EHG5818 - Trial trenching - proposed all-weather pitch, Culloden Academy

A programme of archaeological assessment was undertaken by Highland Archaeology Services in 2022 commissioned by Morrison Construction in advance of the development of an All Weather Pitch and muster point at Culloden Academy, Highland. The proposed developments lie within an offshoot of the designated Battlefield at Culloden (BTL6) as well as the designed landscape of Culloden House (GDL00122) and within the view of the A listed Culloden House (LB8039). Due to the sensitivity of these three designated assets a Setting Assessment with possible design mitigation was proposed (see EHG5816), as well as trial trenching and a metal detecting survey, in order to assess the potential for direct and setting impacts upon these sites. No archaeological features were recorded during the evaluation of seven trenches across the area for the proposed muster point and All Weather Pitch. Modern gravel and plastic drainage ditches were noted at intervals, running east to west, within each the trenches, which highlights the area had possibly been previously landscaped for the current playing fields. No further work is recommended for this site. <1> See EHG5817 for the metal detecting survey.