Excavation

Date July 2012 - August 2012

Event ID 992642

Category Recording

Type Excavation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/992642

NJ 611 189 During July–August 2012 the Bennachie Landscapes Fieldwork Group carried out excavations in the grounds of the Castle Forbes Estate in support of the research being carried out by the teachers, pupils and parents of Keig School (see entry below). Grateful thanks are extended to the Master of Forbes for permission to pursue the work.

The findings of the landscape study had highlighted two areas for consideration. The first was the 18th-century road that formed the major thoroughfare linking the Forbe’s original power base at Druminnor in the N with their southern base at Puttachie, the present Castle Forbes. Beyond this, the road continued to the Boat of Forbes crossing of the River Don. The section across the road established that the standard of road building was more sophisticated than generally seen. The carriageway was 4m wide enclosed by banks and internal drainage gullys. It would be useful to section other parts of the road to establish if this level of construction was maintained for its full length.

The second area investigated focused on the remains of a possible former lade and associated mill stance. A section across the structure confirmed the identification. Further research suggests that it may have been a saw mill, which existed for only a few years during the first half of the 19th century. Work was also begun on the probable site of the mill and this will continue in 2013.

Archive: Aberdeenshire Council SMR (intended)

Funder: Volunteer work

Colin Shepherd, Bailies of Bennachie and University of Aberdeen, 2012