Dull Farm, Steading

NN 807 491 A programme of standing building recording and trial trenching evaluation was carried out at Dull Steading, Dull, by Aberfeldy, in September 2006 in advance of its demolition for new housing. The building survey confirmed that Dull Steading had occupied the same layout since the early 19th century. The N range has blocked arched openings that served as cart sheds. These were blocked in the mid-19th century as part of alterations that allowed the W range to continue as a byre and the N range as a stable. Other alterations include the removal of the loft floor in the W range and roof replacement. Later, during the early 20th century, the W range was converted to a milking shed. The purpose-built cattle shed was built by the 1900s and is largely unaltered, with the exception of the insertion of a larger door on the E elevation which allowed access for mucking out with a tractor. All the buildings are part of a larger farming unit that straddled the main road through the village, with a detached farmhouse and barn to the N. Stock-rearing and milk production appear to have been the main economic activities throughout its use. Five trial trenches, amounting to 100m2 (5% of the application area), did not uncover any archaeological remains.

The archive is intended for deposition in the NMRS. Reports have been lodged with NMRS and Perth and Kinross SMR.

Sponsor: McKenzie Strickland Associates.

C O'Connell and M Cressey 2006