Easter Fearn

NH 64489 86690 - NH 62723 84685 A programme of archaeological work was undertaken, September 2013 – October 2014, in advance of the possible installation of a hydro-electric pipeline to the SW of Easter Fearn Farm. A desk-based assessment had identified various known sites in the

area, including enclosures, shielings, hut circles and a Telford bridge.

A walkover survey of the area was unable to locate some of the features identified during the desk-based assessment. Some additional features were identified, although the majority of these are enclosures which, although of turf or dry stone construction, appear on modern mapping. Adjustments to the development route were recommended and mitigation

areas identified. A watching brief was carried out in three areas where the development needed to pass nearby or through an identified feature. Features to be avoided were flagged out to ensure that a buffer zone was maintained.

Mitigation area 1 passed between a turf-built enclosure and a shieling. Work in Mitigation area 2 required cutting through an earthen bank marked on the 1st Edition OS map. This activity was monitored and a section of the bank recorded. The bank was formed from clay subsoil cut from a ditch. This ditch had been subsequently recut and had again filled with organic-rich topsoil. The ditch lay on the outside of the enclosure, which on the 1st Edition OS map surrounded trees, and so this bank and ditch may have functioned to keep livestock out rather than in.

Mitigation area 3 consisted of an area very close to the present farm buildings and where a mill lade was marked on the 1st Edition OS map. This field was covered with bracken during the walkover survey, but before the watching brief took place a ditch was identified which followed the line of the mill lade shown on the map. A well preserved cobble-based mill lade was uncovered at the base of the ditch. This had been cut into a natural layer of clay and lay 1m below the current ground surface, with a piled stone lining on either side. This depth was possible due to the undulating topography of the area, in which the mill pond and first part of the lade sit relatively high and drops down steeply towards the farm buildings. A short section of this feature was uncovered and recorded where it needed to be cut, the rest being left covered to protect it from

damage during development.

Archive: HAS. Report: Highland HER

Funder: Carter Jonas

Lynne McKeggie - Highland Archaeology Services

(Source: DES)