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Littleferry Plot A

Watching Brief

July 2006

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Littleferry Plot A, Sutherland: Archaeological Watching Brief 2006

Littleferry Plot A Sutherland

Watching Brief July 2006

Report No. HAS061102

Site Code HAS/ LFY06 Client Mr & Mrs D. Steadman

Planning Ref 06/00165/REMSU

Date 28 November 2006

Authors Mary Peteranna and John Wood

Summary

An archaeological watching brief was carried out to record the nature and extent of any archaeology revealed during excavations for a new house at Littleferry, Sutherland. No features or artefacts of archaeological significance were found.

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Littleferry Plot A, Sutherland: Archaeological Watching Brief 2006

Contents

Summary...... 2 Introduction ...... 3 Aims and objectives...... 3 Location...... 4 Archaeology and policy background ...... 5 Programme ...... 7 Results ...... 7 Recommendations ...... 10 Operational Matters ...... 10 Index of Photographs...... 11 Index of Contexts...... 13

Figures

Figure 1 Site Location ...... 4 Figure 2 Littleferry: the site in context ...... 5 Figure 3 Site plan and camera locations ...... 6 Figure 4 View NW from SE corner of excavation, showing BT cable exposed...... 8 Figure 5 Feature [2] ...... 8 Figure 6 Flints from surface scatter [2] ...... 9 Figure 7 Feature [3] uncovered...... 9 Figure 8 First Edition OS 6" Map 1879...... 10

Introduction

An archaeological watching brief was carried out on 17 July 2006 by Highland Archaeological Services, Ltd on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Doug Steadman, for the development of their house site, Plot A in Littleferry. The purpose of the work was to identify and record the nature and extent of any archaeological features revealed or affected by the proposed development.

Aims and objectives

1. To minimise any possible delay or cost to the development by anticipating archaeological requirements as far as possible, timetabling and integrating archaeological recording work with the project, and dealing with any issues arising quickly and efficiently.

2. To determine as far as possible the character, extent, condition, date and significance of any archaeologically significant remains; and to preserve these where possible and record where necessary in line with the Highland Council’s Structure Plan, NPPG 5 and PAN 42.

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Littleferry Plot A, Sutherland: Archaeological Watching Brief 2006

Location

The site is centred approximately at Ordnance Survey National Grid Reference NH 805 958. It is near in Sutherland, which is within the local authority area of the Highland Council, advised on archaeological matters by its Archaeology Unit staff based within the Council’s Planning and Development Service (HCAU).

Figure 1 Site Location Mapping reproduced by permission of the Ordnance Survey: Licence 100043217

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Littleferry Plot A, Sutherland: Archaeological Watching Brief 2006

Figure 2 Littleferry: the site in context Planning application area in pink; excavated area as green outline. Background Mapping reproduced by permission of the Ordnance Survey: Licence 100043217

Archaeology and policy background

Littleferry is a village three miles south of Golspie, Sutherland. It is situated on a small peninsula, with the Loch Fleet Nature Reserve along the north to southwest boundaries and the yellow sand beaches of the Dornoch Firth along the northeast to south boundaries. Plot A is located approximately 1/8th of a mile from the inlet entrance to Loch Fleet, and the surrounding landscape is mostly low-lying, turf-covered sand dunes and forest to the northwest.

Within Littleferry there is a small cluster of mostly 19th century buildings along the shore where the old ferry pier is located. Previous archaeological finds in the area surrounding the village include fragments of Pictish stone carvings and stone artefacts and flint debitage. Human burials have also been found at Littleferry in the 1930s and again in 2003 (HSMR NH89NW0070-72). Some of these may relate to a a skirmish between Jacobite and government troops in 1746. (Highland SMR NH89NW0070-72). Also, in 2003, a shell midden was located in the garden of a Littleferry home (Highland SMR NH89NW0069).

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Littleferry Plot A, Sutherland: Archaeological Watching Brief 2006

No recorded sites or monuments were directly affected by this development, but Littleferry lies on the former main road north to Caithness, at the northern crossing point of Loch Fleet. Although the ferry has been superseded by the Mound to the west, built by Thomas Telford in 1814-16, which carries the modern road across, it is likely that there has been a river crossing point in this locality from the earliest times. Finds from the general area have included Neolithic material and an important collection of Pictish carved stones. Near the present site the footings have been noted of a group of buildings arranged around a courtyard (HSMR NH89NW0068).

Figure 3 Site plan and camera locations

The watching brief was requested to establish whether there was evidence of former buildings, the 1746 skirmish, or finds or features relating to the former main N – S route.

RAF 1945-1955 aerial photographs were checked at the Highland Council’s offices in Inverness, but no features appeared to be affected. The Old Statistical Account of 1791-99 for Scotland1 mentions the skirmish of 1746 but otherwise neither the Statistical Accounts nor the First Edition Ordnance Survey 1:10560 map (see Fig 2 below) suggest any archaeological features in the site area.

1 http://stat-acc-scot.edina.ac.uk/link/1791-99/Sutherland/Golspie/

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Littleferry Plot A, Sutherland: Archaeological Watching Brief 2006

The planning and policy framework in this case included the Highland Council’s Structure Plan2, and the Scottish Executive’s National Planning Policy Guidance Notes 5 (NPPG5)3 and 18 (NPPG18)4, and Planning Advice Note 42 (PAN42)5 (SOEND 1994). The fundamental principles underpinning the above policies are set out in Passed to the Future: Historic Scotland’s Policy for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment (2002)6 and the Burra Charter (Australia ICOMOS 1999).7

Programme

Working in co-ordination with the contractor, a watching brief was carried out on all areas of ground- works.

The foundations for the proposed house and garage were excavated to the natural subsoil under close archaeological supervision by mechanical digger with a 6-foot wide, straight-edged bucket. The work was completed over one day, and the weather was calm and partly cloudy.

The site was excavated from south to north and included an additional area on the west side for the proposed garage. Overall, the grass-covered topsoil of dark earth was shallow throughout the site. The subsoil was clean sand throughout, although in many places it was covered with layers of natural rounded cobbles.

Results

Three contexts of potential archaeological interest were identified within the excavated site. None of these proved to be significant, but the worked flints in scatter [2] are of interest. These items will be submitted to the Crown under Scottish Treasure Trove arrangements.

Across the middle of the southern half of the site, Feature [1] was uncovered and identified as the trench for an operational BT cable.

2 http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourenvironment/planning/developmentplans/structureplan/thehighlandstructureplan.htm

3 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/1998/10/nppg5

4 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/1999/04/nppg18

5 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/1994/01/17081/21711

6 www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/pasttofuture.pdf

7 http://www.icomos.org/australia/burra.html

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Littleferry Plot A, Sutherland: Archaeological Watching Brief 2006

Figure 4 View NW from SE corner of excavation, showing BT cable exposed.

A large part of the eastern half of the site had been disturbed previously. Within this area, drainpipe fragments, glass sherds, a few ceramic sherds and numerous flint and chert pieces were recovered. This area of re-deposition, Context [2], is of interest for the large amount of flint/chert fragments and flakes. There are numerous pieces that appear to have surfaces worked for the production of tools. However, the context was found to be a scatter (see Fig. 1) transported from another location and re-deposited within the site, most likely as a result of forestry works or the construction of the main road.

Figure 5 Feature [2]

Finally, Feature [3] was located in the corner of the lot designated for the garage. Initially it appeared as a dark oval area in the sand with a high organic content. As it was further uncovered it became less well defined and inclusions of yellow sandy areas were noted. A section was cut and found to contain two

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Littleferry Plot A, Sutherland: Archaeological Watching Brief 2006 square iron nails found in the section in addition to two large, round stones. The profile revealed no consistent deposit - the dark soil was mixed throughout with yellow sand. No further artefacts were identified in association with Feature 3 and it is interpreted as a tree hole.

No other archaeological finds or features were identified.

Figure 6 Flints from surface scatter [2] These were mixed with 19th and 20th century finds and had clearly been re-deposited from elsewhere.

Figure 7 Feature [3] uncovered

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Littleferry Plot A, Sutherland: Archaeological Watching Brief 2006

Figure 8 First Edition OS 6" Map 1879

Recommendations

1. Further analysis would be useful of the flint / chert flakes to verify the worked surfaces on the pieces and ascertain a likely date.

2. There are no areas that warrant preservation in situ.

3. No further archaeological work is proposed within the current site area and we have recommended that archaeological clearance should be given to the site.

Operational Matters

No human remains were encountered. All work was carried out to the standards usually required by Historic Scotland, the Highland Council and the Institute of Field Archaeologists. The Company’s Risk Assessment and Health and Safety Procedures were followed throughout.

The weather was sunny and dry with very little wind.

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Littleferry Plot A, Sutherland: Archaeological Watching Brief 2006

Index of Photographs

Camera Taken Photo No. Location Context Notes by Date 1 CP1 - View south, site prior to excavation MKP 17/07/2006 Portion of Context 2, area with largest 2 CP2 - portion of flint scatter MKP 17/07/2006 3 CP3 Feature [3] Feature 3, view east MKP 17/07/2006 4 CP3 Feature [3] Feature 3, view east MKP 17/07/2006 5 CP3 Feature [3] Feature 3, after section, view east MKP 17/07/2006 6 CP3 Feature [3] Feature 3, section, view east MKP 17/07/2006 7 CP3 Feature [3] Feature 3, section, view east MKP 17/07/2006 8 CP3 Feature [3] Profile of Feature 3 section MKP 17/07/2006 View south-southwest, site after 9 CP1 - excavation MKP 17/07/2006 10 CP1 - View south, site after excavation MKP 17/07/2006 View southwest, area of Feature 1, BT 11 CP4 - cable MKP 17/07/2006 Topsoil (stray 1A - find) Ceramic candlestick fragments MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil (stray Ceramics : Decorated stoneware frags 2A - find) - Front MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil (stray Ceramics : Decorated stoneware frags 3A - find) - Back MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil (stray Ceramics : Decorated stoneware frag - 4A - find) Front MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil (stray Ceramic plate frags : Decorated 5A - find) stoneware - Front MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil (stray Ceramic plate frags : Decorated 6A - find) stoneware - Back MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil (stray Ceramics : earthenware with cream 7A - find) glaze - Front MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil (stray Ceramics : earthenware with cream 8A - find) glaze - Back MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil (stray Ceramics : earthenware rim frag - 9A - find) Front MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil (stray Ceramics : earthenware rim frag - 10A - find) Back MKP 09/10/2006

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Littleferry Plot A, Sutherland: Archaeological Watching Brief 2006

Camera Photo No. Location Context Notes Taken by Date Topsoil (stray 11A - find) Iron nail with square head MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil Flint: Group of possible unfinished 12 - [2] tools MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil 13 - [2] Flint: Possible unfinished stone tool MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil 14 - [2] Flint: Possible unfinished stone tool MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil 15 - [2] Flint: Possible unfinished stone tool MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil 16 - [2] Flint: Possible unfinished stone tool MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil 17 - [2] Flint: Possible unfinished stone tool MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil 18 - [2] Flint: Possible unfinished stone tool MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil 19 - [2] Flint: Possible unfinished stone tool MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil 20 - [2] Flint: Possible unfinished stone tool MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil 21 - [2] Flint: Possible unfinished stone tool MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil Flint: Group of possible 22 - [2] debitage/flakes from knapping MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil 23 - [2] Large Flint nodule/core MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil 24 - [2] Large Flint nodule/core MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil 25 - [2] Large Flint nodule/core MKP 09/10/2006 Topsoil Sample of flint nodules (@ 200 total 26 - [2] collected) MKP 09/10/2006 CP5 IMGP6005 (approx) - View WNW JW 17/07/2006 CP3 IMGP6006 (approx) - Contractors' Test pit, view SSE JW 17/07/2006 IMGP6007 - Contractors' Test pit, close-up view JW 17/07/2006 CP3 IMGP6008 (approx) - View E JW 17/07/2006 CP3 IMGP6009 (approx) - View SE JW 17/07/2006 CP11 IMGP6010 (approx) - View SSE JW 17/07/2006 CP11 IMGP6011 (approx) - View S JW 17/07/2006 CP11 IMGP6012 (approx) - View WSW JW 17/07/2006 IMGP6013 CP9 - View N JW 17/07/2006 IMGP6014 CP9 - View W JW 17/07/2006

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Littleferry Plot A, Sutherland: Archaeological Watching Brief 2006

Camera Photo No. Location Context Notes Taken by Date IMGP6015 CP8 - View E JW 17/07/2006 IMGP6016 CP8 - View N JW 17/07/2006 CP5 IMGP6017 (approx) - Root disturbance JW 17/07/2006 CP5 IMGP6018 (approx) - Root disturbance JW 17/07/2006 CP5 IMGP6019 (approx) - Root disturbance JW 17/07/2006 CP5 IMGP6020 (approx) Feature [3] Feature [3] starting to appear JW 17/07/2006 CP5 IMGP6021 (approx) Feature [3] Feature [3] starting to appear JW 17/07/2006 IMGP6022 CP7 - View E JW 17/07/2006 IMGP6023 CP6 - View WSW JW 17/07/2006 IMGP6024 CP6 - View WSW JW 17/07/2006 Feature cleaned, before section taken. IMGP6025 CP5 Feature [3] View W JW 17/07/2006

Index of Contexts

0 Topsoil – disturbed, brown and moist, though crumbly in texture, with some medium stones (100mm-200mm) 1 Cable trench – redeposited natural gravel fill. 2 Scatter of artefacts in eastern area of trench.

3 Pit with ill-defined edges containing mixed dark soil and sand / gravel. Probable tree-hole.

Highland Archaeology Services Ltd 28 November 2006

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