Watching Brief

Date 15 December 2009

Event ID 880022

Category Recording

Type Watching Brief

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/880022

NH 6534 3834 – NH 6569 3925 – NH 6505 3897 An ongoing

programme of archaeological work began on 15 December

2009 in relation to the construction of a substation at

Knocknagael. The construction of passing places on a

single track road was the subject of eight watching briefs

and excavations for site compounds, access and haul roads,

new electricity towers and cable routes were all subject to a

controlled topsoil strip. The extensive trial pits excavated in

the c8.9ha substation site were the subject of a controlled

topsoil strip. A further 24 archaeological trial trenches were

also excavated.

Apart from one localised, rubble-filled field drain, the

whole area proved to be remarkably clear of archaeology. A

total of five shallow features were identified on the substation

site. These were recorded as possible postholes, but were

probably formed by root action and/or the burning of gorse.

The public road serving the site follows the line of General

Wade’s military road between Inverness and Fort Augustus,

built in 1726. The first passing space constructed lies close

to the former site of the Knocknagael Boar Stone, which was

moved to the Highland Council’s headquarters in 1990. It

is shown on this site on the 1st Edition OS map of 1875,

but an excavation at the time of its removal noted that it

was standing on disturbed ground and it seems to have been

placed there in the 19th century. No archaeological features

or finds were found during the watching brief on the passing

space or observed during topsoil stripping for a nearby cable.

Archive: Highland Archaeology Services Ltd

Funder: Scottish and Southern Energy