Geophysical Survey

Date 9 July 2018 - 19 July 2018

Event ID 1089971

Category Recording

Type Geophysical Survey

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1089971

NR 92844 91510 Geophysical survey was carried out, 9–19

July 2018, over two pasture fields (2.7ha) to the S of Asknish

House, Lochgair. The survey aimed to map potential buried

remains associated with the earlier castle, including garden

features, and to locate a series of stone drains associated with

the current house. A resistance survey was undertaken with

data collected at 0.5 x 0.5m intervals.

The resistance survey detected a wide variety of anomalies

across the survey area resulting in a complex data set. Very

high responses were recorded in the N of the survey area,

which are thought to have a largely natural or modern origin.

The data is confused by a series of parallel trends throughout

the eastern field. While these could have various origins, it is

thought that they relate to a phase of field drains.

The survey successfully mapped the known drains

associated with Asknish House. However, most of these

appear to terminate in a general area of very low response

suggesting collapse/damage of a central drain that they

appear to feed into. Additional possible field drains and cable

trenches have also been detected. These are thought to be

later and may well have contributed to the damage of the

original drains, which are known to be extremely shallow.

Several linear anomalies have been recorded, suggesting

the possible limits of a postulated formal garden surrounding

a surviving sundial. While some anomalies suggestive of

garden features were noted within the enclosed area, the

results are not very clear.

Additional anomalies immediately to the SW of the

presumed formal garden suggest possible structural remains.

It is not clear if these are associated with the earlier castle.

However, their apparent association with the presumed

formal garden and their proximity to exposed stone

flooring/foundations in the track bisecting the survey area,

together with early mapping, suggest they are likely to be

archaeologically significant.

Archive: Rose Geophysical Consultants

Funder: Addyman Archaeology

Susan Ovenden – Rose Geophysical Consultants

(Source: DES, Volume 19)