EHG4105 - Test pitting - Glenbeg, Acharacle, Ardnamurchan

Archaeological investigative works, comprising the excavation of thirty-six 0.5m² test pits, was undertaken on a site 50m southeast of Glenbeg, Acharacle, Ardnamurchan, Highland in respect of proposed development works comprising the erection of a distillery, warehousing and visitor centre (planning application no. 12/00017/FUL). A previous desk based assessment and walkover survey (see EHG4103) had recorded a total of 24 archaeological sites (comprising 52 individual monuments). Of the 24 sites noted, one comprised a small collection of flints, which included two flint scrapers and several pieces of worked quartz from the roadside drain and spoil when the track within the survey area was recently upgraded. The test pits were excavated over four separate areas to ensure an adequate evaluation of the areas that would be disturbed by the proposed development. During the course of the works the pits indicated that the majority of the ground was fairly wet in nature with both the topsoil and subsoil containing an element of clay. No archaeological finds that pre-dated the 19th century were located. <1>