Wardlaw Church, Kirkhill

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Highland Archaeology Services Ltd Bringing the Past and Future Together

Wardlaw Church, Kirkhill

Archaeological Evaluation (Controlled Topsoil Strip)

Wardlaw Church, Kirkhill – Archaeological Evaluation May 2014

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Wardlaw Church, Kirkhill

Archaeological Evaluation (Controlled Topsoil Strip)

Report No. HAS140505

Site Code WKH14

Client William Dennison

Planning Ref 10/03013/PIP

OS Grid Ref NH 55297 45467

Date/ revision 13/06/14

Author Lachlan Mckeggie

Summary An Archaeological evaluation was undertaken on the site of a new house development just behind Wardlaw Church, off Wardlaw Road, Kirkhill, Highland. The evaluation took place over five days between 7th and 13th May 2014. Eight features were encountered, including the footings of a stone built structure which had not previously been identified. All features were recorded and details are given below. No further archaeological investigation is recommended for this site.


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Contents Aims and objectives ....................................................................................................................................................... 4 Location .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Legislation and Policy .................................................................................................................................................... 7 Background .................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Desk Based Assessment ................................................................................................................................................. 7 Controlled Topsoil Strip ................................................................................................................................................. 7 Conclusions and Recommendations ............................................................................................................................. 22

Finds Photographs .................................................................................................................................................... 23 Table of Features ...................................................................................................................................................... 24 Table of Contexts ..................................................................................................................................................... 24 Table of Drawings .................................................................................................................................................... 25 Table of Photographs ............................................................................................................................................... 25

Illustrations Figure 1 Project location (general) ................................................................................................................................ 5 Figure 2: Proposed Development Layout ....................................................................................................................... 6 Figure 3: Excavated Area ............................................................................................................................................... 8 Figure 4: Feature layout (also see Figure 5) ................................................................................................................... 8 Figure 5: Feature 1 and surrounding features Plan (Drawing 3) .................................................................................... 9 Figure 6: Feature 2, N.E. facing section (Drawing 1), located on Figure 4 ................................................................. 14 Figure 7: Feature 3, West facing section ...................................................................................................................... 16 Figure 8: Features 1 & 6, SSW facing section (Drawing 5) ........................................................................................ 19 Figure 9: Feature 7, SSW facing section (Drawing 4) ................................................................................................. 19 Figure 10: Camera Points ............................................................................................................................................. 26 Plate 1: Site Prior to Excavation .................................................................................................................................... 4 Plate 2: Ceramic material from (007) (Find 2) ............................................................................................................. 10 Plate 2: Feature 1 with (007) in foreground (WKH14_128) ........................................................................................ 11 Plate 3: Feature 1 showing wall (010) abutting wall (008) .......................................................................................... 12 Plate 5: Virtual ‘Aerial’ photo of Feature 1, created using 3D modelling software. ................................................... 13 Plate 6: Feature 2 Field Drain (WKH14_039) ............................................................................................................. 14 Plate 7: Feature 3 Dry stone wall (WKH13_62) .......................................................................................................... 15 Plate 8: Feature 4 Pipeline (WKH14_69) .................................................................................................................... 17 Plate 9: Feature 6 (drain), running under Feature 1 (structure) (WKH14_88) ............................................................ 18 Plate 10: Feature 7 cut by Feature 5 (WKH14_183) .................................................................................................... 20 Plate 11: Feature 8 as exposed and pipe section (WKH14_64, 66&67) ...................................................................... 21 Plate 12: Feature 1, Structure (WKH14_99) ................................................................................................................ 22 Plate 13: Metal Fittings from Topsoil around Feature 1 .............................................................................................. 23 Plate 14: Selected sample of glazed ceramics from topsoil around Feature 1 ............................................................. 23


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Acknowledgements Fieldwork was carried out by Lynne Mckeggie and Lachlan Mckeggie; this report was edited by John Wood. Special thanks to members of Wardlaw Church of Scotland who provided both local knowledge and very fine baking to sustain us on site. Background mapping has been reproduced by permission of the Ordnance Survey under Licence 100043217. Project drawings are reproduced courtesy of the client. The report’s author and Highland Archaeology Services Ltd jointly hold author’s copyright in all reports produced but will allow the client, the Highland Council and the RCAHMS to make the report available for reference and research (but not commercial) purposes, either on paper, or electronically, without charge, provided this copyright is acknowledged.

Aims and objectives The objectives of the work reported here were to: • Examine and establish the nature and extent of any features of archaeological significance that would

be affected by the proposed development, and to record these to professional standards, in line with current legislation and policy

• Minimise any possible delay or cost 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.

Plate 1: Site Prior to Excavation


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Location The proposed development is located just behind Wardlaw Church, Kirkhill, Highland, centred at approximate OS Grid reference NH 5529 4546.

Figure 1 Project location (general) From OS mapping, reproduced under Licence. Not to original scales


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Figure 2: Proposed Development Layout


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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 will be secured by adherence to the Codes of Conduct and Approved Practice and Standards of the Institute for Archaeologists and the Highland Council’s Standards for Archaeological Work.

Background The proposed development is the construction of a single house NE of Wardlaw Church, Kirkhill. Archaeology on the site was carried out to meet planning conditions specified by the Highland Council Planning and Development Service’s Historic Environment Team, (ref 10/03013/PIP). All work was in accordance with a project design and method statement agreed in advance by all parties 2. An area nearby was investigated by Headland Archaeology in 2006 ahead of a larger housing development but no archaeology was found there3.

Desk Based Assessment A desk-based assessment of the known archaeology within 1km of the site was undertaken before starting fieldwork. Sixteen sites were identified although only two of these were close to the present development area and none were within it. None would be affected directly by the development.

Controlled Topsoil Strip A controlled topsoil strip and archaeological evaluation of the site was undertaken between 7th and 13th May 2014. This involved stripping all the areas of the site that are to be developed, including the driveway, house site and garage plot (Figure 3). Eight features were encountered and recorded: details of each are given below. Of particular note were the footings of a stone built structure (Feature 1) in the NE part of the site. This has not been identified on any historic mapping and was not known by locals.

1 A summary of relevant international, EU, UK and Scottish legislation and policies is available from the Highland Archaeology Services office on request. 2 Mckeggie L. 2014 ‘Wardlaw Church, Kirkhill – Evaluation: PD & RAMS (HAS140103)’ Cromarty, Highland Archaeology 2 Mckeggie L. 2014 ‘Wardlaw Church, Kirkhill – Evaluation: PD & RAMS (HAS140103)’ Cromarty, Highland Archaeology Services. 3 Hatherley C. 2006 ‘Land Adjacent to Wardlaw Church, Kirkhill, Invernessshire, Archaeological Evaluation Data Structure Report’ Edinburgh, Hedland Archaeology Ltd.


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Figure 3: Excavated Area

Figure 4: Feature layout (also see Figure 5)


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Figure 5: Feature 1 and surrounding features Plan (Drawing 3)


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Weather during fieldwork varied from heavy rain and hail showers to clear and sunny. The site was stripped in two passes, first removing turf across the area and then taking off the topsoil down to the top of the subsoil. All areas were examined and photographed, and some, particularly along the south side, were then backfilled immediately after stripping. Feature 1: (Plate 3, Plate 4, Plate 5, Figure 5)

This feature consisted of a series of stone wall footings with mortar bonding surviving up to two courses high in places. Five separate walls were recorded, some with very clear stratigraphic relationships, while others were less clear. These were recorded as five archaeological contexts. The longest wall ran along the East trench edge. This was around 7m long running NE/SW (007), and about 0.4m wide. It was of a double-skinned construction with flat outer faces and a small rubble core, over a base or foundation course of mainly large stones stretching the whole width of the wall. It survived up to 3 courses, 0.2-0.3m high, and was constructed of various stones from large and angular at the base and on facings to small packing stones in the middle. Many of these were pink sandstone. The wall was bonded with lime mortar, also used liberally on the inside as a possible harl but now in powdery condition with some hard patches and lumps. This wall was very similar in construction and mortar appeared consistent with (008) however there was no physical connection to any other wall. It sat directly onto the natural along most of its length but on top of Feature 6 (006) towards the SW end.

Plate 2: Ceramic material from (007) (Find 2)


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Plate 3: Feature 1 with (007) in foreground (WKH14_128)

Wall (008) was L-shaped, running for 2.4m (NW/SE) then turning 90º to NE/SW and running for another 1.9m. This wall petered out at the NE end and it seems likely that it originally continued further. It was 0.4m wide, surviving only as a single course with large stones stretching the whole width. The wall had a very neat facing on the SE side and a clear, sharp corner. It was also constructed with lime mortar, now in fairly powdery condition, with some hard patches and lumps. Close to the corner this wall was disturbed by roots growing both over and under the stonework. It was abutted close to the corner by another wall running NW (010), which is clearly of different construction. Wall (009) was a small spur running out to the SW from (008) for 1.5m. It was in poor condition and petered out at the SW end. It included a variety of stones including pink sandstone and half a hand-made brick; and appeared to have larger stones at core with smaller outer skin. The lime mortar was similar to that used in (007) and (008), now powdery with harder lumps. This section had suffered root damage and might well have extended further originally. The wall sat directly on the subsoil like the others. It was possibly an extension to wall (009), but it is unclear whether the two are contemporary or not. Wall (010) was another short spur off the W of (008), 2.2m long. This clearly abutted (008), so was stratigraphically later (Plate 3). It was also slightly narrower at 0.3m wide. It comprised various stones mortared together with a much harder mortar mix with pebble inclusions - possibly a concrete rather than


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lime mortar. This wall also sat directly on the subsoil, and a shard of ribbed glass was found in the construction.

Plate 4: Feature 1 showing wall (010) abutting wall (008)

Context (011) was a small group of stones to the N of Feature 1 area. It consisted of two large stones, one of pink sandstone, with smaller stones between, and patches of powdery lime mortar. The west side appeared to be the facing of a wall in situ, whereas the boulder on the East side seemed to have fallen away slightly. These stones sat directly on the subsoil. It seems that all these walls form part of a single rectangular building about 7m by 2.9m formed by (007), (008) with (011) around the North corner. The other walls appear to be additions to this. Others features particularly Feature 5 respect all the walls running around the outside of (010) and probably stopped around the base of were (008) would have extend too. It seems probable that Feature 5 supplied this building with water. Feature 1 directly overlay Feature 6, which it did not respect.


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Plate 5: Virtual ‘Aerial’ photo of Feature 1, created using 3D modelling software.

A 3D model made of Feature 1 and a video showing the results can be seen at. http://youtu.be/7tEqeTMFXmE Feature 2: (Plate 6, Figure 6)

This feature consisted of a cut running for around 10m from the southern trench edge in a NNE/SSW direction and petering out on the slightly higher ground on the N side of the site [001]. This cut was 1-1.2m wide, with a steep edge on the East side and long shallow slope into the West side. It was 0.25m deep, cutting into the subsoil and filled with a loosely packed brown grey soil with many loosely packed rounded stones (002). The larger stones were concentrated on the East side but no finds were recovered from this feature.

This appeared to be a large field drain.


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Plate 6: Feature 2 Field Drain (WKH14_039)

Figure 6: Feature 2, N.E. facing section (Drawing 1), located on Figure 4


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Feature 3: (Plate 7, Figure 7)

This drystone wall ran parallel to the Wardlaw road and included two stratigraphic contexts. Firstly a straight-sided cut, about 0.3m deep, had been made into the subsoil [004] to accommodate large foundation stones. Stones of various sizes and shapes had been used to form the dry stone wall (003). Larger stones were used on the N side while the S side was mainly buried, with small stones and much topsoil. The top of the wall was formed of upright stones,

although these had fallen away in places. Topsoil had also worked into the wall in many places. (Plate 7) This boundary wall separated the old church land from the road. It was cut through to provide a new access for the site.

Plate 7: Feature 3 Dry stone wall (WKH13_62)


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Figure 7: Feature 3, West facing section

(Drawing 2), located on Figure 4 Feature 4: (Plate 8, Figure 5)

A clearly defined cut running across the SE corner of the site through Features 6 and 7 on the E trench edge [016]. This was around 0.5m wide and filled with grey clay-rich subsoil with no stones (017), clearly distinguishable from the surrounding red brown natural subsoil. This line included a concrete block-lined manhole with concrete slab lid.

This is clearly a modern drain with access point. It is apparently the most modern feature located on the site and was not recorded further.


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Plate 8: Feature 4 Pipeline (WKH14_69)

Feature 5: (Figure 5)

A distinctive, curving cut, running from a large concrete pad on the east side of the site out to the NW before running round to the N and finally to the E [012]. In all the feature is around 13m long and 0.25m wide, but it is somewhat indistinct at the NE end, where it seems to cut through Feature 6. The cut is filled by re-deposited subsoil or other material that it cuts through (013). At the south end this fill was grey, clay-rich and free from stones, while at the NE end it

was gritty, brown and contained some stone. At both ends a 1 inch diameter iron pipe was visible emerging from the centre of the fill. At the NE end a length of this pipe ran on the surface and terminated in a right angle joint. This feature respected Feature 1 and may have fed this building with water from a tank under the concrete pad. This hypothesis is backed up by the right angle joint in the NE end which could have attached to another pipe to run up a wall and ultimately to a tap. As the pipe could be seen at both ends, the feature was not excavated.


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Feature 6: (Plate 9, Figure 5, Figure 8)

A large, cut about 1.5-2m wide [005] running roughly NNW/SSE for around 8m across the slight slope of the site in the NE corner, and beneath Feature 1. It was itself cut by Feature 4 and appeared to peter out on the higher ground to the NW. On the S side, this cut was steep and sharp, with a flat base, but on the N side it was ephemeral. It was filled by a stony mid-brown spread across the centre of Feature 1, with many rounded stones varying in size from 3cm² to 50x20cm. A line of stones was visible on the S side but was scattered over the rest of the fill.

The fill was also cut by Feature 5.

Plate 9: Feature 6 (drain), running under Feature 1 (structure) (WKH14_88)

This feature clearly pre-dated Structure F1 as it ran directly under wall (007). It appeared to be a field drain, although its orientation is a little strange, running parallel with the present roadway close by. IT might therefore be associated with the road. This appears to be the oldest feature on the site, but no finds were recovered from it.


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Figure 8: Features 1 & 6, SSW facing section (Drawing 5)


A small feature consisting a straight, well-defined, flat-based but shallow cut [014] running directly away from the southern wall of Feature 1 (010). It is 3.2m long, 0.3m wide and only 0.07m deep. It is filled with a very clean light brown soil free from stones or any finds (015). The feature was itself cut by Feature 5 (curving pipeline) towards its S end. It petered out at both ends.

This feature is of unknown function.

Figure 9: Feature 7, SSW facing section (Drawing 4)


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Plate 10: Feature 7 cut by Feature 5 (WKH14_183)


A field drain was exposed on the SW side of the site close to the S corner. This ran NW/SE with a cut 0.3m wide and 0.3m deep [018]. The cut was filled by a mid-brown soil similar to the topsoil (019) and an orange ceramic pipe. This pipe was octagonal externally with external diameter of 11cm and a round interior 7cm in diameter. It was formed of 0.3m (1ft) sections.

This was clearly a 20th c. drain and was not recorded further.


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Plate 11: Feature 8 as exposed and pipe section (WKH14_64, 66&67)


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Conclusions and Recommendations The evidence recorded on this site can be set into two parts. The general background activity of an open area is demonstrated by Features 2, 8 (field drains), 4 (modern pipe) and 3 (boundary dyke). These features are fairly unremarkable and represent common agricultural and land management and modern infrastructure. The second group of features focus on Feature 1 and are much less expected. The building that Feature 1 represents was not much more than 10m from the church and seems to have had its own water supply at some point (Feature 5). However this structure is not present on the 1st or 2nd edition map, or (apparently) remembered locally. It seems likely that this building was constructed sometime after 1903 and had been completely removed by 1950. Beyond these facts it is hard from the field evidence to say any more other than the details given above. In addition a concrete pad was noted close to the SW of the plot. This will not be destroyed by the building works. We understand that this and represents the footings for a wooden hut previously used by the church as a Sunday school. The features found have all been recorded and no further fieldwork is recommended.

Plate 12: Feature 1, Structure (WKH14_99)


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Finds Photographs

Plate 13: Metal Fittings from Topsoil around Feature 1

Plate 14: Selected sample of glazed ceramics from topsoil around Feature 1


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Appendices

Table of Features Feature

No. Description

1 Series of walls towards NE corner of site 2 Field drain running across trench for close to west side 3 Boundary dyke with Wardlaw road 4 Modern pipeline with concrete block lined manhole 5 Curving pipe trench with 1 inch iron pipe and concrete tank 6 Stone filled rough edged feature running through and under F1 7 Narrow slot with brown fill south of F1 8 Field drain with orange clay octagonal pipe

Table of Contexts Context No.

Feature Description

001 2 Cut of field drain 002 2 Fill of field drain 003 3 Stones of Dyke 004 3 Cut of Dyke foundation 005 6 Cut of stone filled drain under f1 006 6 Stony fill of drain F6 007 1 Long wall on East side of site wall 008 1 L shaped wall on south side of feature 009 1 Southern most wall 010 1 Shot west wall 011 1 Possible remains of a wall in North corner of feature 1 012 5 Cut of curving pipeline 013 5 Grey brown fill of curving pipeline 014 7 Sharp sided cut of Feature 7 South of F1 015 7 Brown fill of Feature 7 016 4 Liner cut of large pipeline with man hole cover 017 4 Grey clay fill of pipeline 018 8 Cut for filed drain 019 8 Brown soil fill with orange ceramic pipe. Table of Finds Find No. Feature Context Description 1 - Topsoil Mixed stray finds from across the site particularly around Feature 1 2 1 (007) Thick coarse ceramic cream material from walls of Feature 1 3 1 (007) Square sectioned iron nail from Wall.


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Table of Drawings Drawing No.

Features Scale Description

1 2 1:10 North East facing section through field drain 2 3 1:10 West facing section through Dry stone wall 3 1,4-7 1:20 Plan of Feature 1 and surrounding features 4 7 1:10 SSW facing section through Feature 7 unknown function 5 1,6 1:10 SW facing section through Feature 1 (structure) and part of Feature 6 (large

field drain).

Table of Photographs Photo No. (WKH14_)

From Facing Showing

1-3 CP1 -N- Site on arrival as found 4-6 CP2 -SW- Site on arrival as found 7-9 CP3 E Site on arrival as found 10-13 CP4 S Site on arrival as found 14 CP2 SW Work underway turf stripping 15 CP5 WSW Pre- excavation of outer wall F3 16 CP6 E Pre- excavation of outer wall F3 17-20 CP7 SSW Pre- excavation of outer wall F3 21-24 CP2 N Pre- excavation of outer wall F3 25-26 CP2 SW Turf striped 27-30 CP8 E Turf striped in NE corner up to wall 31-33 - W 8th May 2014 34-35 CP9 N Area striped 7th of May 36-38 CP10 W Area striped 7th of May 39-41 CP11 NE Feature 2 field drain from South West end 42-44 CP12 SW Feature 2 field drain from North East end 45 CP13 SW Mid excavation Feature 2 46-48 CP13 SW Post excavation Feature 2showing cut [001] 49 CP14 N Feature 2 with stump removed 50-51 CP15 NE Feature 3 outer wall pre excavation 52 CP16 E Feature 3 outer wall West facing section as cut 53 CP16 W Feature 3 outer wall East facing section as cut 54-55 - N Feature 4 from man whole 56 CP17 N Feature 5 curving pipe as exposed 57-58 CP18 -N- Feature 1 as exsposed end of day 8th May 9th May 2014 59-61 - E Feature 3 dry stone wall section cleaned 62 - E Feature 3 dry stone wall section cleaned 63 CP19 N Feature 8 Field drain 64 - W Feature 8 Field drain 65 CP19 NNE Area striped South East side of site Feature 8 just visable 66-67 - - Feature 8 pipe section 68 CP20 E View of striped area with part of Feature 4, pipeline 69 CP20 E South end of Feature 4 pipeline


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Photo No. (WKH14_)

From Facing Showing

70 CP20 E Clear area to South East of pipeline Feature 4 71-72 CP21 N South East area striped 73-75 - SW Feature 1 as left 9th May from NE side 76-78 - SE Feature 1 as left 9th May from NW side 79-81 - NE Feature 1 as left 9th May from SW side 12th May 2014 82-85 CP22 S Area around Feature 1 cleaned 86 CP23 SSE Area around Feature 1 cleaned 87-92 CP24 W Area around Feature 1 cleaned 94-98 CP25 W Detailed area South east corner of Feature 1 99-102 CP26 -N Feature 1 from South 103-108 CP27 E Area around Feature 1 including Feature 5 &7 109-111 - N Detail of Feature 1 South West Wall 112-113 - E Detail of Feature 1 projecting SSW wall 13th May 2014 114-173 - - Photos of Feature 1 for 3D model 174-176 - NNW Slot A from Feature 1 long wall (007) showing Feature 6 & 4 177-179 - NNE Pre excavation Feature 7 180-183 - NNE Post excavation Feature 7 184-186 - E Section through Feature 1 wall (007) also showing Feature 6 (006) 187-189 - W NNE facing section cut through wall (007) showing sitting on subsoil 190-192 - N Section through Feature 1 (007) also showing [005] cut

Figure 10: Camera Points

Documents

Wardlaw Church, Kirkhill