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Metal Detector Survey
Date April 2006 - May 2006
Event ID 611134
Category Recording
Type Metal Detector Survey
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/611134
NN 815 019
The aim of the project was to locate as accurately as possible the site of the battle of Sheriffmuir, which was fought between Jacobite and Government forces on 13 November 1715. The main location of interest was the initial deployment of the battle lines, which preceded the rapid departure from the moor of the left wings of both armies, who were hotly pursued by the opposing force’s right wing. The work was carried out in April and May 2006 in relation to the proposed 400 kV overhead line, which will run from Beauly to Denny and replace the current 132kV line that runs across the moor.
Metal detector survey, supported by in-depth analysis of contemporary battle accounts and historic maps, has established that the initial battle lines were orientated E to W and located in the commercial woodland to the W of the Sheriffmuir Inn and E of the Gathering Stone. There seems little doubt that the planting of this forestry will have had a detrimental impact on any archaeology relating to the battle in this location.
Pockets of survival were identified outside woodland in the pasture fields and to a lesser extent on moorland. The assemblage included musket and pistol balls, button, buckles, horseshoes, a snaffle bit and coins, among which was a silver ‘King’s Shilling’ dated to the 1690s. The main concentration of debris were found to the SW of the MacRae Monument, and relate to the retreat of the Government Left, while debris from the paddock immediately to the W of the Sheriffmuir Inn related to action on the Jacobite Left.
Also recovered were a large number of WWII military artefacts; most of them were .303 shell casings, but mortar projector cases, webbing buckles and buttons were also recovered. This material relates to the use of the moor for training during WWII, most notably for the Normandy Invasion (D-Day).
Archive to be deposited in the NMRS.
Sponsor: Scottish Hydro-Electric Transmission Ltd (SHETL) and SP Transmission Ltd (SPT)
T Pollard 2006
