+ All Categories
Home > Documents > Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record...

Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record...

Date post: 28-Feb-2021
Category:
Upload: others
View: 4 times
Download: 0 times
Share this document with a friend
19
An Archaeological Survey for the Uileann Hydro Scheme, Ardtornish Estate, Morvern, Lochaber, Highland. For Hydroplan UK. September 2010. Jennifer G. Robertson MA PhD FSA Scot. MIFA Garden Cottage, Ardtornish Estate, Morvern, By Oban, Argyll, PA34 5UZ. Tel. 01967 421234. E-Mail [email protected]
Transcript
Page 1: Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record Society. Philip Gaskell 1968: Morvern Transformed, Cambridge. Innes, C, 1854: Origines

An Archaeological Survey for the Uileann Hydro Scheme, Ardtornish Estate,

Morvern, Lochaber, Highland.

For Hydroplan UK.

September 2010.

Jennifer G. Robertson MA PhD FSA Scot. MIFA

Garden Cottage, Ardtornish Estate, Morvern, By Oban, Argyll, PA34 5UZ.

Tel. 01967 421234. E-Mail [email protected]

Page 2: Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record Society. Philip Gaskell 1968: Morvern Transformed, Cambridge. Innes, C, 1854: Origines

J.G.Robertson. Ardtornish. September 2010. 1

1. Summary. Twelve archaeological sites, comprising 24 individual monuments, were recorded in a desk-based and walkover survey at Uileann, Ardtornish Estate, Morvern, Lochaber, Highland. All were associated with the agricultural landscape of either the pre-clearance townships or with the subsequent phase of sheep-farming. No Scheduled Ancient Monuments are situated within or near the survey area. Impact assessment and mitigation is summarised in the table below. Site No.

Impact Assessment Mitigation

Site 1 ? Circular feature

Situated close to pipeline No action required

Site 2 Shielings

Not at risk No action required

Site 3 ? Circular feature

Not at risk No action required

Site 4 ?Structure

Situated close to pipeline

No action required

Site 5 Drainage ditches

On route of pipeline No action required

Site 6 Fence

Will be cut by pipeline

No action required

Site 7 Dyke

Not at risk No action required

Site 8 Dyke Situated close to pipeline To be avoided Site 9 Enclosed arable

Situated close to pipeline To be avoided

Site 10 Sheepfank

Situated close to pipeline To be avoided

Site 11 Drainage ditches

Situated close to pipeline No action required

Site 12 Alltachonaich Township

Not at risk No action required

2. Introduction. An archaeological survey was undertaken on behalf of Hydroplan UK., at Uileann, Ardtornish Estate, Morvern, Lochaber, Highland (OS 1:10.000 Sheets NM75SW, NM75SE, NM74NE), prior to the proposed construction of a hydro scheme. (See Fig 1: Location Map)

Page 3: Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record Society. Philip Gaskell 1968: Morvern Transformed, Cambridge. Innes, C, 1854: Origines

J.G.Robertson. Ardtornish. September 2010. 2

Fig. 1: Location Map (Extract from OS Landranger 49 Oban and East Mull) (© Crown copyright 1984. All rights reserved. Licence number 10044103) The proposed hydro scheme at Uileann will capture water principally from the Allt Buidhe Mor, with subsidiary sources further North on Allt a’ Chonaich and Allt na Criche (See Fig. 5) All three streams are tributaries of Allt Beitheach, which flows through Gleann Geal, translated as the White Glen. A pipeline will run along the left bank of Allt Buidhe Mor from Intake 1, along the NE side of Uileann plantation to an almost right-angled bend in the stream, where the pipeline turns southwestwards into the forest and then follows the left bank of Allt Buidhe Beag. After another turn to the West it arrives at the power house, situated to the SE of Uileann House, beside the sweeping curve in Allt Buidhe Mor, which may represent the “elbow,” after which Uileann is named. This pipeline is joined by a second pipeline from Intake 2 on Allt a’ Chonaich, while an aqueduct carries water to the latter from Intake 3 on Allt na Criche. The survey area consists of a narrow strip of ground, 50m either side of the proposed pipelines, an area 50m in diameter around the intakes and 100m in diameter around the powerhouse. The survey area lies on granites of the Strontian complex and consists of moderately sloping ground, rising from a height of 90m OD to 210m OD. The lower part of the pipeline runs through Uileann plantation, which was ploughed and planted with conifers in the 1970’s. The Uileann plantation was the subject of a desk-based and walkover survey by the writer in 2003, as part of an estate forestry plan. (Robertson, 2003)

Page 4: Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record Society. Philip Gaskell 1968: Morvern Transformed, Cambridge. Innes, C, 1854: Origines

J.G.Robertson. Ardtornish. September 2010. 3

3. Working Methods. The survey consisted of a combination of a desk-based assessment and a rapid walkover survey. 3.1. Desk-based Assessment. The desk-based assessment consisted of the consultation of a variety of sources: 3.1.1. Sites and Monuments Registers. a) The National Monuments Record of Scotland (NMRS), held by RCAHMS, John Sinclair House, 16 Bernard Terrace, Edinburgh EH8 9NX, available on www.rcahms.gov.uk b) The Historic Environment Record (HER), held by the Highland Council Archaeology Unit, Planning and Development Service, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX, available on www.ambaile.org Three sites are relevant to the survey area: NMRS NM75SE. 2: (HER MHG 585) Allt Buidhe Mor: shieling huts. NMRS NM75SE.4: (HER MHG 63) Allt Beitheach / Alltachonaich: farmstead, dyke. NMRS NM75SW.11: (HER MHG 584) Uilean Township. 3.1.2. Maps. a) William Roy’s Map of Scotland, 1747-55. b) George Langlands & Sons: Map of Argyleshire, 1801. c) Plan of the lands of Achranich, surveyed 1815 by Alexander Langlands. (Ardtornish Estate Archives) d) Plan of Farms in Morvern, Argyllshire The Property of His Grace The Duke of Argyll, 1819 (Scottish Record Office RH 3260) e) John Thomson: the Atlas of Scotland, Edinburgh, 1832. f) OS 1st Ed. 6” Map Sheet: Argyllshire LV, surveyed 1872, publ. 1875. g) OS 2nd Ed. 6” Map, publ. 1900. h) OS 1:10,000 Sheets NM 75 SW and NM 75 SE, 1974. i) OS Explorer 1:25,000, 2002. 3.1.3. Archives. a) Ardtornish Estate Archives: Maps (see above). Achranich Estate Farm Ledgers 1853-1857; 1858-65. Raven, Faith: “ My Forestry Enterprise at Ardtornish. A Personal View written from memory”, October 1986. Robertson, Jennifer G.: “An Archaeological Survey of Woodlands in Glean Geal, Morvern, Argyll”, an unpublished report for Ardtornish Estate Company, November 2003. b) Scottish Record Office, Edinburgh: Map (see above) c) Fort William Library: Census of Morvern 1841, 1851, 1861. 3.1.4. Aerial Photographs. Aerial photographs were consulted in the RCAHMS Air Photo Unit: a) 106G/Scot/UK 101; Date 19.5.1946; Scale 1:10,800; Frames 3282-3284, 4034-4037. b) 106G/UK/35; Date 27.4.1946; Scale 1:10,000; Frames 5179-5181. c) OS 62 018; Date 17.4.1962; Scale 1:27,000; Frames 031, 032. d) OS 67 322; Date 21.8.1967; Scale 1:27,000; Frames 249-250.

Page 5: Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record Society. Philip Gaskell 1968: Morvern Transformed, Cambridge. Innes, C, 1854: Origines

J.G.Robertson. Ardtornish. September 2010. 4

3.1.5. Published Sources. Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record Society. Philip Gaskell 1968: Morvern Transformed, Cambridge. Innes, C, 1854: Origines Parochiales Scotiae, (3 vols in 2) Vol II pt I. Nicholas Maclean-Bristol 1998: Inhabitants of the Inner Isles Morvern and Arnamurchan 1716, Scottish Record Society. RCAHMS 1980 Argyll An Inventory of the Monuments Vol. 3 Mull, Tiree, Coll and Northern Argyll, HMSO. J.F. Scott: “The Parish of Morvern” in Scot. Geog. Mag. Vol 70, 2, Sept 1954. 3.2. Fieldwork. The desk-based research was followed by a rapid walkover survey. This was undertaken in dry, mostly sunny conditions by the writer on 3rd - 5th June 2010 with additional survey on 27th August 2010. The late Spring in 2010 meant that vegetation growth did not pose a problem in the bulk of the survey work, carried out in June. However, survey was hampered in the lower part of the pipeline within the Uileann plantation, which had been ploughed with deep furrows, prior to forestry planting in 1971-3, so that most of the archaeological sites within have been severely damaged. Sites, identified in the desk-based survey, could not be located. 4. Historical Background. Gleann Geal, translated as “the White Glen”, has a long, though not necessarily continuous, history of occupation. At the South West end of the valley, a Mesolithic flint scatter was found at Acharn (NMRS NM65SE.6), and Bronze Age cists and kerbed cairns occur, also at Acharn and at the adjacent site of Claggan. (NMRS NM65SE.4 and 5; NM64NE.7; RCAHMS, 1980, 48-50, 54-5) At the North East end of the glen, a wooden keg, containing bog butter, was found in 1879 during peat-digging at Beach, possibly in the peat banks at NM 765 537. (NMRS NM75SE.1) The keg was radio-carbon dated to between 183 and 226 AD, and is now on display in the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh. A string of settlements was gradually established along the White Glen. The earliest record is in 1390, when 3 pennylands of “Vlgadall” (Uladail), 2 ½ pennylands of “Nasrone” (Sron) and 2 ½ pennylands of “Achagtaeegeneruflang” (Achnatavishruskline) were granted by the Lord of the Isles to Lachlan Makgilleone. (Innes, 1854, 190) The remains of the latter two settlements are situated on the NW side of the Gleann Geal, opposite, and clearly visible from, the survey area. Further grants of lands were recorded for Clounlaid and Achtidonile in 1494 and 1496 respectively, for Altachonaich in 1509, for Uileann in 1635 and for Acharn and Beach in 1674. (op. cit., 190-1) The first clear evidence of settlement in the area is on Roy’s Map of 1747-55, in which houses are marked at several of these sites, including Alltachonaich, relevant to the present survey area. (See Fig. 2) The township of “Aldihonnich” consisted of up to six buildings surrounded by an extensive area of arable ground. These may equate with the remains of six buildings, Sites 12a-f, recorded on either side of an unnamed tributary of Allt Beitheach in the present survey. None of the buildings is at risk from the proposed hydro scheme, though two dykes and associated arable ground, Sites 7-9, are potentially within the range of the proposed pipeline between Allt a’ Chonaich and Allt Buidhe Mor. Alltachonaich was part of Kingairloch Estate from at least the early 16th century until the 1870’s, only becoming part of Ardtornish Estate in 1900. (Gaskell, 1968, 166) In 1841, one house was occupied by Dugald MacInnes, an agricultural labourer, and his family but three houses were occupied in 1851, with a total population of 16.

Page 6: Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record Society. Philip Gaskell 1968: Morvern Transformed, Cambridge. Innes, C, 1854: Origines

J.G.Robertson. Ardtornish. September 2010. 5

(Census, 1841, 1851) “Dugall MacInnes” was then described as a shepherd, as was the head of a neighbouring household, Hugh Cameron. Thus, the change from subsistence agriculture to a sheep-farming economy had begun.

Fig. 2: Extract from Roy’s Map, 1747-55, showing the township of “Aldihonnich”. The lands of Alltachonaich extended southwards to Allt Buidhe Mor, which formed the boundary with Uileann township, and until 1900 the boundary between Kingairloch and Achranich (after 1860: Ardtornish) Estate. This boundary was marked by the iron post and wire fence, Site 6, constructed between 1872 and 1900. Although the name is recorded in 1635, Uilean was not marked on Roy’s Map of 1747-55. The first clear evidence of settlement at Uileann is not until 1801, when it is marked on Langlands’ Map of Argyleshire. More detail is available on the 1815 “Plan of the lands of Achranich …”, which shows ten houses and outbuildings at “Ullin” on the South West bank of Allt Buidhe Mor. (See Fig. 3) The houses and arable ground are all outside the survey area and have not been recorded in the present survey. However, the “Old Shiellins”, Site 2, outlined in blue at the top of the map extract in Fig 3, are close to the route of the proposed pipeline from Intake 1 to the power house. The presence on this map of a sheepfank and the fact that the shielings are already “old” in 1815 suggests that sheep have already usurped some of the old township pasture. This supports Gaskell’s assertion that the 1815 Plan of Achranich illustrates well “a centralised proprietor’s farm, with the interior cleared for sheep but with a considerable population still working arable strips at a number of peripheral settlements”. (1968, 18)

Page 7: Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record Society. Philip Gaskell 1968: Morvern Transformed, Cambridge. Innes, C, 1854: Origines

J.G.Robertson. Ardtornish. September 2010. 6

Fig. 3: Extract from “Plan of the lands of Achranich …”, 1815, showing the township of “Ullin”. (Ardtornish Estate Archives) The sheep-farming enterprise developed further through the 19th century. Thus by the 1841 Census, only two houses at Uileann were inhabited by a population of 13, of which the male members were described as agricultural labourers. (Census 1841) By 1861, the old settlements of Uileann and Alltachonaich had been abandoned. (Census 1861) The former was replaced by the present Uileann House, built 1857-8 and occupied in 1861 by a shepherd, and the latter by a cottage, built between 1861 and 1871 on the NE bank of Allt Buidhe Mor. (Census 1861, 1871; Gaskell, 1968, 141, 165) The sheepfank, Site 10, on the bank of the Allt a’ Chonaich, was constructed some time before 1872, as was another beside Allt an Fhaing to the SE of Uileann House. (OS 1st ed. 6” map; Robertson, 2003, Site 1) The drainage ditches, Site No. 5, were possibly dug as “sheep drains”, documented elsewhere on Achranich Estate, at Claggan and Srath Shuardail, in the 1850’s. (Achranich Estate Farm ledger 1853-57) Uileann had been part of the large Kinlochaline Estate belonging to Maclean of Drimnin until his bankruptcy in 1799-1800. (Gaskell, 1968, 141) It then changed hands, as part of Achranich Estate, a couple of times before being acquired by Octavius Henry Smith in 1845, in whose family it remained into the 20th century. In the 1950’s a programme of softwood forestry planting was undertaken by Ardtornish Estate, initially partly to provide shelter belts for stock. (Raven, 1986, 2) Uillean was ploughed, fenced and planted by contractors in 1971-3. (op.cit., 3-4)

Page 8: Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record Society. Philip Gaskell 1968: Morvern Transformed, Cambridge. Innes, C, 1854: Origines

J.G.Robertson. Ardtornish. September 2010. 7

5. Results of the Survey. Twelve archaeological sites, comprising 24 individual monuments, were recorded in a desk-based and walkover survey of part of the White Glen, Ardtornish Estate. Five sites, identified in the desk-based survey, were not recorded in the field; these have either been destroyed by the forestry ploughing (or 19th century sheep drains) or could not be located in the present forest conditions. All the sites are mostly associated with the old settlements, noted above, or the later sheep-farming enterprise, which dominated the White Glen in the 19th century. 6. Gazetteer. (Ten-figure grid references are provided for those sites recorded in the field but eight-figure grid references for those sites identified only in the desk-based survey.) Site 1. ?Circular Feature. NGR NM 7516 5052 A possible circular feature was noted on air photos just within the NW side of the Uileann plantation but was not located on the ground in 2003 or during the present survey. The feature may either be natural or may have been destroyed by forestry ploughing and planting. Refs: AP 106G/Scot/UK 101; Frame 3284; Date 19.5.1946; Scale 1:10,000. Impact Assessment: This site lies close to the proposed pipeline but is no longer (or never was) extant. Mitigation: No action is required. Site 2. “Old Sheillins”. NGR NM 7536 5066 (See Fig. 3) Four “Old Sheillins” are marked on the 1815 Plan of the lands of Achranich, arranged in two groups of two, at the confluence of Allt Buidhe Beag and Allt Buidhe Mor. These were not located on the ground in 2003 or during the present survey; they may have disappeared prior to any forestry ploughing and planting as “no remains” were recorded by Gaskell in 1968. Refs: SMR NM75SE0004. NMRS NM 75 SE 2.

Plan of the lands of Achranich, surveyed 1815 by Alexander Langlands. Gaskell, P: 1968 Morvern Transformed, Cambridge, p141. Impact Assessment: This site is far enough away from the proposed pipeline and is not at risk. Mitigation: No action is required. Site 3. ?Circular Feature. NGR NM 7546 5057 A possible circular feature was noted on air photos on the SW side of Allt Buidhe Beag within the Uileann plantation, but was not located on the ground in 2003 or during the present survey. The feature may either be natural or may have been destroyed by forestry ploughing and planting. Refs: AP 106G/Scot/UK 101; Frame 3284; Date 19.5.1946; Scale 1:10,000. Impact Assessment: This site lies over 100m from the proposed pipeline and, in any case, is no longer (or never was) extant. Mitigation: No action is required. Site 4. ?Structure. NGR NM 7570 5039 A possible rectangular structure is visible on air photos on the SW side of Allt Buidhe Beag within the Uileann plantation, to the SE of Site No. 13, but was not located on the ground in 2003 or during the present survey. The feature may either be natural or may have been destroyed by forestry ploughing and planting.

Page 9: Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record Society. Philip Gaskell 1968: Morvern Transformed, Cambridge. Innes, C, 1854: Origines

J.G.Robertson. Ardtornish. September 2010. 8

Refs: AP 106G/Scot/UK 101; Frame 3284; Date 19.5.1946; Scale 1:10,000. Impact Assessment: This site lies close to the proposed pipeline but is no longer (or never was) extant. Mitigation: No action is required. Site 5. Drainage Ditches. NGR (centre) NM 7555 4994 A series of ditches, covering the whole area of the Uileann plantation, is visible on the 1946 air photos. Pre-1946 ditches must belong to an earlier episode than the forestry operations, which did not commence until 1971. They may have been part of a large-scale programme of the digging of “sheep drains”, which was undertaken on Achranich Estate in the 1850’s and 1860’s. (Achranich Estate Farm ledgers 1853-7; 1858-65) These drains cannot now be distinguished from the forestry ploughing which covers the whole of the survey area. Refs: AP 106G/Scot/UK 101; Frame 3284; Date 19.5.1946; Scale 1:10,000. Achranich Estate Farm ledgers 1853-7; 1858-65. Impact Assessment: This site will be affected by the proposed pipeline. Mitigation: The ditches can no longer be distinguished and no action is required. Site 6. Fence. NGR W end (within survey area) NM 76144 50553 E end (within survey area) NM 77221 50038 The remains of an iron post and wire fence run alongside Allt Buidhe Mor, mostly on the North bank, though crossing to the South bank just below the Intake at NM 77137 50091.The fence originally had four strands of wire and was constructed between 1872 and 1900 as it is depicted on the OS 2nd Ed. 6” map but not on the 1st Ed. It presumably marked the boundary between Uileann, part of Ardtornish Estate, and Alltachonaich, which was part of Kingairloch Estate until 1900. (Gaskell, 1968, 166) Refs: OS 2nd Ed. 6” Map, 1900. Impact Assessment: The fence will be cut by the proposed pipeline. Mitigation: The site is already ruinous and is not of any great antiquity, so no action is required. Site 7. Dyke. NGR N end NM 76087 51024 S end NM 76066 50947

A substantial earth and stone dyke, up to 2.50m in width and 1m in height, runs roughly southwards from Allt a’ Chonaich, a short distance upstream from the waterfall. The dyke is most substantial at the North end, where it is covered in dense bracken. It follows a curvilinear route to the unnamed burn to the South to NM 76080 50946, where it may continue along the North bank of that burn. It may have enclosed arable ground and slight traces of rig and furrow are visible on

aerial photographs on the eastern side of the dyke, though no evidence could be detected on the ground. It was presumably associated with Alltachonaich township, Site 12. (Photo from S on South side of burn) Refs: APs 106G/UK/101; Frame 3282. 106G/UK/35; Frame 5179. Impact Assessment: This site is not at risk from the present scheme. Mitigation: No action is required.

Page 10: Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record Society. Philip Gaskell 1968: Morvern Transformed, Cambridge. Innes, C, 1854: Origines

J.G.Robertson. Ardtornish. September 2010. 9

Site 8. Dyke. NGR N end NM 76238 50898 S end NM 76235 50825

An earth and stone dyke, up to 2.50m in width and 0.50m in height, runs approximately NW-SE from an unnamed tributary of Allt a’ Chonaich. The dyke is most substantial at the North end, where it consists of an earthen bank with stones on the outer, eastern face. It follows a curvilinear route up to the top of the stream gully at NM 76269 50853 and then curves southwards in a less substantial form, 1.70m in width, across relatively level ground. At NM 76259 50832 it turns westwards to NM 7625

50825, where it peters out, though it is possible that grassy knolls at NM 76212 5082, NM 76188 50831 and NM 76192 50856 mark the continuation of this feature. If so, the dyke may have formed an enclosure, approximately oval in plan. It probably enclosed arable ground, though no traces were detected on the ground. It was presumably associated with Alltachonaich township, Site 12. (Photo of East end of dyke, from E at NM 76238 50898) Refs: APs 106G/UK/101; Frame 3282 106G/UK/35; Frame 5179. Impact Assessment: This site is within range of the proposed pipeline between Allt a’ Chonaich and Allt Buidhe Mor. Mitigation: This site is to be avoided. Site 9. Enclosed arable ground. NGR N corner NM 76554 50779 S corner NM 76584 50727 An area of rig and furrow, roughly rectangular in plan, 60m NW-SE by 24m, is situated on the NE bank of an unnamed tributary of Allt a’ Chonaich. The rigs, 1.20m in width and 0.30m in height, are separated by furrows, 0.30 in width, and are oriented NE-SW. The four corners of the rigs are at NM 76554 50779, NM 76530 50748, NM 76584 50727 and NM 76589 50739. This area is partially enclosed by an earth and stone dyke, 1.30m in width and 0.40m in height, which runs northwestwards from the top of the steep-sided gully on the North side of the burn at NM 76578 50717 to NM 76572 50758, where it peters out. The site was presumably associated with Alltachonaich township, Site 12.

Rig and furrow, from NW. Dyke, from SSE at NM 76591 50747. Refs: APs 106G/UK/101; Frame 3282 106G/UK/35; Frame 5179.

Page 11: Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record Society. Philip Gaskell 1968: Morvern Transformed, Cambridge. Innes, C, 1854: Origines

J.G.Robertson. Ardtornish. September 2010. 10

Impact Assessment: This site is within range of the proposed pipeline between Allt a’ Chonaich and Allt Buidhe Mor. Mitigation: This site is to be avoided. Site 10. Sheepfank. NGR (centre) NM 76669 51123 A well-built but partly dilapidated sheepfank is situated on the SE bank of Allt a’ Chonaich. It consists of a round-angled rectangular enclosure, 23m NE-SW by 13m, divided into three unequal compartments. A partition wall, 7m from the NE end encloses a long narrow compartment, itself subdivided by another partition, 2.50m from the NW end. The “race” was through this latter compartment, with an entrance over a step from the main largest compartment and exit through a gap in the NW exterior wall. The wall has a pronounced batter, tapering from 0.80m at the base to 0.50m at the top and is best preserved on the NW and SE sides, where it survives to a maximum height of 1.50m, probably close to its original extent. An entrance, 2m in width, opens through the SW side. A small cell, 1.80m NW-SE by 1.40m, abuts the internal face of the western corner, probably added at a later date. Refs: OS 1st Ed. 6” Map Sheet Argyllshire LV, 1875.

Sheepfank, from NW. Masonry on inner NW wall, from SE. Refs: APs 106G/UK/101; Frame 4036. 106G/UK/35; Frame 5179. Impact Assessment: This site is within range of the proposed pipeline from Intake 2 between Allt a’ Chonaich and Allt Buidhe Mor. Mitigation: This site is to be avoided. Site 11. Drainage Ditches. NGR (approx. midpoint) NM 76659 51350 At least three long drains are detectable in the relatively level area to the West of the proposed aqueduct between Intakes 2 and 3. Now almost choked with grass, they are visible mainly as a change in vegetation. The drains appear on aerial photographs, dating to 1967 but not on those of the 1940’s, indicating that they were dug between these dates. a) A drain, 0.15m in width and 0.40m in depth curves to WSW from NM 76684 51381 to NM 76656 51379 and beyond. b) 25m to the SE, another drain, 0.15m in width and 0.40m in depth, runs southwestwards from NM 76661 51361 c) A third drain, 0.15m in width and 0.40m in depth, curves to the SW from NM 76672 51369 to NM 76645 51416 and beyond. Refs: OS 67 322; Frame 249. Impact Assessment: The drains are close to the proposed aqueduct between Intakes 2 and 3. Mitigation: This feature is of recent origin and no action is required.

Page 12: Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record Society. Philip Gaskell 1968: Morvern Transformed, Cambridge. Innes, C, 1854: Origines

J.G.Robertson. Ardtornish. September 2010. 11

Site 12. Alltachonaich Township. NGR (House a) NM 75504 51145 A township, consisting of two stone houses and the remains of at least four other structures is situated on either side of an unnamed burn, to the SW of and parallel to, Allt a’ Chonaich Burn. The buildings are surrounded by a head dyke, Sites 12g and h, and the township is associated with a series of dykes and arable ground, Sites 12i, 12j, 7, 8 and 9, which stretch upstream along the unnamed burn and on the Allt a’ Chonaich.

Fig. 4: Plan of Site 12 Alltachonaich Township.

Page 13: Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record Society. Philip Gaskell 1968: Morvern Transformed, Cambridge. Innes, C, 1854: Origines

J.G.Robertson. Ardtornish. September 2010. 12

The place-name is first recorded in 1509 and a settlement, named Aldihonnich, of at least six buildings surrounded by arable ground was depicted on Roy’s map of 1747-55. (See Fig. 2) The old township economy was supplanted by sheep farming in the earlier 19th century; two shepherds were in residence in 1851 and the site was abandoned by 1861, replaced by the cottage at NM 7486 5068. (Census 1851, 1861; Gaskell, 1968, 165) The buildings are situated some distance from the proposed pipeline and hydro development. However, some associated dykes and arable ground, principally Sites 7, 8 and 9, are close to the route of the proposed pipeline from Intake 2. Refs: Roy’s Map, 1747-55 – shows at least six buildings surrounded by arable. Langlands OS 1st Ed. 6” Map Inverness-shire LV, 1875 – shows a, d, h and i. OS 1:10,000, 1974 – shows a, d, h and i.

OS Explorer 383, 2002 – shows a, d, h, and i. AP 106G/UK/35; Frame 5179 – shows a, d, g, h and i.

Site 12a. House. NGR NM 75504 51145 A dilapidated round-angled rectangular house, 10.30m NE-SW by 4.70m, is situated 9m to the South of a steep-sided gully, containing a small unnamed burn. The wall of coursed drystone masonry is best-preserved at the East corner, where it survives to a height of 1.30m externally, but is mostly reduced to a height of 0.70m. The wall has a slight batter, tapering from a width of 0.70m at the base to 0.60m at the top, and has been built up on boulder plinths at the W, N and E corners. There is no evidence of cruck slots, though the wall has collapsed around their likely locations. A terrace, now grass-covered and 1.10m in width, extends beyond the NE end and may have originally continued along the NW side, where a doorstep indicates the entrance, 0.55m in width. A small annexe or earlier phase of the house extends, 7.40m beyond the SW end.

House Site 12a, from SW. Boulder plinth at N Corner, from WNW. Site 12b. Possible Structure. NGR NM 75469 51110

A sub-rectangular level “floor”, 6.10m NE-SW by 3.60m, dug into relatively level ground to the SE of the house, Site 12a, may be the remains of an early structure. It is defined by low earthen banks, 0.70m in width and 0.30m in height, on the NW, SW and SE sides and by rising ground on the East side. (Photo from SW)

Page 14: Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record Society. Philip Gaskell 1968: Morvern Transformed, Cambridge. Innes, C, 1854: Origines

J.G.Robertson. Ardtornish. September 2010. 13

Site 12c. Structure. NGR NM 75463 51200

A dilapidated round-angled rectangular structure, 8.20m E-W by 5.20m, is situated 5m to the SSE of Site 12d, and may represent an early phase of the farmstead. It consists of a basal layer of large stones and boulders, suggesting that it was either the foundation for a turf or creel house or that the stones were removed for the construction of the house, Site 12d. The wall is best-preserved on the South side, where an inner and outer face of boulders, 0.80m in width and

0.50m in height, survives at the eastern end. The structure has been cut into the slope so that the North side is defined mainly by a break in slope. The western and eastern ends consist of grassed-over stone walls, 0.80m in width and 0.30m in height. A large boulder, 1.30m by 0.80m and 0.80m in height, lies in the NE corner of the interior. (Photo of SW corner, from W) Site 12d. House. NGR NM 75454 51214 A substantial well-built, though now dilapidated, house is situated on the North bank of an unnamed burn. The round-angled rectangular house, 13.10m E-W by 5.40m, is defined by coursed drystone masonry. The walls have a pronounced batter, tapering from a width of 0.80m at the base to 0.65m at the top. They survive best at the SW and SE corners, where they reach a height of 1.50m and 1.30m externally, though most of the wall is reduced to a height of between 0.40m and 0.70m. The house has been set into the slope and is raised up on boulder plinths at the SW and SE corners. An entrance, 0.90m in width, opens through the North side. Two cruck slots survive: a) in the S wall, 0.17m in width and 0.20m in depth, is situated 3.50m from the East end, 0.40m above present floor level. a) in the E end wall, 0.16m in width and 0.16m in depth, is situated 1.80m from the S end, 0.40m above the present floor level Two other small areas of internal collapse of the South wall, possibly indicating the position of other crucks, suggest that a cruck frame of four or five couples originally supported the roof. A small shelter, 1m by 1m, and defined by walls, 0.50m in width, was later added to the inside of the SW corner.

House, 12d, from W. Cruck slot, a) in South wall, from N.

Page 15: Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record Society. Philip Gaskell 1968: Morvern Transformed, Cambridge. Innes, C, 1854: Origines

J.G.Robertson. Ardtornish. September 2010. 14

Site 12e. House. NGR NM 75482 51219

The remains of a round-angled rectangular house, 9.70m NNE-SSW by 5.60m, are situated on top of a small knoll, to the ENE of and above, the house, Site 12d. It is defined by walls of earth and stoner, which have slumped to a width of c. 1m and stand to a height of 0.50m. The walls are completely covered in grass apart from a few stones and three prominent boulders at the east corner. The interior slopes slightly from NW to SE. An entrance opens through the WNW side.

(Photo from SSW) Site 12f. ?Demolished Structure. NGR NM 75520 51214

A long narrow heap of stones, 6.10m NNE-SSW by 3m, is situated on the North bank of an unnamed burn, to the East of houses, Sites 12c-e. The heap reaches a height of 0.90m and consists of loose stones at the SSW end, though is grass-covered at the NNE end. The sub-rectangular outline suggests that it is a demolished house, rather than simply a clearance heap. (Photo from SSW)

Sites 12g and h. Two substantial earthen dykes, Sites 12g and h, associated with the Alltachonaich township, are situated on the North and South banks of an unnamed burn. The OS 1st Ed 6” map, OS 1:10,000 and OS Explorer maps all suggest that the dyke on the South bank, Site 12h, is part of a long boundary along with Site 12i, which runs roughly E-W and crosses the unnamed burn. However, examination on the ground and of aerial photographs indicates that Sites 12g and h comprise the head dyke, which encloses the immediate surroundings of the township buildings. Site12g. Head Dyke, part of. NGR (W end) NM 75343 51229 E end NM 75646 51143 A substantial earthen dyke encloses the North side of Alltachonaich township. It runs from the unnamed burn at the W end and runs uphill to the NE to a gateway at NM 75466 51284. At this point the dyke measures 2.60m in width and 1.10m in height. The dyke continues to the E, though in a rather less substantial form, reaching c. 1.80m in width and 0.60m in height. It follows a sinuous course, enclosing the buildings, Sites 12c-f, to NM 75559 51277, where it turns to the SE. The dyke is less obvious here, only c. 1m in width and 0.50m in height. However, it turns to the South at NM 75637 51238 and is again more substantial, 2m in width and 0.50m in height. It continues to follow a sinuous course, roughly to the S and SE before plunging down to the burn at NM 75646 51143, opposite the southern element of the head dyke, Site 12h.

Page 16: Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record Society. Philip Gaskell 1968: Morvern Transformed, Cambridge. Innes, C, 1854: Origines

J.G.Robertson. Ardtornish. September 2010. 15

The dyke at NM 75466 51284, from NW. Dyke at E end, from N with 12h and 12i in background, beyond burn. Site 12h. Head Dyke, part of. NGR (W end) NM 75343 51229 E end NM 75636 51138

A substantial earthen dyke encloses the North side of Alltachonaich township. It runs from the unnamed burn at NM 75636 51138, opposite the eastern end of the northern element of the head dyke, Site 12g, and runs to the SW around the buildings on the South bank of the burn, Sites 12a and b. The dyke measures 1.60m in width and 0.60m in height and some stones are visible on the outer, South, face, particularly at the eastern end. It runs to the SW until NM 75524 51082, where it turns

to the West. It is no longer detectable on the ground after NM 75512 51078 but, on aerial photographs, appears to continue to the West and NW to approx. NM 75343 51229, where it arrives at the unnamed burn opposite the West end of Site 12g. (Photo at NM 75595 51105, from SW.) Site 12i. Dyke. NGR (W end) NM 75650 51137 E end NM 75974 51086

A substantial earthen dyke runs along the unnamed burn associated with Alltachonaich township. On the OS 1st Ed 6” map, OS 1:10,000 and OS Explorer maps, it appears that this dyke is part of a longer boundary, along with Site 12h. However, from the evidence on the ground and on aerial photographs, it may be suggested that dykes Sites 12g and h, comprise the head dyke around the immediate surroundings of the Alltachonaich township, and that this

dyke, Site 12i, is a separate boundary, possibly demarcating additional arable ground or outfield.

Page 17: Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record Society. Philip Gaskell 1968: Morvern Transformed, Cambridge. Innes, C, 1854: Origines

J.G.Robertson. Ardtornish. September 2010. 16

The dyke consists of a grass-covered earthen bank, 1.60m in width and 0.50m in height. It runs in a south easterly direction along the South bank of the unnamed burn to NM 75815 51059, where it crosses the burn. It continues to ENE to NM 75910 51044, where it turns sharply to the NE and continues to the Allt a’ Chonaich, stopping at the top of a steep bank, just downstream from the waterfall. A small patch of rig and furrow, Site 12j, is situated between the dyke and the river. (Photo at NM 75650 51137, from W) Site 12j. Rig and Furrow. NGR (midpoint) NM 75684 51118 A small area of rig and furrow, 28m NW-SW by 10m, is situated between the dyke, Site 12i, and the unnamed burn. The rigs measure 1.50m in width and 0.20m in height. Site 12k. Structure. NGR NM 75694 51112

A small dilapidated structure, 4m NNE-SSW by 2.80m, is situated at the NE corner of the rig and furrow, Site 12j. It is best preserved at the NNE and WNW sides, where it is defined by earthen banks, 0.60m in width and 0.30m in height. (Photo from SSW)

Impact Assessment: Site 12a-k is not at risk from the proposed development. Mitigation: No action is required.

Page 18: Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record Society. Philip Gaskell 1968: Morvern Transformed, Cambridge. Innes, C, 1854: Origines

J.G.Robertson. Ardtornish. September 2010. 17

Fig. 5: Plan of the proposed Uileann Hydro Scheme (Map from Hydroplan)

Page 19: Uileann Hydro report...Cregeen, Eric 1963: Inhabitants of the Argyll Estate, 1779, Scottish Record Society. Philip Gaskell 1968: Morvern Transformed, Cambridge. Innes, C, 1854: Origines

J.G.Robertson. Ardtornish. September 2010. 18

Fig 6: Plan of the Archaeological Sites in the area of the proposed Uileann Hydro Scheme. (Extract from OS 1:10,000 Sheets NM75SW and NM75SE) (© Crown copyright 1974. All rights reserved. Licence number 10044103)


Recommended