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 Report on Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, Walk Over Survey and Trial Excavation at Dalfaber Farm, Aviemore For LDG-Grampian Soil Surveys (UK) Ltd on behalf of Reidhaven Estates Highland Heritage is run by Dr Harry Robinson BA MA PhD MIFA FSA Scot. Tel: 01320 351272 email [email protected] CONTENTS 1 SUMMARY 2 THE SURVEY STRATEGY 2.1 Terms of Reference Illustration 1 Site Location 2.2 Aims and objectives 2.3 Desk-based Assessment 2.4 Cartographic History Illustration 2 maps 1, 2, 3 2.5 Aerial Photographs 2.6 Previous Work 2.7 Walk-over survey and photographic record 2.8 Trial Trenching Illustration 3 Site Plan 3 THE PRESENT LANDSCAPE AND ENVIRONMENT 3.1 Topography 3.2 Geology 3.3 Soils and landuse 4 THE SETTLEMENT HISTORY, ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Archaeological Gazetteer 5 BIBLIOGRAPHY 6 RECOMMENDATIONS Appendix I Photograph Register Appendix II Project specification prepared by the Highland Council Planning and Development Service Archaeology Unit Page 1 of 2 1 SUMMARY A housing development is proposed on an area of heath, woodland and rough pasture which once was part of Dalfaber Farm near Aviemore. As part of The Highland Council’s planning procedure an archaeological assessment and sampling trenching were required to allow the applicants to meet planning guidelines. To assess any possible impact of this development on the archaeological resource, the author was commissioned by LDG-Grampian Soil Surveys (UK) Ltd. to conduct the survey in August 2004. From this investigation it is my considered opinion that no archaeological remains are at risk in this area and no further work is required to satisfy planning requirements. 2 THE SURVEY STRATEGY 2.1 Terms of Reference A brief for this scheme was produced by The Highland Council Archaeological Unit for LDG-Grampian Soil Surveys (UK) Ltd. who are responsible for the work including contractual arrangements. It was based on documents supplied at the time it was issued: it specified the scope and standard of the required work, the areas of responsibility, objectives, method, monitoring and reporting arrangements (copy Appendix II). The area covered by this evaluation is only “the land to the north of the former Dalfaber Farm” centred on NGR NH 9065 1365 (illustration 1 page 3) including any proposed services, access roads, works compounds, borrow pits or other ancillary works. Highland Heritage agreed a timetable for the work with the client and the Highland Council Archaeology Unit before the start of site works. The evaluation consisted of an initial desk-based assessment and walkover survey in which all features were photographed and plotted on a suitable scale plan, keyed by means of Grid References to the Ordnance Survey mapping. A 1:1,000 scale plan was provided by LDG-Grampian Soil Surveys (UK) Ltd. for this purpose and provided guidance for trial trenching of a sample 5% of the site: a full annotated copy (showing landscape features and suitable areas for sampling) is enclosed in the Highland Council’s copy of this report. This Report sets out the results of the work: there are no proposed arrangements for the safeguarding or recording of any objects or features and no further archaeological fieldwork will is needed. Dr Harry Robinson MIFA is responsible for producing this report and for making sure copies have been received by the specified recipients. Page 2 of 2 As set in the project specification prepared by the Highland Council Planning and Devel- opment Service Archaeology Unit (Appendix II) the objective was : - to identify the location, nature and extent of any features or objects of archaeological importance that would be damaged or destroyed by this project; to assess the likelihood of buried as well as surface remains, and indicate any areas of particular sensitivity; - to propose arrangements for the safeguarding where possible (or recording where necessary) of any archaeological features or finds identified: all arrangements to be agreed by the Senior Archaeologist before the start of site clearance works; - to ensure that the needs for archaeological conservation and recording are met without causing any unnecessary delay or disturbance to the project. This enquiry examines the patterning of the historical and archaeological landscape in order to identify areas of archaeological significance. Although the recorded archaeology within the development area is limited, there is important archaeology in the surrounding area suggesting a potential for unrecorded sub-surface sites and remains within the development area which could be damaged or destroyed. Therefore, in line with The National Planning Policy Guideline on Archaeology and Planning (NPPG5) an archaeological evaluation was required in advance of determination of planning permission to allow an informed decision to be made on the likely impact of the proposal on the nature and extent of the potential archaeological/historical heritage of the area. This will allow mitigation measures to be intro- duced as necessary into any design proposal ensuring that any archaeology on site is identi- fied and recorded with minimum delay or disruption to the development, avoiding and preserving such features wherever possible or, if impracticable, ensuring they are recorded and possibly excavated by a qualified archaeologist before they are damaged or destroyed (preservation by record). NPPG 5 stipulates that because of their extent, certain construction activities will have significant consequences for archaeological remains: this is reflected in the Confederation of British Industry Archaeological Investigations Code of Practice in Scotland by which all parties involved in development should regard archaeological sites and landscapes as a finite, highly fragile resource vulnerable to damage and destruction. Because not all archaeo- logical remains are of equal importance, three main thresholds of significance are recognised in the Guideline (NPPG 5, paras 15-31): A) Sites of National Importance: comprising sites protected by scheduling under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act, 1979, Section 2, or as listed buildings designated under the Town and Country Planning legislation, and sites of “schedulable quality”. There are no Scheduled Monuments that will be effected by this development. B) Sites of Regional and Local importance: which do not merit scheduling but which Page 4 of 20 have significance within a local context. This may reflect their importance to local history, or they may be the only local example of a widespread monument type. The Ancient Monuments legislation makes provision for local authorities to protect such sites, although they cannot be scheduled other than by central government. There are no Sites of Regional and Local importance that will be effected by this development. C) Other sites of Lesser Importance: which may comprise component parts of a landscape rich in archaeological monuments, and thereby gain greater significance. There are sites of Lesser Importance that will be effected by this development (see section 4). 2.3 Desk-based Assessment: An initial analysis of all relevant archaeological records was made to determine the chrono- logical extent, quality, distribution and characteristics of settlement and landuse, and the nature and extent of factors that might mask or distort the pattern of historical or archaeologi- cal remains surviving within the development area. This research was structured to provide the basis for any informed mitigation strategies for the proposed area of development and for any theoretical working model explaining the processes determining the temporal and spatial patterning of any historical and archaeological remain. The results are reported in section 4 below. The relevant archaeological/historical records, maps and aerial photographs included: - The Highland Council Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) and aerial photographic collection in Inverness - The National Monuments Record of Scotland (NMRS) aerial photographic collection in Edinburgh - The Map Library of the National Library of Scotland Internet site - The Highland Council Reference Library and Archives in Inverness - Historic Scotland in Edinburgh - I wish to thank the staff of these organisations for their kind help and valuable advice. 2.4 Cartographic History Page 5 of 20 Early maps (pre-1800): Blaeu, J., 1654, ‘Braid-Allaban, Atholia, Marria Svperior, Badenocha, Strath-Spea, Lochabria’ (Plate 31) : shows ‘Avimor’ and ‘Bulladern’ with ‘Kinchardy’ further north Pont, T., c.1583-1601, ‘All Straspey in Mapp' (Pont 6) amended (by Gordon?) : shows ‘Auvimoir’ in two places with Belladyirin’ or ‘Belladyr’ nearby. ‘Kyinchardy’ is also shown. Gordon, R., 1636-52, ‘Aberdeen, Banf, Murrey &c. to Inverness: [and] Fra the north water to Ross’ (Gordon 25); A detailed map including Glenmore (Gordon 5). : shows the same sites as Gordon’s map on which it is based, ‘Avimor’ ‘Bulladern’ and ‘Kinchardy’ Moll, H., 1745, ‘The Shires of Moray and Nairn’ : shows nothing between ‘Avymoir’ and ‘Kinchurdie’. Roy, W., 1747-55 Military Survey, Sheets 26/4, 27/2. : shows settlements at ‘Dallifaber’ and ‘Dell of Grainess’ with rig and furrow around them. A road leads from the Inverness road north-eastwards through Strathspey. See map