Vat Burn

NO49NW 10 centred 4155 9961

(NO 4151 9965) Eighty yards south of the bridge on the Old Ballater road over the Var Burn is a pit shaped like a punch-bowl, 17 by 15 feet broad, and 3 1/2 feet deep, and to the east of it a smaller one, 15 feet away. Excavation of the former showed no sign of human occupation.

A Ogston 1931.

The larger pit, as described by Ogston, is probably the result of quarrying for the nearby road, or a natural hollow. There is no trace of the smaller pit.

Visited by OS (R L) 21 February 1967.

(Location cited as centred at NO 4155 9961). Field survey and the examination of air photographs (CUCAP 1970, unreferenced) have revealed the two pits noted by Ogston. There are at least four further pits along the crest of a ridge 100m to the SE; these were found to be of man-made origin and to measure about 4m in diameter and 1m deep with the remains of a spoil-tip formed from the upcast. They are stable and overgrown with heather and trees, and may be shooting-hides.

Information from S Carter and M Dalland (Headland Archaeology), 1996 (MS/899/3, no. 8).

NO 42 99 (centre) A short notice forestry survey was undertaken by Headland Archaeology Ltd over roughly 7km2 of land to the W of Lochs Kinord and Davan in the Howe of Cromar, Aberdeenshire. The survey took in the E slopes of Culblean Hill and the W part of the Muir of Dinnet. A total of 13 features or groups of features of archaeological interest were recorded. Eight records relate to previously known archaeological features, although one (cairns and enclosure) has not been plotted before. Four records (all limekilns) were noted on early OS maps. The final record is of a previously unidentified medieval or later settlement.

NO 4155 9961 (centre) Pits (NO49NW 10).

Sponsor: Historic Scotland

S Carter 1996.