Report of Archaeological Desktop & Walkover Survey Black Isle Water Mains Renewal Project Part 2 – Sections A-P & S-T. Client: Halcrow Group Ltd on behalf of Scottish Water By Stuart Farrell B.A A.I.F.A F.S.A.Scot. April 2005 Contents 1. Introduction 2. Acknowledgements 3. Objectives 4. Survey Results 5. Conclusions 6. Archive 7. Discovery and Excavation 8. References Non-Technical Summary Stuart Farrell was commissioned by Halcrow Group Ltd in late March 2005 to undertake an archaeological desktop and walkover survey for the Black Isle Water Mains Renewal Project. This report forms part 2 of 2 reports. Work revealed a number of previously unrecorded archaeological sites to include buildings, farmsteads and a cropmark. A number of recommendations have been made for further archaeological work to be undertaken. 1. Introduction This report is for an archaeological desktop and walkover survey conducted for Halcrow Group Ltd on behalf of Scottish Water by the author for the Black Isle Water Mains Renewal Project, Highland. The fieldwork was conducted between the 11th & 14th of April 2005. 2. Acknowledgements I would like to thank the following for their help during the work: - Mr. A Barnett, of Halcrow Group Ltd; - Mr. A Ross, of Halcrow Group Ltd; - Staff of Highland Council Archaeology Unit; - Staff of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland; - Staff of the National Monuments Record of Scotland; - Staff of Highland Council Archives; - Staff of the National Library of Scotland, Map room. Stuart Farrell 39a Park Street Nairn Highland IV12 4PP 3. Objectives To conduct a desktop and walkover survey to record those features that would be affected by the new proposed water renewals scheme, new scheme is to follow close to the existing pipeline to allow for connections. This survey to follow those guidelines as proposed by the Institute of Field Archaeologists (IFA, 1999). 4. Archaeological Survey Desktop & Walkover Results A desktop survey was conducted using the following sources: - Highland Council Sites and Monuments Record; - National Monuments Record of Scotland, Edinburgh; - Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland – aerial photograph collection; - National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh (Maps); - Highland Council Archives; - Inverness Library. Aerial photography coverage was very good to the areas of interest. Map coverage was limited as the 1st edition of 1870’s was almost the same as the 2nd of 1907 and little survey work has been carried out in detail in the 20th century, with the next edition being late 1980’s. Early historical maps of the area do not provide enough detail for the proposed routes. Limited archaeological survey work has previously been conducted to the area of the proposed pipelines by the author for part of section G-H at Tore and work by Ordnance Survey. Grid references on-site were obtained using a Garmin II GPS using OS data. HSMR – Highland Sites and Monuments Record NMRS - National Monuments Record of Scotland N/a – not available Recommendations are given after each site. Section A – B – NH 55979/54434 to NH 59136/56932 The following 6 archaeological sites were to be found close to the existing pipeline (existing pipeline is highlighted in red on the relevant maps with sites numbered). Sites are as follows: 1 – Torgorm HSMR – NH55SE 21 NMRS – NH55SE 19 Grid Ref: NH 5598/5454 Type – Hut Circle Noted in HSMR and NMRS of ‘Monitoring of the Inverness-Dingwall gas pipeline revealed a group of stone-packed postholes which may mark the site of a round house. A clay crucible was found nearby’. Site is not visible on any aerial photographs studied 1946-67. Walkover reveals no trace of site, grass field only. Site lies near knoll in field. No recommendations to be made. 2 – Torgorm HSMR – NH55SE 44 NMRS – NH55SE 33 Grid Ref: NH 562/546 Type – Farmstead Noted in HSMR and NMRS of ‘A farmstead comprising 1 partially roofed building, and an enclosure, 3 small buildings, one of which is unroofed is depicted on the 1st edition OS (Ross & Cromarty, 1881, sheet 88). They are not shown on the current OS 1:10,000 sheet (1992)’. 3 roofed buildings are depicted on the 2nd edition OS of 1907. Nothing visible on aerial photograph of 1946 (RAF 106G/Scot/UK 114/3066) or 1954 (F22/ 58/RAF/1424/225) and 1962 (F22-58/RAF5391/74) or 1967 (OS/67/082/84). Walkover reveals no trace of site, grass field only. Recommend watching brief in this area. 3 – Torgorm HSMR – NH55SE 45 NMRS – NH55SE 34 Grid Ref: NH 5640/5457 Type – Farmstead Noted in HSMR and NMRS of ‘A farmstead comprising 2 unroofed buildings is depicted on the 1st edition OS (Ross & Cromarty, 1881, sheet 88). They are not shown on the current OS 1:10,000 sheet (1992)’. Not shown on the 2nd edition OS of 1907. Nothing visible on aerial photograph of 1946 (RAF 106G/Scot/UK 114/3066) and 1954 (F22/ 58/RAF/1424/225) and 1962 (F22-58/RAF5391/74). Length of wall visible 1967 (OS/67/082/84). Walkover reveals mound of stones visible, access not possible due to livestock. No recommendations to be made. 4 – Easter Kinkell HSMR – NH55NE 67 NMRS – NH55NE 40 Grid Ref: NH 565/552 Type – Farmstead Noted in HSMR and NMRS of ‘A farmstead comprising 1 partially roofed building, with an attached and 1 unroofed building next to an enclosure shown as a pecked line is depicted on the 1st edition OS (Ross & Cromarty, 1881, sheet 88). They are not shown on the current OS 1:10,000 sheet (1992)’. Dotted line of enclosure is shown on the 2nd edition OS of 1907. Area of rough ground visible on aerial photograph of 1946 (RAF 106G/Scot/UK 114/3064) and 1954 (F22/ 58/RAF/1424/225) and 1962 (F22-58/RAF5391/74) or 1967 (OS/67/082/84). Walkover reveals only rough ground. No recommendations to be made. 5 – Duncanston HSMR – N/a NMRS – N/a Grid Ref: NH 5878/5661 Type – Building, Well Roofed rectangular building depicted on 1st edition OS (sheet 88), marked as partially roofed on 2nd edition OS of 1907 with well to E. Only part of building depicted on 1:10,000 of 1992 (NH55NE) and latest OS. Unroofed rectangular building in area of rough ground visible on aerial photograph of 1946 (RAF 106G/Scot/UK 114/3062) and 1954 (F22/ 58/RAF/1424/221). Not visible due to trees for 1962 (F21/58/RAF/5391/96). Walkover reveals no trace of site, grass field only. Recommend that new route lie close to road. 6 – Torgorm HSMR – N/a NMRS – N/a Grid Ref: NH 5628/5429 Type – Building Roofed rectangular building depicted on 1st edition OS (sheet 88), marked as partially roofed on 2nd edition OS of 1907 with well to E. Only part of building depicted on latest OS. Area of rough ground visible on aerial photograph of 1946 (RAF 106G/Scot/UK 114/3066) and 1954 (F22/ 58/RAF/1424/225). Unroofed rectangular building visible 1962 (F22- 58/RAF5391/74) and 1967 (OS/67/082/84). Walkover reveals ploughed field only, no trace of building. No recommendations to be made. Section C – D – NH 8125/5745 to NH 7977/5531 The following 30 archaeological sites were to be found close to the existing pipeline (existing pipeline is highlighted in red on the relevant maps with sites numbered). Sites are as follows: 1 – Mid Culbo HSMR – NH66SW 6 NMRS – NH66SW 6 Grid Ref: NH 6429/6107 Type – Clearance cairn Noted in HSMR and NMRS of ‘This is probably a field clearance heap. It is of irregular outline, averaging about 15’ in diameter and 4’ high (Woodham 1956). This is an irregular, grass and whin covered small mound, situated at top of E bank of a stream in an area of rough gorse and not far from cultivated ground. It has neither the appearance or topographical position of a cairn, and is probably natural as there is little or no stony content to the mound (OS 1966)’. Not visible due to trees on aerial photograph of 1946 (RAF CPE/Scot/UK 184/3300) and 1962 (F21 58/RAF/5391/140) and 1972 (OS/72/126/97). Walkover reveals no trace of site due to dense undergrowth. Recommend care to be taken in this area. 2 – Culbo HSMR – NH66SW 37 NMRS – NH66SW 20 Grid Ref: NH 6437/6115 Type – Farmstead Noted in HSMR and NMRS of ‘A farmstead comprising 1 unroofed building attached to a length of field-wall and a roofed building is depicted on the 1st edition OS (Ross & Cromarty, 1880, sheet 77). The roofed building is shown as unroofed on the current OS 1:10,000 sheet (1991)’. Same buildings depicted on 2nd edition OS of 1907. Unroofed rectangular building visible on aerial photograph of 1946 (RAF CPE/Scot/UK 184/3300) and 1962 (F21 58/RAF/5391/140) and 1972 (OS/72/126/97). Walkover reveals rectangular building at NH 64373/61136 5.5m x 12m with addition at east end 5.5m x 4m with walls 0.5m wide and up to 0.5m high. Recommend that site be avoided. Below: View of site facing E. 3 – Culbo HSMR – N/a NMRS – N/a Grid Ref: NH 6436/6122 Type – Dam Triangle area with 2 sluices depicted on 1st edition OS, marked as ‘Dam’ on 2nd edition OS. Not marked on latest. Section of lade runs to NH 64401/61463. In-filled triangle shaped area visible on aerial photograph of 1946 (RAF CPE/Scot/UK 184/3300) as rough ground 1962 (F21 58/RAF/5391/140) and 1972 (OS/72/126/97).