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Highland Archaeology Services Ltd Bringing the Past and Future Together

Archaeological Walk-over Survey

Langwell Glen Canaird, Highland

7 Duke Street Cromarty Ross-shire IV11 8YH

Tel / Fax: 01381 600491 Mobile: 07834 693378 Email: [email protected] Web: www.hi-arch.co.uk Registered in Scotland no. 262144 Registered Office: 10 Knockbreck Street, Tain, Ross-shire IV19 1BJ VAT No. GB 838 7358 80

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Langwell Walk-over survey June 2013

Archaeological Walk-over Survey

Langwell Glen Canaird, Highland

Report No. HAS130607

Site Code HAS-LGL13

Client DHG Hydro

Planning Ref N/A

OS Grid Refs NH 21143 02618; NH 21075 02169; NH 18909 01905

Date/ revision 27/08/2013

Authors Lachlan Mckeggie & John Wood

Summary

An archaeological walk-over survey was undertaken to inform plans for construction of a hydro-electric schemes at Langwell, Glen Canaird, Highland. Seven archaeological features were identified during the survey, but none are likely to be directly affected by construction or subsequent maintenance work .

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Contents Aims and objectives ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Location ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 Legislation and Policy ................................................................................................................................... 6 Archaeology background / Desk Based Assessment .................................................................................... 6 Walk-over Survey ......................................................................................................................................... 7 Conclusions and Recommendations ........................................................................................................... 11 Appendix 1: Photographs ............................................................................................................................ 12

Illustrations Figure 1 Location ......................................................................................................................................... 4 Figure 2 Proposed development as supplied by client ................................................................................. 5 Figure 3: Section from 1st edition 6 inch (1:10560) OS map, Surveyed 1875. ............................................. 7 Figure 4: Feature 1-7 locations ..................................................................................................................... 8 Figure 5: Camera points .............................................................................................................................. 14 Plate 1: Feature 1 Sheepfold/ Fank ............................................................................................................... 9 Plate 2: Feature 3 Footbridge ........................................................................................................................ 9 Plate 3: Feature 5 Shieling Hut ................................................................................................................... 10 Plate 4: Feature 4 Dam ................................................................................................................................ 12

Acknowledgements Background mapping has been reproduced by permission of the Ordnance Survey under Licence 100043217. Historic mapping is courtesy of the National Library of Scotland.

Aims and objectives x To determine as far as possible the character, extent, condition, date and significance of any

archaeologically significant remains; and to record these where necessary in line with national and local policies and standards.

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

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Location The proposed run-of-river hydro-electric scheme is proposed at Langwell, Glen Canaird, Highland (intakes at NH 21143 02618, at about 182m above sea level and NH 21075 02169 about 184m above sea level). The scheme runs down the River Canaird to an outlet in to the same river at NH 18909 01905 at around 59m above sea level.

Figure 1 Location From OS mapping, reproduced under Licence. Not to original scale

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Figure 2 Proposed development (as supplied by client)

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Langwell Hydro-Electric Scheme: Walk-over Survey June 2013

Legislation and Policy

The common principles underlying international conventions, national legislation and local authority planning policies are that cultural heritage assets should be identified in advance of development and safeguarded where practicable; if disturbance is unavoidable appropriate recording of features and recovery of portable artefacts should take place. These have been set out in international and European Union agreements, and UK and Scottish legislation, as well as national and local planning policies1.

Professional standards during the present project were secured by adherence to the Codes of Conduct and Approved Practice and Standards of the Institute for Archaeologists and the Highland Council’s published Standards for Archaeological Work.

Archaeology background / Desk Based Assessment The proposed development is a hydro-electric scheme in Langwell, Glen Canaird, Highland. The planned location of the intake, penstock routes and turbine house are shown in Figure 2 above. Relevant archaeological / historical records, maps and aerial photographs were checked and the following features noted. The Highland Historic Environment Record (HHER) notes only one feature within the proposed development area. This is an undated farmstead, visible on the 1st edition Ordinance survey 6 inch (1:10560) map, surveyed in 1875 (See Figure 3). HHER ID: MHG18546 Grid Reference: NC 18500 02200

Description: A farmstead comprising four unroofed buildings and an enclosure, and cultivated ground on both banks of the River Canaird, are depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Cromartyshire 1881, sheet viii). One roofed building and some field walls are shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10,000 map (1992).

Information from RCAHMS (SAH) 27 September 1995

Historical maps of the area were also consulted and one other feature was identified: a ‘fank’ or sheepfold visible on both the 1st edition and modern maps, close to the river. No additional features were identified by the desk-based study.

1 A full statement of current legislation and public policy is available from the Highland Archaeology Services office on request.

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Figure 3: Section from 1st edition 6 inch to 1 mile (1:10560) OS map, Surveyed 1875.

Ross-shire & Cromartyshire (Mainland), Sheet VIII Not reproduced to scale

It was concluded that two features, the farmstead and sheepfold might be affected by the development and would require further investigation on the ground

Walk-over Survey The survey was undertaken on 14th June 2013 the weather was warm with sunshine and occasional light showers. The proposed intake location, penstock route, turbine site and access track were walked and carefully inspected for signs of archaeological or other cultural heritage features, including any potential for buried evidence. General photographs of the area surveyed were taken to show the area before development. Cultural heritage features were noted and recorded with digital photography. Eight features (F1-8) were identified and recorded; these are are listed below. Feature 1: (NC 18846 02003; see Plate 1) A large dry stone sheepfold with large area on the NW side and smaller divisions on the SW side is depicted on the modern OS map close to the river. This was found to be a well constructed feature constructed from flat local stone in double skinned walls and vertical stone wall heads. It survived to a height of 1.5m in places but was reduced down to 0.1m particularly on NW side. There are some small internal features such as wooden gateposts and a small lintel passage from the large NW area into the smaller S area. There is also evidence of later phases and added walls, particularly a central wall running at 45 degrees into the central area. This feature is the ‘Fank’ identified in the desk-based assessment.

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Figure 4: Feature 1-7 locations

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Plate 1: Feature 1 Sheepfold/ Fank

Plate 2: Feature 3 Footbridge

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Feature 2: (NC 20976 02627) Possible route of old track running off the current one and through a small cutting/ cleared area across a burn. Feature 3: (NC 21073 02662; Plate 2) Old footbridge constructed of iron girders, wooden planks, metal and wooden uprights and a wooden balustrade. Crosses the Garbh-allt close to the intake area between two rocky outcrops, around 5m above the water. Feature 4: (NC 21137 02616) Dry stone dam constructed of both very large stones and small ones, all of them local. This feature is recorded on the modern OS mapping. It is around 22m across and 3m wide. This structure does not hold water and its purpose is not immediately clear. It does not appear to be a causeway or boundary.

Plate 3: Feature 5 Shieling Hut (front and back)

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Feature 5: (NC 20887 02648) Small dry stone sub-rectangular structure 2m x 3m, with a low entrance on the south side. Built just under the slope to the north of the current and proposed track. It is rounded at the back, apparently built up against a large boulder that forms the back wall. It is currently roofless, although it appears to have had a rounded roof originally, either of turf or stone now missing. Max wall height 1.3m, width 1m. This appears to be a shieling, but it is worth noting the small size of this building, particularly the doorway, which is less than a metre high and an internal area barely big enough to lie down in. Feature 6: (NC 20898 02646) A low round tumble of stones in a rough circle or sub-rectangle, just SE of F5. Around 4m in diameter consisting a single course of large stones, probably the footings for a structure similar to F5. Feature 7: (NC 20910 02645) Ephemeral ring of moss and grass covered, medium sized stones, probably representing a structure. Close to Feature 6 and 5, indicating this may have been a previous generation of a similar small shieling-type building. Around 4m in diameter, and surviving on 2 sides. Feature 8: (NC 18052 02634) Low tumbled dry stone wall curving away from accesses track. Max height 0.2m max with 0.6m becoming increasingly ephemeral towards modern track.

Conclusions and Recommendations The proposed penstock pipe-run and access track are generally clear of significant upstanding archaeological features. Although the seven features above were identified, there are only three areas where we recommend further fieldwork if they cannot be avoided (Features 1, 3 and 5-7). Feature 1: Sheepfold. It is recommended that this structure is not disturbed during work which should be possible if the proposed track running close by does not extend to the NE of the current fence. The fence forms a sufficient indication of the area to avoid so flagging or fencing is not proposed, but if an expansion of the track is made in this direction, further recording should take place before this work begins. Feature 2: Cutting. No further work is proposed for this feature. Feature3: Bridge. This structure should not be affected by proposed work. If removal is necessary for any reason, a more detailed photographic record is recommended. Feature 4: Dam. As this feature has been recorded in its current state, photographs have been taken and the feature appears to be modern, no further fieldwork is recommended. Feature 5-7: These three features are of cultural heritage significance and should be avoided by the proposed development. Under the current proposal this should not be a problem, but if design changes are made that might affect these structures further recording including excavation will be needed. Feature 8: Although one end of this wall is close to the current track, no further fieldwork is proposed unless this route way is significantly widened or moved to the north. In addition to the route of the pipe and access track the area of the farmstead recorded on the HHER (MHG18546) was also walked. There is uneven ground here, no clear evidence of these structures visible

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on the ground at this location. The proposed development should not affect this area, but as a precaution, vehicles and other plant should take care to avoid it altogether during construction work. Assuming the proposed development remains within the footprint proposed, only Features 1 and 3 are likely to be affected. These should be avoided if at all possible.

Plate 4: Feature 4 Dam

Appendix 1: Photographs Locations of photographs (‘Camera Points) are shown in Figure 5 below. Photo No. From Facing Showing

1-10 CP1 - General view from W end of site 11 CP2 SE General view showing modern house and sheepfold F1 12 CP3 N Entrance F1 13 CP4 N Lintel inside F1 14 CP5 S Lintel within F1 from inside 15 CP5 E Features at centre of F1

16-18 CP6 -E- F1 from W corner 19 - SW Central area F1 20 CP7 NW F1 from above

21-26 CP8 - Panorama of route 27 CP9 E Route 28 CP10 E Route 29 CP10 W Route 30 CP11 E Dear 31 CP12 W Route

32-36 CP13 - Panorama of Route 37-40 CP14 - Panorama of Route

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41 CP15 NE Route 42 CP15 SE Route 43 CP16 E River 44 CP17 E F2 Possible cutting 45 CP18 W F2 Possible cutting 46 CP19 E Foot bridge F3 47 - E Foot bridge F3 48 CP20 SE Dry stone dam feature F4 49 - SW View across dam F4 50 - NE View across dam F4 51 - W Dam F4 52 Ford NE Bridge F3 53 CP21 N Dry stone structure F5 54 CP22 S Dry stone structure F5 55 CP23 S Dry stone structure F6 from above 56 CP24 N Possible ephemeral structure F7 57 CP25 S Possible ephemeral structure F7 58 - - Stag 59 CP26 W General view 60 CP26 S F1 from high roads

61-63 CP27 SW Area with buildings on 1sted 64 CP28 W Lump possibly related to 1st ed map 65 CP29 NW Old dry stone field boundary now very tumbled running NW-SE

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Figure 5: Camera points

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