s map (c. 1750) depicts Balblair (spelt Balvashair) and Broadley (spelt Bredley). Also depicted is a lochan annotated ‘Black Loch’, which would explain the origin of the name ‘Lochdhu’. The lochan appears to lie outwith the proposed development area on the western side of the B9091. The proposed development area was not clearly identifiable, but the area around Balblair and Broadley is depicted as being under rig and furrow cultivation.
4.2.3 The earliest map to depict the current spelling of the place names was Thomson’s map of 1832. This map depicts Balblair, Firhall and Broadley. A lochan annotated ‘Loch of the Clans’ is depicted to the south-west of Broadley and an unnamed lochan is depicted between Firhall and Broadley. The Loch of the Clans may be the same as the Black Loch depicted on Roy’s map and appears to lie outwith the proposed development area. It is possible that the smaller of the two lochans lies within the proposed development area, but the quality of the mapping does not allow this to be determined with any great degree of certainty.
4.2.4 The Ordnance Survey six-inch 1st Edition (1871) is the earliest map to depict the proposed development area in detail. This map depicts an area of improved farmland, with field boundaries, roads and shelterbelts. The farmland appears largely as it does on the current map, with the same field boundaries and road layout. Two additional cultural heritage sites were identified. These consisted of a farmstead annotated ‘Broadley’ (Site 3) and an unnamed structure (Site 4) situated on the crossroads to the west of Broadley. The current Ordnance Survey map depicts a single structure at Broadley within the location of the farmstead, but does not show the complex of buildings that appear on the 1871 map. The structure at the crossroads is not depicted on the current map.
4.3 Aerial Photography
4.3.1 Vertical aerial photographs from 1947-1976 were examined, but no additional features of archaeological potential were identified. Oblique aerial photographs from 1982-1996 were examined and revealed information about Sites 1 and 2 (see below). The study area is shown as agricultural land.
4.4 NMRS Sites
4.4.1 The NMRS contains two records (1 and 2) within the proposed development area (Fig. 1). These comprise of two areas of cropmarks, which were identified from aerial photographs.
4.4.2 Site 1 (NMRS No. NH85SE 90) consists of the cropmarks of two timber houses, possibly comprising an unenclosed settlement. Each house consists of
MUDL/1814/0 6 CFA a ring-ditch enclosing a pit circle. Also identified were a number of circular marks up to 30m in diameter and an arc of ditch.
4.4.3 Site 2 (NMRS No. NH85NE 46) (Fig. 2) consists of a range of cropmarks scattered across a field 350m ESE of Balblair House (NH85NE 8). These include a large oval enclosure measuring c. 55m by 40m internally. A circular feature within the enclosure is likely to have been a house, suggesting that this may have been a settlement. A number of indeterminate circular and sub- circular markings, some of which may be ring-ditches, have also been recorded immediately to the south and west of the possible settlement. An irregular curving linear cropmark runs for c. 50m north-east from the roadside in the north-west corner of the field and a circular feature identified as a penannular ring-ditch lies c. 40m to the north-west of the settlement.
4.5 Listed Buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments
4.5.1 There are no Listed Buildings or Scheduled Ancient Monuments within the proposed development area.
4.6 Cultural Heritage sites within 500m of the proposed development area
4.6.1 Seventeen cultural heritage sites (Fig. 1) were identified within a 500m radius of the proposed development that may provide an indication of the archaeological potential within the proposed development area. These consisted of two houses (5 and 8), a findsite consisting of a brooch (9), the site of a gallows (10), a road bridge (15), an archaeological evaluation (6) and eleven cropmark sites (7, 11-14 and 16-21). The cropmark sites consisted of barrows, enclosures, ring-ditches, a possible henge and hut circles, and, for the most part, are likely to be later prehistoric in date. Site 20 (Little Kildrummie barrows) is a Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM No. 11606) and is likely to be Bronze Age in date.
5. DISCUSSION
5.1 The NMRS records two sites (1 and 2) within the northern part of the proposed development area. Both these sites consist of cropmarks that have been identified from aerial photography and are likely to represent settlement sites of later prehistoric date. These cropmarks are well defined and it is possible that they have already suffered plough damage; it is known that the clearer the cropmark, the more likely it is to have suffered truncation (Dunwell & Ralston 2008). It is not unlikely that further buried remains not visible as cropmarks may also be present within the area.
5.2 There is also evidence of post-medieval settlement within the area. A settlement at Broadley is recorded as early as the late 16th century, and a farmstead (Site 3) bearing this name is depicted on the Ordnance Survey First Edition map (1871). A further structure (Site 4) located at the crossroads to the west of the farmstead may have been associated with this settlement. The current Ordnance Survey map depicts a single structure within the location of
MUDL/1814/0 7 CFA the farmstead and the structure at the crossroads is not shown. Both these features may survive as buried archaeological remains.
5.3 The sites identified within a 500m radius of the proposed development area also largely consist of cropmarks relating to later prehistoric settlement. These consist of barrows, unenclosed settlements, enclosures, ring-ditches, pits, a possible henge, and a number of linear or poorly defined cropmarks. This complex of sites stretches south-west from Nairn for a distance of c. 3km. The combination of low lying and fertile ground next to the River Nairn would have made the proposed development area ideal for prehistoric settlement, with the river providing good access to the sea for the exploitation of maritime resources. An evaluation carried out prior to the construction of a housing development at Firhall identified two fragments of a rotary quern, while an annular brooch found at Lochdhu provides further evidence of later prehistoric settlement within the study area. The majority of the remaining sites are comparatively modern in date, consisting of houses, a road bridge and the site of a gallows, but the barrows recorded at Little Kildrummie are Bronze Age in date, indicating earlier prehistoric activity within the general area.
6. CONCLUSION
6.1 The desk-based study covered the whole of the proposed development area and included an area of 500m around the proposed development site to provide a further indication of the archaeological potential of the proposed development area. Up-to-date information was obtained on the locations of cultural heritage sites with statutory protection and non-statutory designations within the proposed development area.
6.2 The desk-based assessment identified four cultural heritage sites (Site 1 – Site 4) within the proposed development area. Two of the sites (Site 1 and Site 2) are likely to be later prehistoric in date and consist of cropmarks distributed across the northern part of the proposed development area.
6.3 Two post-medieval structures (Site 3 and Site 4) were identified from cartographic sources. These consisted of a farmstead at Broadley and a structure situated to the west of the farmstead. Both may survive as buried archaeological remains.
6.4 Any mitigation measures to avoid, reduce and offset the likely effects of the proposed development would need to be agreed in advance with the Highland Council Archaeology Unit, and would be detailed in a Written Scheme of Investigation.
MUDL/1814/0 8 CFA 7. REFERENCES
7.1 Bibliographic
Highland Structure Plan: Written Statement (March 2001).
Nairnshire Local Plan (December 2000).
IfA 2001 Standard and guidance for archaeological desk-based assessment. Institute of Field Archaeologists.
IfA 2006 By-Laws: Code of Conduct. Institute of Field Archaeologists.
Dunwell, A and Ralston, I 2008 The Management of Cropmark Archaeology in the Lunan Valley, Angus. Historic Scotland Research Report.
7.2 Vertical Aerial Photographs
Sortie Frames Date Scale CPE/UK/0223 4089 1947 541/A/0577 3050-3053 1950 58/1116 0273 1953 OS67-095 250 1967 1:2500 OS76-093 003-007 1976
7.3 Historic Maps
Ordnance Survey 1871, Nairnshire, 6” to one mile, Sheet 1 Pont, T. 1583-1601, Moray and Nairn Roy, W. 1747-55, Military Survey of Scotland Thomson, J. 1832, Nairn and Elgin
MUDL/1814/0 9 CFA APPENDIX 1: GAZETTEER OF SITES AND MONUMENTS
No Name NMRS No. NGR ref. Status Description 1 Broadley NH85SE 90 NH 877 548 N/A The NMRS records that aerial Timber Buildings photography has revealed cropmarks Unenclosed of a possible unenclosed settlement c. Settlement 150m to the NW of Broadley farmsteading. Settlement traces include two timber houses, each consisting of a ring-ditch enclosing a pit circle, a number of circular and crescent marks up to 30m in diameter, and an arc of ditch. 2 Balblair NH85NE 46 NH 877 551 N/A The NMRS records that aerial Cropmarks photography has identified a series of Ring Ditch(s) cropmarks scattered across a field Roundhouse(s) 350m ESE of Balblair. A large oval (Possible) enclosure measuring c. 55m by 40m internally, has a parallel pair of palisades 4m apart, and 6m in from the external ditch. At least one circular mark within this enclosure is probably a house, suggesting that this is a settlement. Further cropmarks, some of which may be ring-ditches, are visible within the area around the enclosure. 3 Broadley N/A N/A A settlement is depicted at Broadley on Pont’s map of 1583-1601 and a farmstead is shown in this location on the First Edition Ordnance Survey map (1871). The current Ordnance Survey map depicts a single structure within this location, suggesting that much of the farmstead has now been demolished. 4 Broadley NA N/A A single structure is depicted on the First edition Ordnance Survey map (1871) at the crossroads to the west of Broadley. It is not deoicted on the current Ordnance Survey map. 5 Cawder Road, NH85NE 66 NH 8808 N/A The NMRS lists Firhall, but does not Firhall 5509 provide any details on it. The House Ordnance Survey First Edition map depicts a large house within this location annotated ‘Fir Hall’. 6 Firhall NH85NE 434 NH 8818 N/A The NMRS records that two Pit(s), Quern 5515 amorphous pits were identified during an archaeological evaluation undertaken in advance of a housing development at Firhall. One of the pits contained two fragments of a rotary quern. 7 Nairn Parish NH85NE 52 NH 875 555 N/A The NMRS records a complex of Barrow(s) huts, enclosures and barrows Enclosure(s) extending south-west from Nairn for Hut Circle(s) a distance of 3km. The general reference includes the sites within the proposed development area.
MUDL/1814/0 10 CFA No Name NMRS No. NGR ref. Status Description 8 Balblair NH85NE 8 NH 8728 N/A The NMRS records that Balblair is a House 5532 plain harled building of three storeys and has no outstanding architectural features. It dates to the early 17th century. 9 Lochdhu NH85NE 444 NH 870 550 N/A The NMRS records that a copper- Brooch (findsite) alloy annular brooch was discovered during ploughing. It was claimed as Treasure Trove. 10 Nairn NH85NE 21 NH 87 55 N/A The NMRS records that a gallows Gallowgate stood at the west end of the town near Lodgehill, but its exact location was not identified during field investigation. 11 Balblair NH85NE 436 NH 8715 N/A The NMRS does not currently 5518 contain any information on this site. 12 Lochdhu NH85SE 25 NH 868 548 N/A The NMRS records that a small Enclosure enclosure is visible as a crop-mark 250m SSW of Lochdhu. 13 Lochdhu Farm NH85SE 52 NH 867 544 N/A The NMRS records a cropmark site, Cropmarks but does not contain any additional information. 14 Howford NH85SE 20 NH 874 538 N/A The NMRS records that the crop- Ring Ditch mark of a ring-ditch measuring 6m in diameter has been recorded 100m NW of Howford. 15 Howford Bridge NH85SE 80 NH 8767 N/A The NMRS records the road bridge at Road Bridge 5383 Howford. 16 Howford Bridge NH85SE 88 NH 8781 N/A The NMRS records that aerial Enclosure 5375 photography has identified the north, south and east sides of a large enclosure. The enclosure measures 100m north to south 17 Howford Bridge NH85SE 56 NH 8782 N/A The NMRS records that aerial Mortuary Enclosure 5384 photography has identified a mortuary enclosure measuring 65m WNW-ESE by 8m within a ditch measuring circa 2m wide. 18 Howford Bridge NH85SE 89 NH 879 540 N/A The NMRS records that a penannular Henge (possible) ring-ditch with a diameter of c. 8m Ring Ditch has been noted on aerial photographs lying 300m to the NW of Howford Bridge. 19 Househill NH85NE 62 NH 885 554 N/A The NMRS records a series of Cropmarks cropmarks 150m WNW of Househill. The majority of these appear to be geological in nature, but there are some linear features and a possible ring-ditch, which may be archaeological in nature. 20 Little Kildrummie NH85SE 57 NH 870 536 SAM The NMRS records an alignment of Barrow(s) No. three barrows surviving as negative 11606 features 200m WSW of Little Kildrummie. This site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
MUDL/1814/0 11 CFA No Name NMRS No. NGR ref. Status Description 21 Lochdhu Farm NH85SE 61 NH 870 536 N/A The NMRS records a possible Unenclosed unenclosed settlement at Lochdhu Settlement farm, but does not provide any (possible) details.
MUDL/1814/0 12 CFA Key:
sites of cultural heritage interest proposed development site map detail
7 19
10 11 2
8,9 6 5 1 12 4
3 13
Fig. No: Revision: 1 A Title: Sites within study area
18 Project: Lochdu, Nairn 17 14
Scale: 1:1,000 @ A3
15 16 Client: 0 1km 20,21 Scotia Homes The copyright in this document (including its electronic form) shall remain vested in CFA Archaeology Ltd (CFA) but the Client shall have a licence to copy and use the document for the purpose for which it was provided. CFA shall not be liable for the use by any person of this Reproduced with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, © Crown copyright. Drawn by: Report No: document for any purpose other than that for which the same was provided by CFA. This document shall not be reproduced in whole or in part or relied upon by third parties for any use whatsoever without the express written authority of CFA. CFA Archaeology Ltd, Old Engine House, Eskmills Park, Musselburgh EH21 7PQ AL100034785 GC 1814 The copyright in this document (including its electronic form) shall remain vested in CFA Archaeology Ltd (CFA) but the Client shall have a licence to copy and use the document for the purpose for which it was provided. CFA shall not be liable for the use by any person of this document for any purpose other than that for which the same was provided by CFA. This document shall not be reproduced in whole or in part or relied upon by third parties for any use whatsoever without the express written authority of CFA.
Fig. No: Revision: Client: Key: 2 Scotia Homes Title: Aerial photograph of Site 2
Project:
Scale: Lochdu, Nairn Drawn by: Page No: Report No: GC 1814