Field Visit

Date 9 October 2020 - 5 November 2020

Event ID 1126595

Category Recording

Type Field Visit

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1126595

NJ 24859 51300 (centred) A desk-based assessment and walkover survey were carried out in advance of a woodland planting and regeneration scheme at the Moss of Rothes. The walkover survey recorded 14 archaeological sites comprising 1 prehistoric kerbed cairn, 3 prehistoric hut circles, and 136 prehistoric clearance cairns forming 3 field systems; a post-medieval farmstead, enclosure, field dyke and field system including at least 14 clearance cairns; and 3 sites relating to the use of the landscape by the Rothes Estate including 15 grouse butts and an estate wall. (See Canmore ID: 16444; 16445; 156171; 70990 for some of these).

While some of these sites had previously been recorded on the Moray Historic Environment Record, they had not previously been recorded in any detail and the survey carried out in respect of this project provides a comprehensive overview of the archaeological features focused on a prominent ridge of ground running SE from the Moss of Stonyhill. In particular, a significant number of clearance cairns and mounds were recorded within the prehistoric and historic field systems, along with a second hut circle.

A possible third hut circle and associated field system comprising clearance cairns and mounds were recorded in the SW sector of the survey area, within the area defined for planting.

Although a significant number of archaeological features were recorded during the survey, especially on the ridge running SE from the Moss of Stonyhill, extensive stands of heather created some difficulties in identification. This was further compounded while recording the prehistoric features due to their partial burial below the peat and sediment cover.

Archive: Highland Council HER and NRHE (intended)

Funder: Cawdor Forestry Ltd

Steven Birch – West Coast Archaeological Services

(Source: DES Volume 21)