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Harpsdale
Field Drain(S) (18th Century)
Site Name Harpsdale
Classification Field Drain(S) (18th Century)
Canmore ID 348189
Site Number ND15NW 110
NGR ND 1315 5510
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/348189
- Council Highland
- Parish Halkirk
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Caithness
- Former County Caithness
Watching Brief (June 2012)
ND 1315 5510 A watching brief was carried out in June 2012 in advance of the construction of a new house. The area was considered sensitive as the river valley contains a variety of archaeological sites, including two recorded brochs within 500m of the development site. Two distinct types of probably late 18th- to mid-19th-century land drains were recorded.
Phase 1 drains were carefully constructed stone-lined channels with capping stones, laid in a herringbone pattern, with the water flow being directed to the NE to the road side ditch. Phase 2 drains were narrower and less sophisticated, with slate pitched in to form a clear channel and a rough capstone across the top. These cut the Phase 1 drains and followed a parallel layout, the water flow being directed to the S into a ditch orthogonal to the roadside ditch. As these land drains were operational they were reinstated after investigation.
Archive: HAS. Report: Highland HER
Funder: Mr and Mrs G K Bell
Lynne McKeggie, Paul Humphreys, John Wood, Highland Archaeology Services, 2013
(Source: DES)
