South Inchmichael

An aerial transcription was produced from oblique aerial photographs. Information from Historic Environment Scotland (BM) 31 March 2017.

NO22NW 29 248 252

Air photography has recorded the cropmarks of an unenclosed settlement on the summit and N-facing slope of the ridge to the N and NW respectively of the farmsteadings of South and East Inchmichael. The main concentration of cropmarks lies immediately N of South Inchmichael and comprises two rectangular markings, with a probable souterrain to its W, and a scatter of pits and a curving mark to the E. The curving mark of the souterrain (NO 2478 2529) is about 25m long, while the larger of the rectangular markings, which are probably the remains of rectangular buildings (NO 2480 2530), measures about 10m by 5m. In the same field (opposite East Inchmichael Cottages) there is another possible souterrain, while a scatter of other indeterminate features extends to the NW and also across the adjacent field to the E; this second souterrain (NO 2485 2540) measures at least 20m in length and about 2m across at the wider (NE) end. In the field to the W there is also what may be the remains of an incomplete ring-ditch with a narrow subterranean structure leading off its NE arc (NO 2458 2535).

Information from RCAHMS (JRS) 7 January 1993.

During the periods of 9th October and 29th November to 4th December 1996, the Trust undertook archaeological investigations on two sites in the Carse of Gowrie in advance of and during pipe laying for the Tayside Regional Council Water Services Department (now North of Scotland Water Authority). A programme of improvements to the water supplies of the villages of Inchture, Errol and Glencarse necessitated the construction of a new pipeline between Errol and a reservoir at Over Fingask.

Two areas, Fingask and South Inchmichael, on the route of the pipeline, were identified by Historic Scotland as being archaeologically sensitive. These areas contained evidence of prehistoric or later settlement in the form of cropmarks identified by aerial survey. No significant archaeological remains were encountered during these investigations.

SUAT 1996

An interpretative transcription, or mapping, of information on oblique aerial photographs was produced on 7 September 2017.

NO 24764 25194 After a breach of planning conditions and in advance of a new build agricultural shed under a separate application, trial trenching was conducted in an arable field immediately W of South Inchmichael farm, close to an area of extensive cropmarks identified from aerial photographs as an unenclosed settlement, part of which was a Scheduled Monument (SM 7199; Canmore ID: 30441). The work took place on 13-14 February 2019. Fourteen trenches were excavated under supervision, each measuring 20 x 2m. A number of possible furrows indicating pre-modern cultivation were exposed, but otherwise nothing of archaeological interest was encountered.

Archive: NRHE (intended)

Funder: Morris Leslie Ltd

C Fyles ̶ Alder Archaeology Ltd