© AOC Archaeology Group 2016 Proposed film set at Gorteneorn, Ardnamurchan Archaeological Walkover Survey Report AOC 70103 4 February 2016 © AOC Archaeology Group 2016 Proposed Film Set at Gorteneorn, Ardnamurchan Archaeological Walkover Survey On Behalf of: Keo Films Planning reference: 15-04743-FUL National Grid Reference (NGR): NM 62662 69229 AOC Project No: 70103 Prepared by: S.Williamson, C. MacIver, M. Peteranna Illustrations by: C.MacIver, M.Peteranna Date of Fieldwork: 03/02/2016 Date of Report: 04/02/2016 This document has been prepared in accordance with AOC standard operating procedures. Authors: S Williamson, C MacIver, M Peteranna Date: 04/02/2016 Approved by: M Peteranna Date: 05/02/2016 Enquiries to: AOC Archaeology Group Ardyne Studio Bank Street Cromarty IV11 8YE Tel. 01381 600650 Mob. 07972 259255 E‐mail [email protected] © AOC Archaeology Group 2016 Contents Page List of illustrations .............................................................................................................................................................. 4 List of plates ........................................................................................................................................................................ 4 List of appendices ............................................................................................................................................................... 4 Abstract ................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Project Background ............................................................................................................................................................ 6 Character of the Study Area ............................................................................................................................................... 6 Desk-based Assessment .................................................................................................................................................... 6 Aims of the Survey ............................................................................................................................................................ 11 Survey Methodology ......................................................................................................................................................... 11 Results ................................................................................................................................................................................ 12 Recommendations ............................................................................................................................................................ 18 References ......................................................................................................................................................................... 20 70103: Temporary Change of Forestry to Film Set at Gorteneorn, Ardnamurchan, Archaeological Survey Report List of illustrations Figure 1: Location of the proposed film set Figure 2: 2012 aerial image showing the survey area and sites Figure 2: Extract from OS 6-inch 1st edition, Argyllshire, Sheet XVI (with inset of sheet XVIa) (includes: Ardnamurchan; Arisaig And Moidart), Survey date: 1872, Publication date: 1875 Figure 3: Extract from OS 6-inch 1st edition, showing the buildings at Creag an Aisig Figure 4: Extract from OS 6-inch 2nd edition, Argyll and Bute Sheet XVIa.SW & XVI.NW (includes: Ardnamurchan; Arisaig and Moidart), Publication date: 1900, Date revised: 1897 List of plates Plate 1: General view of the dunes at Cul na Croise Bay Plate 2: Site 1, area of WW2 activity Plate 3: Site 2, area of WW2 activity Plate 4: Site 4, area of WW2 activity and some prehistoric lithic findspots Plate 5: Site 5, focus of prehistoric activity and lithic findspots Plate 6: Site 5, multiple old ground surfaces visible in section Plate 7: Selection of lithic finds from site 5 Plate 8: Selection of quartz tools from site 5 Plate 9: Selection of metal fragments from site 5 Plate 10: Site 6, spread of old ground surface visible eroding out of section Plate 11: Selection of lithic finds from site 6 List of appendices Appendix 1: List of Surface Finds Appendix 2: List of Survey Photographs © AOC Archaeology 2016 | PAGE 4 OF 22 | www.aocarchaeology.com/inverness 70103: Temporary Change of Forestry to Film Set at Gorteneorn, Ardnamurchan, Archaeological Survey Report Abstract This report details the results of an archaeological desk-based assessment and walkover survey at the Gorteneorn promontory, Ardnamurchan, where there is a proposed development to temporarily change the use of an area of forestry to a film set. The survey and desk-based assessment were undertaken in February 2016. Six areas were identified containing archaeological material, four of which were of significant archaeological interest. Due to the nature of the film project, which is designed specifically to be non-invasive, the site is not being treated as a normal planning condition with regards to mitigation. It has been recommended that measures are put in place by the client to ensure any uncovered archaeological material is handled in accordance with professional archaeological standards. A recommendation has also been made for the assessment by a lithics specialist of the present recovered material. © AOC Archaeology 2016 | PAGE 5 OF 22 | www.aocarchaeology.com/inverness 70103: Temporary Change of Forestry to Film Set at Gorteneorn, Ardnamurchan, Archaeological Survey Report Introduction 1. An archaeological desk-based assessment and walkover survey was carried out in February 2016 on behalf of Keo Films in advance of the temporary change of forestry land to film set at Gorteneorn, Ardnamurchan (Highland Council planning reference 15-04743-FUL). The aim of the survey was to identify and assess the nature and extent of any archaeology likely to be directly affected by the proposed development in order to inform recommendations for the protection and management of any sites identified. Six areas containing archaeological material were recorded, four of which were prehistoric in date and of significant archaeological interest. Project Background 2. The development area is a forested promontory and coastline directly west of Kentra Bay, Ardnamurchan (Figure 1). It is approximately 3 miles west of Acharacle and is centred on NM 62662 69229. The film contributors identified two areas that are likely to be used for settlement during filming, in the dunes to the east and south east of Cul na Croise bay, on the west of the promontory. The walkover survey focused primarily on this area. Character of the Study Area 3. The landscape situation of the survey area comprises a forested promontory and coastline of rocky outcrops and sandy beaches. The underlying bedrock geology comprises a mix of pelite from the Morar Schist Formation, Semipelite, Schistose and Granofels from the Morar group and psammite from the Lower Morar Psammite Formation (BGS 2016). The known overlying geology is marine rich deposits and windblown sands, with areas of peat also found in the south west of the survey area (BGS 2016). The Historic Land Use Assessment (RCHAMS 2016) suggests post-medieval agricultural and settlement evidence at Gortenfern to the southwest of the survey area. Traditional land use on the Gorteneorn promontory is not recorded but it may have been used for rough grazing and the utilisation of peat. 4. The Gorteneorn promontory is predominantly forested, with the presence of small hills, including Torr Beithe and Creag an Fhradhairc and a number of small streams, which flow northwest to the sea. The northwest coast of the promontory is rugged with rocky outcrops and sandy beaches. The area highlighted for survey was the dunes to the east and south east of Cul na Croise. Desk-based Assessment 5. A desk-based assessment was conducted prior to commencement of the survey in order to assess the archaeological potential of the area based on previously recorded sites and any historical documentation. A full check of all available historical and archaeological records, aerial photographs and historical maps was conducted using the Highland Historic Environment Record (HHER), the National Monuments Record of Scotland (NMRS) on the Canmore database, the National Library of Scotland online maps resources, statistical accounts and other available records, literary sources or online resources about the site. 6. The Gorteneorn promontory falls within the civil parish of Ardnamurchan and has a long history of occupation, with evidence from the Mesolithic, Bronze Age and post-medieval periods being found on the promontory. Two battles, one from the Norse period and the other from the late 13th century, are also recorded as having taken place in the bays around the promontory. The Old and New Statistical Accounts of Scotland do not specifically mention Gorteneorn, but the New Account does mention a number of caves on the Ardnamurchan coastline, some of which were associated with archaeological finds. One of the caves was described as a place where sick people could go to ‘drink of the water there’ and