A830 Polnish to Loch Nan Uamh

NM 752 828 to NM 729 841 During December 1995 and September 1996, a programme of evaluation and excavation was carried out in advance of the proposed widening and realignment of the A830 between Polnish Chapel and the Loch Nan Uamh viaduct.

The characteristic steep slopes and rocky terrain meant that the potential for site identification was limited. However, several features were identified during the evaluation, in two cases confirming identifications made during the desk-based study.

Sixteen trenches were excavated, all located at the W end of the road corridor in an area comprising arable flood plain (NM 7317 8410). The only feature located within the trial trenches was a large scooped feature, possibly an old stream course.

The following sites were located and recorded by fieldwalking and palaeoenvironmental assessment elsewhere within the road corridor:

1 NM 7512 8265 Post-medieval building 1.

2 NM 7509 8275 Post-medieval building 2.

3 NM 7504 8280 Possible kiln.

4 NM 7503 8280 Rig and furrow.

5 NM 7507 8270 Quarry.

6 NM 7424 8360 Bridge and road.

Sites 1-5 clustered to the W of Polnish chapel, and together with a spread of similar structures located outside the road corridor, appear to form components of a depopulated settlement. A trial section was excavated through part of the rig system (site 4), revealing a width of 2.1m between crests.

A Data Structure Report has been produced for the evaluation phase of the work, and a Data Structure Report for the excavations is in preparation.

Sponsor: The National Roads Directorate of The Scottish Office Development Department, managed on their behalf by Historic Scotland

A Rees 1996