Highland Heritage Archaeological Consultancy
Professional Archaeological & Heritage Advice Toad Hall Studios Desk-based Assessment & Evaluation Bhlaraidh House Field Survey & Watching Briefs Glenmoriston Database & GIS design Inverness-shire IV63 7YH
Archaeological Watching Brief
on ground works during Installation of Foul & Surface Water Drainage Systems
at Raasay House, Isle of Raasay
Planning Application SL-04-004 Aspire Project UID HH 2008/10 July 2008
for ROK Prime Contracting Ltd. Hazel House, Stoneyfield Business Park Inverness
Highland Heritage is run by Dr Harry Robinson BA MA PhD MIFA FSA Scot. Tel: 01320 351272 email [email protected] Archaeological Watching Brief on ground works during Installation of Foul & Surface Water Drainage Systems at Raasay House, Isle of Raasay Planning Application SL-04-004
Contents
Summary 1
Background
Location, setting and extent of Development Site
Map 1: location map, OS 1:10,000 digital map 2 Map 2: OS 1:2,500 map 1903 Map 3 : Location, setting and extent of Raasay House and Gardens 3 Figure 4 : Location of Development Site in Raasay House & Gardens 4
Desk-based Assessment 5
Summary of the results of the desk-based research 6
Previous archaeological work 8
The Watching Brief 10
Discussion & Recommendations 11
Figure 7: Trench Plan 12
Photographs 1-14
Appendix I Digital Photograph Register Appendix II Scale Plans (ms with HCSMR report) Appendix III Gazetteer & Bibliography Appendix IV Copy of Archaeological Evaluation Brief Raasay House watching brief Highland Heritage
Report on Archaeological Watching Brief on ground works during Installation of Foul & Surface Water Drainage Systems at Raasay House, Isle of Raasay Planning Application SL-04-004, Highland Council Archaeology Unit brief 23/06/2008
Summary
During an archaeological watching brief (including documentary research and walk-over survey) conducted during the Installation of Foul & Surface Water Drainage Systems at Raasay House between 26th June- 2nd July 2008, no archaeological features or artefacts were located. It is considered probable that there are no important archaeological or historical features in the development area and I conclude that no further archaeological work on in this part of the site is required.
Background
Planning consent was granted to ROK Prime Contracting of Inverness (Mr Morton Gillespie, Design and Build manager) who are responsible for the work. The development area is uncultivated grass covered gently sloping ground (20 m - 16 m OD N-S) surrounded by trees to the west of Raasay House (NGR NG 5449 3613, maps 1 & 2 page 2) owned by Raasay House Community Company. The Highland Council Archaeology Unit (HCAU) considered the area to have reasonable potential for the survival of features of historic and archaeological importance. Therefore an archaeological watching brief was required prior to development to identify and avoid such features wherever possible or (if not practicable) to record them before they were damaged or destroyed.
An Archaeological Watching Brief (appendix IV) was issued by the HCAU to ROK Prime Contracting setting out the terms of reference, objectives, method, monitoring and reporting arrangements and Dr H. Robinson of Highland Heritage Archaeological Consultancy was contracted to fulfill the archaeological requirements. Scale plans (Appendix II - produced by A.F. Cruden Associates, Inverness) were provided showing the location of the work and features of the site.
Page 1
Raasay House watching brief Highland Heritage
Map 3 : Location, setting and extent of Raasay House and Gardens
Raasay Estate lies at the south-west end of the Island of Raasay. Raasay House (NG 546 366) stands above two natural bays, which together comprise Churchton Bay and faces south with spectacular views towards Sconser on Skye and the Cuillin Hills beyond. It overlooks the Narrows of Raasay where 1 km separates the islands of Skye and Raasay. It is sheltered to its north by Cnoc an Ratha (116 m OD) and to its east by Borodale (90 m OD) the valley between them being cut by Allt Nigheidh which issues from Loch a' Mhuilinn.
Page 3 figure 4 : location of watching brief work in Raasay House and gardens
page 4 Raasay House watching brief Highland Heritage
Location, setting and extent of the development site
The development area and its features were identified by a scale plans (Figure 4) provided by ROK Prime Contracting as flat uncultivated grass covered ground surrounded by trees. Raasay House is an 18th-19th century country house with adjoining walled garden and associated formal pleasure grounds. It is set within an extensive 18th century designed landscape, the character of which rests on the contrast of its relative grandeur compared to the smaller scale picturesque location and fishing cottages around Churchton Bay. The designed landscape reached 225 ha (562.5 acres) at its greatest extent (OS 1877). The general layout survives, including 19th century walks. Woodland, Parkland and Lawns are a key feature of the garden design. Woods to the north, east and west provide shelter and a backdrop for the house in views from the south. Areas of woodland have been extended since 1877, principally the Oskaig Plantation north of the road and kitchen garden, and Battery Wood (1877, OS 6"). The 18th century East and West Plantations flanking the house are important design features framing the view and the surviving planting indicates that a regular pattern was adopted. On the south front a lawn, sheltered by the East and West Plantations, descends to three grass terraces ending in a fence. This divides the lawns from the parkland, which extends southwards, to meet the seashore beyond. The parkland also sweeps round to the NW, forming the foreground in views to and from the house. Also NW of the house a tennis court was laid out sometime between the 1877 and 1904 OS maps.
Desk-based Assessment
A check of the relevant archaeological / historical records, maps and aerial photographs was undertaken, including: y The Highland Council Sites and Monuments Record (HSMR) in Inverness y The National Monuments Record for Scotland (NMRS) y Historic Scotland: List of Scheduled Monuments; Listed Buildings; y Highland Council Archives and early cartographic collection in Inverness w Aerial photographic coverage held by RCAHMS and the HCSMR w Maps, including Ordnance Survey coverage w Bibliographic references and early parish accounts.
The results are summarised on page 7 and full details given in a gazetteer (Appendix III). I wish to thank the staff of these organizations for their assistance.
Page 5 Raasay House watching brief Highland Heritage
There are no known features on this site but the HCAU considers this to be an area with potential for the survival of unrecorded buried remains as there are 5 scheduled monuments and 6 listed buildings close by and recent excavations to the west of the application site revealed a number of prehistoric features. This building could therefore impact on valuable features of archaeological importance the nature and extent of which need to be established
Summary of the results of the desktop research
This identified, in the close vicinity of the development area, several Statutory protected sites under the terms of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and buildings protected under the Town and Country Planning Act 1997 (Historic Scotland 1998):
Scheduled Ancient Monuments: Churchtown Bay - Incised Chi-Rho Cross; Raasay House - Pictish Symbol Stone; - Cross base Uamh nan Ramh - Souterrain Dun Borodale - Broch;
Listed Buildings: Category A - Raasay House Category B - Raasay House Mains & Top Barn Category B - St. Maol-luag's Chapel & Burial Ground Category C (S) - Gardener's Cottage
Aerial Photographs
1946 - B125, CPE/SCOT/UK 175, 1059-61
1947 - B196, CPE/SCOT/UK 274, 4380-82 258, 4256 1989 - C287, 614 89, 130-32
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Raasay House watching brief Highland Heritage
Previous archaeological work
1 - Highland Heritage 2008
An archaeological evaluation was conducted by Highland Heritage close to this new work prior to digging foundations for an Activity Resource Building between 21st-23rd January 2008. The extent of trial excavation was 204 m2 (13.6% of the development of 1,500 m2) shown as the area north of the line A-B on figure 6. No archaeological features or artefacts were located and, as it was considered probable that there were no important archaeological or historical features in that area, no further archaeological work was recommended. No work was done in the area of the proposed water drainage system shown on figure 6 (annotated for this report) as this area was inaccessible (under banks of excavated earth- photos x x) and outside the scope of that brief (described as the tennis court area).
2 - CFA 1997 - Churchton Bay, Geophysical Survey and trial trenching - file ref. 256
CFA dug six trenches in areas to the S of Raasay House and to the NW of an identified tennis court (GAZ 6a; CFA 1997, 29 site 6) three spade-pits measuring 0.5 m x 0.5 m were dug around a possible midden mound that was inaccessible to the mechanical excavator (presumably because of trees) (CFA 1997, 8 section 2.10.4, plans 1 & 2, test-pits 1-3).
The tennis court is described as a modern landscaping feature at NG 5467 3663 consisting of a terraced level platform measuring c.30 m by 23 m, to the S it stands to a max height of 1.4 m. It was later used as a camping ground and football pitch. No grid references are given for the three test pits but CFA plan 1 (figure 5) shows them to lie to the NW of the development area. A “Considerable depth of organic-rich soil was identified, but no features of archaeo- logical significance. It is likely that the low mound represents an old area of dumped garden debris or compost” (CFA 1997, 11 section 3.3.8).
3 - Other reports
File ref Date
1610 2006 ACFA - Survey of An Lon Ban and coast to Oskaig 1606 2006 ACFA - Survey of St Moluag’s Chapel and Pictish Stones of 990 2002 ACFA - Geology and Soils survey Details of Area 22 - Raasay House and Area 21 - Inverarish Woods in Appendix V 1677 2007 CFA - Churchtown Bay Intertidal Assessment & Palaeoenvironment Evaluation 1154 2003 Birch, S - Raasay Ferry Terminal DBA & Underwater Assessment 779 1993 Wildgoose, M - Inverarish Mature Forest Survey
Page 8 Raasay House watching brief Highland Heritage
Figure 5 CFA plan 1997
Figure 6 Highland Heritage site plan 2008
The Watching Brief
Page 9 Raasay House watching brief Highland Heritage
While the Desk-based Assessment did not identify any known prehistoric sites within the development area, there are several recorded nearby and it was believed that archaeological remains could lie in the area. The HCAU Development Guidance (full details on webpage www.highland.gov/ yourenvironment/conservation/archaeology/developmentguidance) set out in detail who was responsible for what, as well as the terms of reference, objectives, method, monitoring and reporting arrangements. Archaeological monitoring was conducted during all site ground works for this application (including topsoil stripping for services, any access road or man holes).
This archaeological Watching Brief aimed to: y identify the location, nature and extent of any features or objects of archaeological importance at the earliest possible stage to minimise the risk of finds or features of interest being discovered and damaged during site works. Arrangements will be made to avoid such features wherever possible or, if this is not practicable, they will be recorded before they are damaged or destroyed. All recovered artefacts and ecofacts would be subject to a programme of post-excavation analysis. y propose arrangements for the safeguarding where possible, and recording where necessary of any archaeological features or finds identified. These will be agreed with the HCAU. Such arrangements might include preservation in-situ, redesign to avoid key areas; excavation and recording of features; and/or an archaeological watching brief on site clearance and excavations for construction purposes. y ensure that the needs for archaeological conservation and recording are met without causing any unnecessary delay or disturbance to the development project.
All features were recorded, photographed and sketched, and marked on a plan, at a relevant scale, keyed by means of Grid References to the Ordnance Survey mapping
Site visit
A previous site evaluation had been conducted on 22nd January 2008 when a walk-over survey revealed the site to be overgrown with bushes, including rhododendrons, among mature trees, and showed no traces of earthworks or possible buried archaeological features. In the landscaped area (tennis court) the contractors had erected a compound and cabins (photos 1 - 3) which, together with ancillary water pipes, rendered any proper evaluation of the southern part of the site (below line A-B on the site plan figures 6 & 7) impractical. An inspection of the spoil heaps from this clearance and construction work found only modern items such as china and broken bottles.
Page 10 Raasay House watching brief Highland Heritage
The watching brief was conducted over the three days of 26th-27th June & 2nd July 2008. The trenches could not all be dug together as open trenches would be a health and safety problem on such a busy site, so the work of erecting safety fences, digging, laying pipes and back filling progressed in convenient sections.
Day 1 - the western section mh1-mh4 and mh2-mh7 - figure 7, photographs 1-6
A very dark day (often poor for photography) with patches of rain. The banks of earth to the west of the contractors compound (photo 1) were removed to level ground (not the old surface) and a narrow (0.70 m) trench was dug under supervision to the level of clean yellow sand (0.45 m) encountered during the recent evaluation of the site of the new adjacent activity centre (figure 6). Tree roots were an anticipated problem, and only modern items were found including numerous bottles.
Day 2 - the eastern section mh5-E1 - figure 7, photographs 7 & 8
A brighter day with patches of rain. This section followed the rout of existing pipes and strictly did not need archaeological supervision (and no results were noted) but it was worth observing the digging around the Listed Building awaiting access to the new section E1-E2. However progress became slow as the ground around the old pipes had to be hand dug - and it was arranged to suspend supervision until the point E1 was reached.
Day 3 - the eastern section E1-E2 - figure 7, photographs 11-14
A bright clear day. Digging began at point E1 and worked north to E2. A narrow (0.60 m) trench was dug under supervision to the level of clean yellow sand (0.40 m) encountered elsewhere on the site. Only a few modern items were found, including china sherds and two bottles. This area had been disturbed several times, including recent leveling and infilling with modern building rubbish when the compound was erected, but the subsoil showed no signs of being effected. An electricity cable was encountered and left undisturbed near the north end (photo 14). It was noted that the water chamber had been installed since my first visit (photo 4), and it will be covered by an earth mound.
Discussion & Recommendations
It is my opinion that the lack of archaeological evidence in this area shows that if it was exploited in prehistoric or mediaeval periods then it was for arable or pastoral farming activities which either left no traces or were destroyed in modern times - possibly when the site was leveled to create a terraced area including a tennis court. On the basis of the results of this watching brief it is considered probable that there are no important archaeological or historical features in the development area and I conclude that no further archaeological work on this site is required.
Page 11 figure 7 : Trench Plan
Appendix I Photograph Register (digital files on HCHER CD) digital photo report description digital photo report description photo photo
Raasay 012 section mh1-mh2: earth bank at mh1 Raasay 2 023 7 section mh5-mh6 Raasay 013 section mh1-mh2: earth bank from NW Raasay 2 024 section mh5-mh6 Raasay 014 section mh1-mh2: earth bank from SW Raasay 2 025 section mh5-mh6 Raasay 015 section mh1-mh2: earth bank from NW Raasay 2 026 section mh6-E1 Raasay 016 section mh1-mh2: earth bank from NW Raasay 2 027 section mh6-E1 Raasay 017 section mh2-mh7: south of compound, earth bank Raasay 2 028 section mh6-E1 Raasay 018 1 section mh1-mh2: contractors compound & earth bank Raasay 2 029 8 section mh6-E1 Raasay 019 2 section mh2-mh7: south of compound, earth bank removed Raasay 2 030 section mh6-E1 Raasay 020 section mh2-mh7: south of compound, earth bank removed Raasay 2 031 section mh6-E1 Raasay 021 section mh2-mh7: south of compound Raasay 2 032 section mh6-E1 Raasay 022 north of compound Raasay 2 033 section mh6-E1 Raasay 2 034 section mh6-E1 Raasay 2 001 section mh5-mh6 before digging Raasay 2 035 5 section mh1-mh2: trench completed Raasay 2 002 section mh5-mh6 digging Raasay 2 036 6 section mh1-mh2 Raasay 2 003 section mh5-mh6 digging Raasay 2 004 section mh5-mh6 existing pipes Raasay 3 001 9 section E1-E2 south end before digging Raasay 2 005 section mh5-mh6 digging Raasay 3 002 11 section E1-E2 central area before digging Raasay 2 008 water chamber installed Raasay 3 003 section E1-E2 central area before digging Raasay 2 009 water chamber installed Raasay 3 004 13 section E1-E2 north end before digging Raasay 2 010 4 water chamber installed, section mh3-mh4 completed Raasay 3 005 section E1-E2 south end first cut Raasay 2 011 3 section mh1-mh2: earth bank removed Raasay 3 006 10 section E1-E2 south end dug to clean subsoil Raasay 2 012 section mh1-mh2: earth bank removed Raasay 3 008 section E1-E2 south end dug to clean subsoil Raasay 2 013 section mh1-mh2: completed Raasay 3 009 12 section E1-E2 central dug to clean subsoil Raasay 2 014 section mh1-mh2: completed looking N Raasay 3 010 section E1-E2 central showing recent rubble fill Raasay 2 015 section mh1-mh2: completed looking S Raasay 3 011 section E1-E2 central showing recent rubble fill Raasay 2 016 E1 from NW showing previous evaluation area Raasay 3 012 section E1-E2 north end after digging, buried cable Raasay 2 017 E1 from N Raasay 3 014 section E1-E2 central dug to clean subsoil Raasay 2 018 E1 from NW Raasay 3 015 section E1-E2 central dug to clean subsoil Raasay 2 019 E1 from NW Raasay 3 016 14 section E1-E2 north end after digging, buried cable Raasay 2 020 E1 from W showing previous evaluation area Raasay 3 017 section E1-E2 north end after digging Raasay 2 021 E1 from NE Raasay 3 018 section E1-E2 north end after digging Raasay 2 022 E1 from E before digging Raasay 3 019 section E1-E2 north end after digging Appendix II Appendix II Appendix III Gazetteer, Raasay House environs
1 - Raasay House - Country House HCSMR no. NG54NW0017 - NMRS no. NG53NW 30.00 - NGR NG 5475 3659 Listed Building (Group) Category: A - HB Number 13932 Item Number: 24 - Date of Listing 05-OCT-1971 Upgraded to Category A 14 August 2001, Group with Items:Gardner's Cottage.
Raasay House c.1720 and later Mid 18th century core, earlier 19th century 7 bay frontage with outer and rear wings of later 19th century date, including additions and alterations, Alexander Ross, 1876/77. Raasay freestone ashlar, polished ashlar dressings. 2 storeys. Centre 7 bays have outer and centre bays advanced with (later) gables. All windows architraved, corniced and dropped at ground floor; tripartite to centre, 1st floor (now partially blocked with modern square bay window). Later projecting square porch with round headed side entrances, paired engaged columns, stone balustrade with cast-iron railings. Outer alter gabled bays (Nos 1 and 9) with 2 storey canted bay windows; 12-pane glazing survives in older portion, 1st floor; 2 and 4-pane sashes elsewhere. Further gabled 2 storey, 2 bay wing dated 1877 set back to east. Harled and gabled irregular rear; corniced end and ridge stacks; slate roof (NSA 1845, 225; Inverness Courier 1876; Roberts 1980). Interior; much deteriorated; some good panelled doors and doorpieces still in situ; some fireplaces (marble in entrance hall), overmantels, pelmets and enriched plaster ceilings. Large walled garden to rear. Small landing jetty close to house flanked by mound encircled with low crenellated wall and spearhead cast-iron railings. Walls flanked by two large stone recumbent mermaid figures.
Mansion house extended in phases, but originally a rustic laird's house, entered as was then common on its non-seaward side. This had to be reconstructed soon after 1746, when redcoats plundered the island in search of Malcolm, the elusive 10th Chief who, unlike his Skye kinsmen, supported the Jacobite cause and sheltered BPC. In about 1761 his son John remodelled the house with a new south-facing five-bay front, probably with portico and pediment, and lower flanking pavilions (the core of the earlier building, with later stair tower, remains evident to the rear). It was in this 'neat modern fabrick' - not 'magnificently furnished', but with 11 'fine' rooms and silver utensils - that Johnson and Boswell enjoyed such vivacious hospitality in 1773, as guests of John Macleod - surely the highlight of their Hebridean tour. Within few decades gentrification was complete, with an imposing seven-bay ashlar facade in the 'modern' style built between 1796 and 1805 for James Macleod. The Adam-style vestibule retains its marble chimneypiece and niches from this period. The now dwarfed pavilions were soon replaced for George Rainy with more appropriate flanking bays, these and other alterations by Charles Wilson, 1848-51. Further additions included a first floor billiard room in the extended east wing, 1865. In 1877, additional service quarters were added to the north east by Alexander Ross for E. H. Wood, and the front probably acquired its pinnacled Jacobean style gables. Full-height canted bays were added to the wings and the ground floor re-fenestrated, c.1885. Inside, decoration of the main rooms is now mostly late 19th century, although happily the stairs and some doors contemporary with the post-1746 restoration survived hotel use from 1937-1960, and the notorious saga of decay and vandalism under the elusive Dr Green, owner from 1961. In 1979 the house reverted to public ownership and has since been resuscitated as an outdoor adventure centre. The Park. '... it has more about it of the residence of an English country gentleman of small fortune, than any other I have seen since leaving Aberdeen', wrote James Bailey in 1787, and early 19th century views of Raasay House depict the very embodiment of Regency taste in this unlikely Hebridean setting. Eighteenth century plantations frame the view to east and Gazetteer 1 Appendix III Gazetteer, Raasay House environs west, and something of the garden's 19th century appearance is suggested by grassy terraces sweeping southwestwards towards the park, with a pair of coppices planted as ornamental roundels. To the south east, part of a Victorian woodland garden survives, its limewalk leading to a ferny dell with a tiered iron fountain. Other incidentals were incorporated into picturesque walks, and there was much later 19th century planting. On a knoll above the old landing site on Churchton Bay, the Battery, c.1809, an eyecatcher of defensive intent, battlemented and surmounted by one (originally six) cannon (the 12th chief commanded a battalion of volunteers to combat a possible Napoleonic invasion). Below sit two colossal mermaid busts, the freakish creations of an Italian sculptor who misjudged their size (they were intended for the porch) and subsequently defended himself successfully in a courtcase, which brought the Macleods a step closer to bankruptcy. ['... The general air of festivity, which predominated in this place, so far remote from all those regions which the mind has been used to contemplate as the mansions of pleasure, struck the imagination with a delightful surprise ... more gentleness of manners, or a more pleasing appearance of domestick society, is not found in the most polished countries ... Such a feat of hospitality, amidst the winds and waters, fills the imagination with a delightful contrariety of images. Without is the rough ocean and the rocky land, the beating billows and the howling storm: within is plenty and elegance, beauty and gaiety, the song and the dance. In Raasay, if I could have found an Ulysses, I had fancied a Phaeacia' (Dr Johnson).] (Miers 2007; Gifford 1992; Hunt 1961; Harrison 1961). Architecture Notes - Architect: Charles Wilson, 1848 - addition; 18th century house with 19th century additions. Architect: Alexander Ross (I.C Nov.30, 1876) - additions and alterations.
2 - Raasay House, Pathway Gate HCSMR no. NG54NW0044 - NMRS no. NG53NW 30.01 - NGR NG 548 366 3- Raasay House, Garden Gate HCSMR no. NG54NW0073 - NMRS no. NG53NW 30.02 - NGR NG 547 363 4 - Raasay House, Gate HCSMR no. NG54NW0075 - NMRS no. NG53NW 30.03 - NGR NG 548 364
5 - Raasay House, Gardener's Cottage HCSMR no. NG54NW0081 - NMRS no. NG53NW 30.04 - NGR NG 54774 36671 Group Category: C(S) HB Number 13933 - Item Number: 25 - Date of Listing 08-SEP-1982
Upgraded to Category A 14 August 2001, Group with Items:Gardner's Cottage Earlier 19th century, single storey and attic house, 3 bays with centre pedimented door-piece. Coursed rubble, tooled dressings. Eaves band; 2 small (later) stone fronted gabled wallhead dormers; lying-pane glazing; steps and cast-iron railings to front door. Small single storey wing of similar built set back at west gable. End stacks; slate roof. Excellent quality tooling to dressings; broached and droved long and short detailing. Sited close to walled garden. Among the 'improved' estate buildings are: Gardener's Cottage, 1851, probably by Charles Wilson, a smart little lodge in a spare neo Classical style with expertly tooled dressings and original 10-pane glazing (Miers 2007).
6 - Raasay House, Walled Garden HCSMR no. x - NMRS no. NG53NW 30.05 - NGR NG 5474 3663 Walled garden, 18th century, 'well stocked with kitchen stuff, gooseberries, raspberries, currants, strawberries, apple-trees' wrote Boswell in 1773, and renowned during the Victorian era for its vineries of ripened fruit, peach and hot houses (Miers 2007). 6a - Raasay House, Tennis Court Gazetteer 2 Appendix III Gazetteer, Raasay House environs
NGR NG 5467 3663 (CFA 1997, site 6 - Field walking and local sources) Landscaping feature probably laid out around the turn of 20th century (on OS 1904 map but not on OS 1877 map), consists of a terraced level platform measuring c.30 m by 23 m, to the S it stands to a max height of 1.4 m. Built as a tennis court and later used as a camping ground and football pitch. 7 - Raasay House, Kennels HCSMR no. x - NMRS no. NG53NW 30.06 - NGR NG 5492 3653 Among this ensemble of good 19th century estate buildings are the Kennels (a row of seven in a single block) and former Laundry (now a farmhouse (Miers 2007). 8 - Raasay House, Laundry HCSMR no. x - NMRS no. NG53NW 30.07 - NGR NG 5489 3657 Among this ensemble of good 19th century estate buildings are the Kennels (a row of seven in a single block) and former Laundry (now a farmhouse) (Miers 2007).
9 - Raasay House, Home Farm - Farmstead HCSMR no. NG54NW0018 - NMRS no. NG53NW 31.00 - NGR NG 54910 36477 Group Category: B HB Number 13934 - Item Number: 26 - Date of Listing 08-SEP-1982 Early 19th century farm square, with later clock tower over entrance, Clock Tower; Alexander Ross, 1877. Harled rubble, tooled dressings and margins. 13 bay symmetrical south frontage with centre round-headed archway topped by later square clock tower with long vents north and south and shallow piended platform roof raised at eaves to accommodate clock faces. Shallow corbelled upper stage; bracketted eaves course. Entrance flanked by single ground and upper floor openings with band course between linking wide entrance bay with imposts of flanking arcades; wide advanced outer bays, that to right former carriage house, to left recessed round headed arch filled with false louvring. 5 louvred round headed arcades to left fronting drying barn (also arcaded to north elevation). Similar arcading to right, now blocked, fronting former stables. 2 shallow-arched cart bays in north-east range within square with loft above; simple chamfering to byre doorways; lying-pane glazing to some windows; stables converted for cattle use. Slate roofs. Home farm, c.1805, aggrandised with clocktower by Alexander Ross, 1877. An excellent, if dilapidated, survival of its type, retaining original byres, stables (stall dividers removed), bothy, dairy, panelled tackroom (with original fittings) above a carriage house, granary above bull pens, and workshop ranges, all grouped round a cobbled court. Daniell's sketch of 1818 shows the classical arcaded frontage before Ross's clocktower disfigured its central pediment. (Miers 2007). 10 - Raasay House, Home Farm - Barn Top Barn of Kintail/Lochalsh type.: long hay threshing barn to north of farm square; dressed, coursed rubble; large percentage of walling taken up by timber louvring flanking centre door south elevation, and by wattling to north. Remains of horse walk to north. Piended slate roof. (INVERNESS COURIER 1877). Top Barn, 1856 (the year a diary entry records 'heather barn destroyed by fire'). A long, piend-roofed threshing barn with extensive timber louvring. Boswell's description of its predecessor shows how little the general form of these Kintail barns has changed: 'about the highth of an ordinary dike, and above that is work of wattles covered on the outside with heath ... And it is well thatched with heath. This is better than having slits in the walls, for the air comes more equally' (Miers 2007). 11 - Raasay House, Steading HCSMR no. NG53NW0018 - NGR 54931: 36512 - LEGAL STATUS: Listed B
12 - St Maol-Luag's Chapel; St Moluag's Chapel - Burial Ground, Chapel, Cross Slab Gazetteer 3 Appendix III Gazetteer, Raasay House environs
HCSMR no. NG54NW0001 - NMRS no. NG53NW 1 - NGR NG 5483 3663 Scheduled Monument & Listed Building Category: B Date 08-SEP-1982 HB Number 13911 Item Number: 27 - Ruins of two chapels, probably medieval and both orientated east/west; the smaller adapted during 19th century as burial vault. Both of rubble with ashlar dressings, both roofless. Narrow lancet windows; Y-tracery window to smaller and small female mask set high in east gable. Stone retaining wall with cast-iron railings; burial stones from 18th and 19th century. Kilmoluag graveyard: a walled enclosure with three roofless structures and a number of grave slabs, one with fragments of medieval sculpture. Former parish church, early 13th century, the rubbly ruin of a medieval church on a religious site founded c.560-90 and dedicated to St Moluag. It has a good round-arched splayed window in the east gable and a late medieval arched tomb recess on the inside south wall. By 1773, when Raasay was part of Skye's Snizort parish, it was 'unroofed and ruinous' and used for burials. Memorial Chapel, 1839, in memory of a Macleod daughter, possibly replacing the 'family burying-place' visited by Johnson and Boswell in 1773. This ashlar-faced Gothick chapel stands on a sloping site, underbuilt by five courses of rock-faced masonry, in the fashion of Edinburgh's New Town. Just visible is a tiny, lichen-blurred female mask reset on the inside apex of the east gable. Boswell saw it on the earlier building - a 'small bust or image of the Virgin Mary, carved upon a stone which makes part of the wall'. Burial lair to west, possibly 11th century, with bevelled door lintel. The boundaries of Kilmoluag's burial sanctuary were once marked out by carved stone crosses, one of which has now been relocated to the roadside, just west of the mansion (Miers 2007) St Maol-luang's Chapel, in ruins (OS 1904) a church dependent on Lismore in Loan, the central community of St Moluag, (Scott 1918, 236-7) is described by Johnson as a chapel unroofed and ruinous. Its precincts were of old a sanctuary, which was marked by 8 erect stones or crosses mentioned by Martin as pyramids for deceased ladies, (NG53NW 4) some of which were remaining in 1773 (OPS 1854; Martin 1934). The ruins of the 13th century chapel (MacGibbon & Ross 1896-7) are situated within a small burial ground. Both gables and the larger portion of the S wall remain to their original height, but the N wall is now considerably broken down. There are a number of interesting features, details of which are obscured by obvious changes of ground level both internally and externally. The chapel is roofless, orientated NW-SE, and measures externally 52ft long, 24 1/2ft wide at the NW gable and 2ft at the SE gable. The walls are 3ft thick and there is evidence, especially in the S wall, of structual alterations at different periods. The original door was placed 16 1/2ft from the W end of the S wall, but it appears to have been built up and substituted by another doorway, traces of which can still be detected in the dilapidated N wall. There are windows in the E end of the W wall and N Wall, and the W gable. The W gable is intaken 10 ins - 1ft at 10 1/2ft above the present interior level, and remaining joist-holes indicate that there was a gallery at this end. Similar joist-holes in the N and S walls near the E gable possibly indicate provision for a screen. There is a tomb recess in the S wall. There is a decorated cross-slab in the burial ground (Simpson 1935). St Maol-luag's Chapel as described above. On the S side of the chapel is a small detached 19th century family burial vault of the Macleods of Raasay. The burial ground is still used for the descendants of those interred there (Visited by OS 1961). The decorated cross-slab mentioned by RCAHMS could not be found, otherwise no change (Visited by OS 1971). Class I symbol stone showing a tuning-fork above a crescent and V-rod. (Mack 1997). (Raasay 3) Fragment of a slab of red Torridonian sandstone, found in 1998, which is to be displayed in the Raasay Heritage Trust museum. It measures 0.24 m by 0.22 m and is 90 mm thick. The smoother face bears an incomplete cross-of-arcs, finely incised within a deeper Gazetteer 4 Appendix III Gazetteer, Raasay House environs groove, 0.26 m in original diameter, of which only three short sections remain. The centre is damaged by a later hole, 15 mm in both diameter and depth, but it is clear that, as in the rock-cut cross (no.2), the opposed arcs did not touch at the centre (Raasay 4) A small slab of red sandstone was found lying at the foot of a grave in 1926, but cannot now be identified. It measured 0.39 m by 0.16 m and 33 mm thick, and bore in low relief, 'on the rounded and somewhat mutilated upper portion', an equal-armed cross with semicircular armpits and a ring linking the outer ends of the arms. The Commissioners are indebted to Mr R Henery, Glasgow, and Mrs R Mackay, Raasay, for bringing this stone to their attention (RCAHMS 1928, 178 no.573; Fisher 2001, 104).
13 - St Maol Luag's Chapel - Graveyard HCSMR no. NG53NW0067 - NMRS no. NG53NW 1 - NGR NG 54816 36631 A survey of the graveyard of this site was carried out by The Association of Certificated Field Archaeologists (ACFA) in 2005 HCSMR file 1609). A total of 91 stones were recorded and measured, including those of the MacLeod family, which were contained within a small mausoleum to the S of the chapel remains. The graveyard measures 46 m x 29 m and is bounded by a stone wall surmounted by an iron railing. Within are three ruinous structures, all aligned E-W. The largest is the chapel, which is 16 m x 7.5 m. The early Victorian MacLeod Chapel or mausoleum is 6.5 m x 3.5 m. Finally, there is the small mausoleum known as the Lady Chapel, which is 4 m x 3 m. In addition there are 5 other enclosures in the graveyard that contain memorial stones. PERIOD: 19th Century; Later Medieval (AD 1200-1500); Post Medieval (AD 1500-2000); The chapel is dedicated to St Moluag, a missionary saint from Bangor, Ulster. The chapel is mentioned in 1501 but is clearly older than this. It is believed that the settlement was founded by monks from Lismore or direct from Bangor in AD 569. Although the surrounding graveyard is quite small, local tradition believes it has been more extensive in the past (Beattie & Beattie 1993; J S Wood, J Macdonald HCSMR 2005).
14 - Raasay House; Churchton Bay - Cross Incised Rock - Scheduled HCSMR no. NG54NW0002 - NMRS no. NG53NW 2 - NGR NG 5455 3631 Cross (OS 1904) on a sloping rock facing SE, immediately to the W of a shed on the S side of the old pier at Raasay and about 9' above high-water mark, is an incised Chi-Rho cross 3'7" in length. The head of the cross is formed by four intersecting curves within a square, the sides of which are 20" in length, and the shaft, 23 " in length and 2 1/2" in breadth for the greater part of its length is composed of a medial line between two marginal lines. Nearby was found a Pictish symbol stone bearing a similarly incised cross (OS Name Book 1877; RCAHMS 1928; PSAS 1907) (Gaz 15). Crosses of this type are dated by Curle (1940) to the second half of the 7th century, but see Radford (1942, 1-18) and Stevenson (1955) who criticise this paper, and Galbraith (1933, 318-20) who gives a second half of the 6th century date on the suggestion that it is connected with St Moluag's mission to Raasay. It is mentioned by Boswell (Pottle & Bennett 1963,118) as the place where the Macleods of Raasay practised their devotions and noted by him as one of the St Maol-luags sanctuary markers. An incised cross as described above. Surveyed at 1:2500, noted 1997 (Cameron 1997). A Chi-rho cross is incised on the E face of the sandstone outcrop that divides the two halves of Churchton Bay and which soon after 1800 was converted into a battery (Sharpe 1977, 44). The pier of the same period lies to the W of the outcrop, and the rock-carving may have been the 'cross, or rather the ruins of one, upon a rock' which Boswell observed close to the rocks on which he and Johnson landed in 1773 (Pottle & Bennett 1963, 132). Elsewhere he described, 'rudely drawn a square with a crucifix in the middle', and made a sketch (Pottle & Gazetteer 5 Appendix III Gazetteer, Raasay House environs
Bennett 1963, 141-2; Fisher 2001, 103-4). The lower part of the outcrop includes a steeply-sloping but fairly regular surface, about 5 m long and 3 m high, on which the cross is carved. The cross is similar to but larger than that on the symbol-stone, having a frame 0.52 m square for the cross-of-arcs and a shaft 0.57 m high, and the foot of the shaft is about 1.4 m above present ground level. There are several vertical cracks in the upper part of the rock-face, and one of these was incorporated in the right side of the frame. The arms of the cross lack the inner triangles of that on the symbol-stone, and they intersect without any circular boss. The top of the cusped shaft curves out to form a broader base for the cross, and it has an axial groove which terminates just above the rounded foot to give the effect of a double band (NMS cast X.IB 224; RCAHMS 1928, no.581; Richardson 1907, 435-6; PSAS 1933, 64; Sharpe 1977, 21-5). Scheduled (with Gaz 22) as `Raasay House cross-incised slab and battery'.
15 - Raasay House - Cross Slab, Pictish Symbol Stone - Scheduled HCSMR no. NG54NW0003 - NMRS no. NG53NW 3.00 - NGR NG 5467 3677 Standing Stone (Sculptured) (OS 1904) on the summit of a rockery some 15' from the E side of the road 200 yards NNW of Raasay House is a dressed slab of native grey granite 4' 8" long, 1' 9" broad and 6" thick, bearing on the upper part of one face a Chi-Rho Cross set in a square, with the Pictish symbols a tuning-fork and crescent with divergent floriated rod below (RCAHMS 1928). The stone, which is not in situ, is said to have been found when the road from the pier to Raasay House was made, about 100 yards from the rock bearing a a similarly incised Chi-Rho cross (PSAS 1907) (NG53NW 2) Shown on a distribution map and dated to the second half of the 7th century on the evidence of the cross by Curle (1940, 68-74), but see Radford (1942) and Stevenson (1955) who criticise this paper. Proc Soc Antiq Scot 1907; J J Galbraith 1933, 318-20 A symbol stone as described above (Visited by OS 1961). Class II symbol stone bearing a cross with underneath a tuning fork over a crescent and V-rod (Mack 1997). (Raasay 1) This slab is said to have been found when James MacLeod of Raasay (d.1824) was building the road from the landing-place to Raasay House, about 90 m from the rock-cut cross no.2 (NG c.5462 3637) (Richardson 1907, 435). It now stands at the entrance to a conifer plantation, 7 m E of the road from Clachan to Oscaig and 190 m NNW of Raasay House. It is fixed in a turf-covered modern base on a stony mound about 0.5 m high and 4 m in diameter. The slab is a rectangle of granite, 1.56 m in visible height (Richardson 1907 records the overall height as 2.13 m, 435) by 0.56 m and 0.18 m in thickness. The surface is slightly irregular and has flaked, especially at the left, both before and after carving, while the edges show signs of rough dressing. At the top of one face there is an incised cross-of-arcs adapted to a 0.39 m square frame, and with a scroll attached to the right side of the top arm to represent the rho of the Chi-rho symbol. Each arm has a flat margin formed by a triangle whose outer end is convex, perhaps showing the derivation of the cross from the more common circular form. At the centre there is a raised ring round a hollow, 40 mm in overall diameter. The cross is supported by a shaft of the same height as the square and 70 mm wide at foot and top, whose sides curve out into cusps just above mid-height. Below the foot of the shaft there is a 'tuning-fork' symbol, set horizontally with a damaged double-spiral handle at the right and a small boss with a central hollow at its junction with the prongs. The ends of the four prongs extend onto a flaked area to the left, and their terminals, which should define two bars with a central notch (RA 135), are lost by further flaking. Below this there is a crescent-and-V-rod symbol, with ornament of the 'dome-and-wing' type. Both terminals are damaged, but remains of double spirals suggest that they were of identical type. Gazetteer 6 Appendix III Gazetteer, Raasay House environs
NMS cast, X.IB 223; RCAHMS 1928, 185 no.582 and fig.265; PSAS 1933, 63; Stevenson 1955, C2; McRoberts 1963, pl.27; Sharpe 1977, 21-5; Mack 1997, 113; Fisher 2001, 103).
16 - Raasay House - Cross, Sanctuary Marker HCSMR no. NG54NW0004 - NMRS no. NG53NW 4 - NGR NG 5479 3677 Ruin (OS 1877) "About 150 yards N of the site of Torr Iain Ghairbh is the ruin of what is said to be a place of worship but is evidently one of the row of buildings described by Boswell in his Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides. Its present appearance is a square of four feet and one foot above the surface (OS Name Book 1877, 17). "The proprietor of isle Raasay is Mr MacLeod his seat is in the village Clachan. The inhabitants have a great veneration for him as any subjects can have for their king. They preserve the memory of the deceased ladies of the place by erecting a pyramid of stone for each of them, with the lady's name. These pyramids are by them called crosses; several of them are built of stone and lime, and have three steps of gradual ascent to them. There are eight such crosses about the village ..." (Martin 1934). "The eight crosses, which Martin (1934) mentioned as pyramids for deceased ladies, stood in a semi-circular line, which contained within it the chapel of St Maol-luag (q.v. NG53NW 1). They marked out the boundaries of the sacred territory within which an asylum was to be had. One of them on one of the rocks where we landed, which took the form of a rudely carved square with a crucifix in the middle, (q.v. NG53NW 2) made the first point of the semi-circle. There are few of them now remaining. A good way farther N, there is a row of buildings about 4' high: they run from the shore on the E along the top of a pretty high eminence, and so down to the shore on the W, in much the same direction with the crosses. Rasay took them to be the marks for the asylum; but Malcolm (Macleod 1884) thought them to be false sentinels, a common deception, of which instances occur in Martin (but not in connection with Raasay) to make invaders imagine an island better guarded. Mr Donald McQueen, justly in my opinion, supposed the crosses which for the inner circle to be Church's land-marks". (Pottle & Bennent 1963, 118-19). Origines (OPS 1854, 347, 348), with reference to Martin, Johnson and Boswell notes :- "the precincts of St Moluags' Chapel were of old a sanctuary, which was marked by eight erect stones or crosses,some of which were remaining in 1773". The same publication, referring this time only to Boswell says:- "in 1773 there stood parallel to the sanctuary a number of crosses, and a little to the north of them a range of buildings about 4' high, supposed by some to have been intended as false sentinels ..." (For allegedly associated crosses, &c see NG53NW 2, 3 and 12). . NG 547 367. By the side of a foot-path within a Forestry Commission plantation there is the base of a 'sanctuary marker' or cross, similar to the example S of Raasay House (NG53NW 12). It comprises a rectangular base of dressed stone blocks measuring 3.2 m E - W by 2.5 m N - S and 1.2 m in height, surmounted by two large boulders set up on edge, behind which is a mound of earth and stone with an elderberry tree on top. No trace of other 'sanctuary crosses' was found (Visited by OS 1961). Surveyed at 1:2500 (Visited by OS 1971). Cross-base: recorded during May 1993 ahead of felling mature trees (Dualchas 1994).
17 - Raasay House - Cross Base, Sanctuary Marker - Scheduled HCSMR no. NG54NW0012 - NMRS no. NG53NW 12 - NGR NG 5454 3632 On a small knoll about a quarter of a mile SW of Raasay House at the N. end of the wall which encloses a private battery, there is a square piece of masonry, said to be the base of a
Gazetteer 7 Appendix III Gazetteer, Raasay House environs cross which formed the boundary of the land attached to St Maol-luag's chapel at Raasay House (q.v. NG53NW 4) (OS Name Book 1877, 10). The remains of this sanctuary cross comprise a base of squared stone bonded with lime mortar measuring 2.3 m by 2.0 m and 1.0 m in height, with a fragment of a second tier originally about 1.3 m square, and 0.5 m high (Visited by OS 1961). No change (Visited by OS 1971). Site recorded during an archaeological assessment undertaken in September 1997 in advance of a proposed new ferry terminal. NG 5454 3636 Cross base, sanctuary marker (Cameron 1997)
18 - Raasay House; Torr Iain Ghairbh - Cross Slab, Sanctuary Marker HCSMR no. NG54NW0013 - NMRS no. NG53NW 13 - NGR NG 5478 3661 Sculptured Stone (found AD 1846) (NG 5477 3658) (OS 1904) Standing Stone (Sculptured) (OS 1877). Immediately S of Torr Iain Ghairbh (NG53NW 10), a sculptured stone was found in 1846, which is presently placed in an upright position near the E end of Raasay House. This rough granite slab bears on one side in relief what appears to commemorate one of the stages of the Passion of Christ, and is possibly one of the eight crosses referred to by Boswell as St Maol-luag's chapel sanctuary markers (see NG53NW 4). The OS published entries indicate that this stone was removed from where it was set up, some time between 1877 and 1904 (OS Name Book 1877, 17; Pottle & Bennett 1963). This stone could not be found at Raasay House. Local enquiries proved negative (Visited by OS 1961). No further information (Visited by OS 1971).
19 - Uamh Nan Ramh - Cave, Souterrain - Scheduled HCSMR no. NG54NW0007 - NMRS no. NG53NW 7 - NGR NG 5495 3639 Uamh nan Ramh (OS 1877) is an artificial cave, formed by covering the space between two parallel rocks, and situated in a plantation about 1/4 mile SE of Raasay House. It was formerly used for concealing boat oars, hence the name, which means "Oar Cave" (OS Name Book 1877, 3). A cleft 0.9 m wide, in an outcrop of rock facing E, has been roofed over with heavy stone lintels, from a point 4.0 m from the face of the outcrop and extending 4.5 m W, the lintels at the entrance being 1.1 m above ground level and the roofing sloping down to the rear of the 'cave', the whole being covered over with earth and turf. The feature has the appearance of considerable age (Visited by OS 1961). The tradition, and the name "Uamh nan Ramh", which is as described by previous OS field investigator, are still known locally (Visited by OS 1971). Uamh nan Ramh was visited in 1773 by Dr Johnson (Chapman 1924).A souterrain about 120+ m long was visited in 1773 by Johnstone in 'Journey to the Western Isles' and in Boswell's 'Tour of the Hebrides', quote "A little from the shore, westward, is a kind of subterranian house. There has been a natural fissure or separation of rock running towards the sea which has been roofed over with long stones, and above them turf has been laid." The souterrain lies on a craggy mound, covered in small shrubs and trees 2.5 m west of the main Inverarish-Clachan road, opposite the old Post Office. The site overlooks a small burn running from Loch a'Mhuilinn, to the south. It is formed by roofing a natural fissure with large lintels but in places these are supported by built up sides of stone where the fissure sides are too low. There is a small break in the passage roof 6-7 m from the entrance where a lintel is missing. However, this has been used as a rubbish tip which blocks further access to the passage. The passage carries on for another 7-8 m before it terminates where a large lintel has fallen in, it may have went further. Visited by A Nicolson 2 July 1990. Between the 25th and 29th of March, 1991, Skye and Lochalsh Museums Service and the Raasay Heritage Society cleared the souterrain of recently accumulated domestic rubbish (ie Gazetteer 8 Appendix III Gazetteer, Raasay House environs
20th century) down to, but not into, presumed archaeological deposits. During removal of the rubbish 3 fallen cap-stones/lintels were removed from the pasage floor. These lintels are on display to the left of the souterrain's upper entrance. Visited by M Wildgoose April 1991. (Miket et al 1991; Miket 2002; NMRS MS/530. Site recorded during an archaeological assessment undertaken in September 1997 in advance of a proposed new ferry terminal. NG 5495 3639 Souterrain (Cameron 1997)
20 - Kilmaluag Castle; Torr Iain Ghairbh - Castle HCSMR no. NG54NW0010 - NMRS no. NG53NW 10 - NGR NG 5478 3662 Clachan. Site of the 16th century '`little tower' of Kilmoluag, the Macleods' secondary residence on the more sheltered and fertile side of the island, to which they moved from their stronghold on the north east coast c.1650. It stood in what is now the garden behind Raasay House and had a 'faire orchard' (Miers 2007). Site of Torr Iain Ghairbh (OS 1877), the name applies to the site of the residence of the McLeods of Raasay, which was fired after the rebellion of 1745 and later replaced by the present mansion, Raasay House. No trace of the tower, which is said to have had 3 stories (Pottle and Bennett 1963), is now visible, the foundation being removed about 1846 when the vegetable garden was extended (OS Name Book 1877, 17). It was noted by Dean Munro (Martin 1934) in the mid 16th century as the castle of Killmorocht with a fair orchard. The island is described by him as "perteining to M'Gyllychallan of Raarsay be the sword, and to the bishop of the iles by heritage. This same M'Gyllychallan shud obey M'Cloyd of Lewis." Martin Martin (1934) refers to it as "a little tower" at Clachan and Origines (OPS 1854, 348), which quotes both Munro and Martin, calls it the castle of Kilmaluag. The site is listed by RCAHMS (1928, 185 no. 592) as Castle Killmorocht or Castle of Kilmaluag, but a tentative association by them with a ruin marked by the OS (q.v. NG53NW 4) must, in the light of what is now known about both sites, be rejected (Pottle & Bennett 1963, 118; Miket & Roberts 1990, 44). In 1961 Raasay House was closed up and deserted, and the grounds overgrown. No trace of a castle/tower could be found (Visited by OS 1961). No change when visited by OS 1971.
21 - Cnoc An Ratha - Fort HCSMR no. NG54NW0014 - NMRS no. NG53NW 14 - NGR NG 549 370 (Name: NG 549 370) 'Cnoc an Ratha', Hill of the Fort, suggests the existence of a fort, though nothing is visible on air photographs, nor is there any further information in the OS Name Book (1877, 14). Visible on RAF air photographs CPE/Scot/UK/274: 4381-2.
22 - Clachan; Raasay House; Churchton Bay - Battery - Scheduled HCSMR no. NG54NW0016 - NMRS no. NG53NW 16.00 - NGR NG 5454 3630 On a knoll above the old landing site on Churchton Bay, the Battery, c.1809, an eyecatcher of defensive intent, battlemented and surmounted by one (originally six) cannon (the 12th chief commanded a battalion of volunteers to combat a possible Napoleonic invasion) (Miers 2007). Site recorded during an archaeological assessment undertaken in September 1997 in advance of a proposed new ferry terminal : NG 5455 3632 Battery; NG 5456 3630 Lean-to structure; NG 5458 3627 Structure (Cameron 1997). Scheduled (with NG53NW 2) as Raasay House, cross-incised slab and battery' (Historic Scotland scheduling document 12 February 2004).
23 - Clachan Battery - Gate HCSMR no. NG54NW0074 - NMRS no. NG53NW 16.01 - NGR NG 545 363 HB Num amended to link to Raasay House Listing where site described as following: Gazetteer 9 Appendix III Gazetteer, Raasay House environs
'Small landing jetty close to house flanked by mound encircled with low crenellated wall and spearhead cast-iron railings. Walls flanked by two large stone recumbent mermaid figures.' (GK) LBLP 01/2004
24 - Clachan Pier HCSMR no. NG54NW0019 - NMRS no. NG53NW 32 - NGR NG 5450 3632 Old Pier, begun 1854, with a small U-plan dock (Miers 2007; Cameron 1997) 25 - Clachan Tidal Dock, Boathouse, Pier HCSMR no. NG54NW0020 - NMRS no. NG53NW 33 - NGR NG 5454 3639 Site recorded during an archaeological assessment undertaken in September 1997 in advance of a proposed new ferry terminal. NG 5455 3638 Tidal dock/pier (Cameron 1997)
26 - Inverarish - Cairn HCSMR no. NG54NW0038 - NMRS no. NG53NW 34 - NGR NG 5492 3687 Cairn: recorded during May 1993 ahead of felling mature trees (Dualchas 1994).
27 - Clachan - Gate HCSMR no. NG54NW0040 - NMRS no. NG53NW 35 - NGR NG 546 367 28 - Clachan - Gate HCSMR no. NG54NW0043 - NMRS no. NG53NW 3.01 - NGR NG 546 368
29 - Clachan Cemetery - Graveyard HCSMR no. NG53NW0041 - NGR 54800 36600 30 - Clachan Cemetery - Gate HCSMR no. NG54NW0099 - NMRS no. NG53NW 36 - NGR NG 548 366
31 - Clachan - House HCSMR no. NG53NW0042 - NGR 54800 36500
32 - Clachan - Gate HCSMR no. NG54NW0042 - NMRS no. NG53NW 37 - NGR NG 548 365
33 - Raasay Harbour HCSMR no. NG54NW0059 - NMRS no. NG53NW 50 - NGR NG 5445 3635 (OS 1966)
34 - Clachan - Carved Stone HCSMR no. NG54NW0069 - NMRS no. NG53NW 59 - NGR NG 5492 3638 Site recorded during an archaeological assessment undertaken in September 1997 in advance of a proposed new ferry terminal. Carved stone (Cameron 1997)
35 - Clachan - Cistern HCSMR no. NG54NW0070 - NMRS no. NG53NW 60 - NGR NG 5477 3642 Site recorded during an archaeological assessment undertaken in September 1997 in advance of a proposed new ferry terminal. Cistern .(Cameron 1997)
36 - Clachan - Structure HCSMR no. NG54NW0071 - NMRS no. NG53NW 61 - NGR NG 5485 3631
Gazetteer 10 Appendix III Gazetteer, Raasay House environs
Site recorded during an archaeological assessment undertaken in September 1997 in advance of a proposed new ferry terminal (Cameron 1997)
37 - Clachan, Boathouse and Jetty HCSMR no. NG54NW0077 - NMRS no. NG53NW 64 - NGR NG 5458 3629
38 - Clachan, Worker's Cottages HCSMR no. NG54NW0078 - NMRS no. NG53NW 65 - NGR NG 5483 3629
39 - Clachan, Old Harbour - Lithic Scatter HCSMR no. NG54NW0059 - NMRS no. NG53NW 70 - NGR NG 5441 3640 This site was recorded in 2001 as part of the Scotland's First Settlers Project (DES 2000, 44-45) : NG 5481 3997 Clachan, Old Harbour Lithic Scatter - a peat exposure with submerged tree remains, lying in an intertidal zone within the Old Harbour. One baked mudstone flake was found within the peat deposit (Hardy & Wickham-Jones, 2001).
40 - Raasay, North Bay - Archaeological Evaluation HCSMR no.x - NMRS no. NG53NW 71 - NGR NG 546 367 An evaluation, including desk-based research, walkover survey and trial trenching, was undertaken of the site of a proposed new Outdoor Centre. Desk-based research showed that only three previously recorded sites, the most important being a Pictish symbol stone (NG53NW 3), lay within 100 m of the proposal. Walkover survey recorded two grassy mounds and a possible platform. Trial trenching revealed a mid-20th century rubbish dump, an informal cemetery for farm animals, and an early prehistoric occupation site on the platform - possibly Mesolithic (Wildgoose 2003).
41 - 46 - Ardhuish - Lazy Beds, Path, Quarry Scoop, Wall HCSMR no. NG54NW0068 - NMRS no. NG53NW 58 - NGR NG 5430 3640 Sites recorded during an archaeological assessment undertaken in September 1997 in advance of a proposed new ferry terminal. NG 5438 3645 - NG 5441 3647 Wall; tidal defence. NG 542 362 - NG 543 364 Terraced paths. NG 5426 3637 Quarry scoops. NG 5426 3641 Lazy beds. NG 5436 3647 Quarry scoop. (Cameron 1997)
Gazetteer 11 Appendix III Bibliography
Beattie, Alastair G & Beattie, Margaret H (1993) .'Lochaber and Skye Monumental Inscriptions', pre 1855, The survey may not include inscription information after 1855 and each inscription transcribed does not give the full details that appear on the stones, abbreviations used. Some ommissions and inacuracies may be encountered.
Cameron, K (1997) 'Churchton Bay, Raasay (Portree parish), archaeological assessment', Discovery Excav Scot, 1997, 50. Report lodged with the NMRS & Sponsor Highland Council HCSMR ref 256 Chapman, R W (ed.) (1924) Johnson's Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland and Boswell's Journal of a tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson, LL.D, Oxford, 54, 269 Curle, C L (1940) 'The chronology of the early Christian monuments of Scotland', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 74, 1939-40
Dualchas (1994) 'Inverarish, Raasay (Portree parish): pre-felling survey', Discovery Excav Scot, 1994, 41 - Dualchas, Skye and Lochaish Museums Service for Forest Enterprise
Fisher, I (2001) Early Medieval sculpture in the West Highlands and Islands, RCAHMS/SocAntScot Monograph series 1, Edinburgh
Galbraith, J J (1933) 'The Chi-Rho Crosses on Raasay: their importance and chronological relationships', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 67, 1932-3 Gifford, J (1992) Highland and Islands, The buildings of Scotland series, London, 548-9 Groome. F (1882) Ordnance Gazetteer, 234-5
Hardy and Wickham-Jones, K and C (2001) 'Inner Sound, Highland (Portree parish), coastal survey', Discovery Excav Scot, 2, 2001, 62 - Full report lodged with the NMRS. Sponsors: Historic Scotland, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Society of Antiquaries of London, Prehistoric Society, University of Edinburgh Harrison, S, (1961) Scot Field, 108, 700,.30-31 Historic Scotland (on Behalf of Scottish Ministers). The List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest Holmes, A.B (1961) 'Fair Island of Raasay', Scotland's Mag, 57, 4, 1961, April, 22-26 Hunt, J M (1961) 'Raasay, A jewel of the Hebrides'
INVERNESS COURIER (1876) Advertisement for tenders, Nov 30 - (1877) Advertisement for tenders. Sept 14
MacGibbon and Ross, D and T (1896-7) 'The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century', 3v, Edinburgh, Vol. 1, 98 Mack, A (1997) Field guide to the Pictish symbol stones, Balgavies, Angus Macleod, D J, (also see 3rd ed., 1884), Stirling, 215, 4th McRoberts, D (1963) 'The ecclesiastical significance of the St Ninian's Isle treasure', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 94, 1960-1, 309-10 Martin, M (1934) A description of the Western Islands of Scotland circa 1695 Miket, R {et al.} (1991) 'Survey', Discovery Excav Scot, 1991, 44 Miket, R (2002) 'The souterrains of Skye' in Ballin Smith, B and Banks, I, In the shadow of the brochs: the Iron Age in Scotland, A celebration of the work of Dr. Euan MacKie on the Iron Age of Scotland, Stroud, 86, 88, 90, 91, 105-7 Miket and Roberts, R and D L (1990) The medieval castles of Skye and Lochalsh, Portree
Bibliography 1 Appendix III Bibliography
Miers. M (2002) The Western Seaboard: An illustrated architectural guide - (2007) The Western Seaboard: an illustrated architectural guide, Rutland Press Miers. R. Scotland Highlands and Islands (1994)
NSA (1845) New Statistical Account. Statistical Account of the Parish of Portree 1841, vol xiv
OPS (1854) Origines parochiales Scotiae: the antiquities ecclesiastical and territorial of the parishes of Scotland, 2, 1, Edinburgh OS (1877) 25" map, Isle of Skye OS (1904) 6" map, Inverness-shire, 2nd ed. OS (1966) 1:10,000 Map OS Name Book (1877) Original Name Books of the Ordnance Survey, Inverness, Book 15
Pottle and Bennett, F A and C H (1963) Boswell's Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides, 1773 PSAS (1933) 'Donations to and purchases for the Museum and Library with exhibits', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 67, 1932-3, 64 PSAS (1907) 'Donations to and purchases from the Museum and Library with exhibits', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 41, 1906-7, 435
Radford, C A R (1942) 'The early Christian monuments of Scotland', Antiquity, 16, 1942 RCAHMS (1928) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Ninth report with inventory of monuments and constructions in the Outer Hebrides, Skye and the Small Isles, Edinburgh Richardson, J S (1907) 'Notice of kitchen-midden deposits on North Berwick Law, and other antiquities in the vicinity of North Berwick; with a note of an undescribed sculptured stone, with symbols, in the island of Raasay', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 41, 1906-7 Roberts, D (1980) 'Raasay House' Clan MacLeod Magazine, vol. 8 No 50, 186-193 - (1908b) 'Raasay House' Clan MacLeod Magazine. Vol. 8. no. 51,.226-230
Scott, A B (1918) The Pictish nation: its people and its church, Edinburgh Sharpe, R (1977) Raasay: a study in island history Simpson, W D (1935) The Celtic church in Scotland: a study of its penetration lines and art relationships, Aberdeen, 78-80 Stevenson, R B K (1955) 'Pictish art' 97-128, in Wainwright, F T, The Problem of the Picts, Edinburgh Strachan. S. 'The Evolution of Raasay House' AHSS Journal (Autumn 2000)
Wildgoose, M (2003) 'North Bay, Raasay (Portree parish), evaluation', Discovery Excav Scot, 4, 2003, 90. Report lodged with HCSMR. Sponsor: Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Bibliography 2 Appendix IV
HIGHLAND COUNCIL ARCHAEOLOGY UNIT, PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICE SPECIFICATION FOR AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL WATCHING BRIEF
Installation of Foul & Surface Water Drainage Systems at Raasay House Isle Of Raasay (SL-04-004)
Summary
This project may impact on valuable features of historic and archaeological importance. In view of the archaeological potential/sensitivity of the site, HCAU advised that archaeological mitigation is required. The implementation of this brief will meet the concerns raised. This brief is for a Watching Brief which will enable any discoveries to be recorded quickly and efficiently as they appear with minimum delay or disruption to the development. If significant deposits are encountered, recommendations for further measures necessary to mitigate the impact of the development must be made. This brief has been produced for the applicant who will be responsible for the work and costs, including any tendering and contractual arrangements. This brief must be read with reference to the HCAU Development Guidance that sets out in detail who is responsible for what, as well as the terms of reference, objectives, method, monitoring and reporting arrangements.
The Development Guidance is available on our webpage at .highland.gov.uk/yourenvironment/conservation/archaeology or a printed copy is available from this office on request.
Archaeological Background
The application is located close to important prehistoric remains where there is believed to be potential for associated archaeological features or finds to be affected by the development. While the risk is not such as to warrant a full archaeological excavation, it is important that the full nature and extent of any archaeological features should be identified and recorded before destruction.
Objectives Appendix IV
To identify and record any features or objects of archaeological importance that could be damaged or destroyed by this development, while minimising any delays or disruption to the development project.
Methodology
All fieldwork must be informed by a desk-based assessment undertaken in advance of the start of works.
Fieldwork
Archaeological monitoring (a Watching Brief) is required during all site groundworks for this application. Topsoil stripping of the house footprint, the access road and all services must be monitored by an archaeologist so that any buried archaeological features can be identified, recorded and/or appropriate mitigation put in place to ensure their preservation.
All recovered artefacts and ecofacts must be subject to a programme of post-excavation analysis and the results incorporated into a final report.
The Archaeological Contractor must refer to the minimum standard requirements as laid out in HCAU Development Guidance. This brief itself is not comprehensive or definitive - tendering Archaeological Contractors will need to determine for themselves the methodology that will deliver the required product. This should be laid down in a Project Design (or Written Scheme of Investigation) and agreed with HCAU in advance of the start of site works. The start of archaeological work will be subject to the submission and approval of this document.
Schedule & Monitoring
The Archaeological Contractor is responsible for agreeing arrangements for monitoring with HCAU staff. We will monitor projects as necessary to ensure that minimum standards are met. HCAU must be kept fully informed of archaeological works in order that an initial site meeting can be arranged – as necessary – and that monitoring of the work can take place. Prior notice of fieldwork starting dates, with contact names, telephone numbers and arrangements for access must be given to HCAU by the Archaeological Contractor. A Written Scheme of Investigation should be submitted to and agreed with HCAU in advance of the start of work. HCAU must be kept fully informed of archaeological works in order that an initial site meeting can be arranged – as necessary – and that monitoring of the work can take place.
The Archaeological Contractor must make a short progress report (by telephone) to HCAU for every week of fieldwork undertaken. Any unexpectedly significant or complex discoveries, or other unexpected occurrences which might significantly affect Appendix IV
the archaeological work and/or the development must be notified by the Archaeological Contractor immediately to the applicant and HCAU. The finds or features must be left in situ until arrangements have been agreed for safeguarding or recording them. In the meantime work may continue on other areas of the site.
Products
Following completion of the fieldwork, an archive and report will be produced and disseminated according to the standards set out in the HCAU Development Guidance. The report should describe the nature of the field work undertaken; the conditions and limitations within which the work was carried-out; the results that were obtained and recommendations for mitigation and/or further work, as appropriate.
All work will be undertaken according to the Code of Conduct, Standards and Guidance of the Institute of Field Archaeologists.
The brief has been produced specifically for this scheme based on documents supplied at the time it was issued. It is valid for one year from the date of issue. Where work is not carried out in full within that time, a revised specification may be issued.
This brief has been produced by the Highland Council Archaeology Unit, to whom any enquiries should be addressed. No one else has authority to vary its terms.
Highland Council Archaeology Unit Thursday, 10 July 2008