NTS Recording Event

Date 1998 - 1998

Event ID 1000956

Category Recording

Type Condition Survey

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1000956

The placename of Balmakairen is recorded on Bleau's mid-17th century map of the area (presumably sourced from Pont's survey of the 1590s).

Roy records the township of Ballnacarra in the vicinity of Blamacara Square in the mid-18th century, surrounded by a large swathe of runrig.

However, by the time of the Blackadder estate map of 1807 the township seems to have disappeared and 'farm offices' and associated buildings have been established.

The 1st edition OS map (surveyed in 1873-4) names the settlement, with a Commercial Bank of Scotland, kennels and icehouse, as Balmacara. The 2nd edition OS map (1902) offers no specific name. It is therefore not known when the buildings acquired the name Balmacara Square.

NTS Ref: BAL 112 (Information from condition report for NTS produced by Jill Harden 2000)

A range of historical and archaeological research has been undertaken on the 'farm offices' and associated buildings now known as Balmacara Square, as listed below:

Wildgoose, M 1995 Balmacara Mill Excavation (report to NTS, copied to NMRS)

Wildgoose, M 1997 Bank Cottage, Balmacara [Square] Demolished November 1997 - a Reconstruction on Paper (report to NTS, copied to NMRS)

Kirkdale Archaeology 1997 Balmacara Square Archaeological Recording [of the steading and hay barn] Initial Draft Report (to NTS, copied to NMRS)

Kirkdale Archaeology 1997 Balmacara Square Statement of Cultural Significance [of the steading and hay barn] (report to NTS, copied to NMRS)

Kirkdale Archaeology 1997 Balmacara Square Contour Survey and Archaeological Recording of the Mill and Cottages First Draft Report (to NTS, copied to NMRS)

Kirkdale Archaeology 1998 Balmacara Square Contour Survey and Archaeological Recording of the Mill and Cottages Second Draft Report (to NTS, copied to NMRS)

Wildgoose, M 1998 Balmacara Square Archaeological Excavations Interim Report (to NTS, copied to NMRS)

Wildgoose, M 1999 Balmacara Square Archaeological Excavations Excavation Report (to NTS, copied to NMRS)

Wildgoose, M 2001 Balmacara Square Watching Brief Final Report (to NTS, copied to NMRS)

A copy of the architect's survey plans of the steading and hay barn in Balmacara Square c1997 is held in the NTS office Inverness

NTS commissioned condition report as follow-up to Dualchas survey undertaken by Jill Harden