EHG426 - Walkover survey - Caulfield's Military Road, Altanafeadh to Allt a' Choire Odhair Bhig

An assessment of a section of the C18 military road network was undertaken by Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division (GUARD) during April 1995 at the request of Strathclyde Regional Council on behalf of Scottish Natural Heritage, Central Regional Council and Highland Regional Council. This followed on from the initial survey of three sections of Caulfields Military Way in February and March 1994 (see EHG425). The survey in 1995 covered the section between Altnafeadh (NN 2222 5632) and Allt a' Choire Odhair Bhig (NN 2130 5720), including the Devil's Staircase. This assessment involved the surveying, mapping and recording of the military road, with particular reference to the areas where the West Highland Way utilised the road. The military roads of the eighteenth century Scotland offer an opportunity for research and analysis of a unique feature of Highland historical development. The establishment of military roads in the Scottish Highlands played a major role in allowing the pacification of the Highland clans in the period after the failed Jacobite uprising of 1745-6. The construction of the military road between Stirling and Fort William between 1748-53 under the direction of Major William Caulfield formed an integral link within that system. The method of recording developed for this survey utilised a total station and computer logger, this allowed the accurate locating of not only the line of the military road but all the associated and lateral features within a 20m corridor centred on the military road itself. A second feature-specific level of recording was also employed. This consisted of a substantial programme of photographic recording supplemented by a written description of the general character of the road, as well as the specific features associated with it. The result of this work allowed a series of 1:2500 scale route maps to be developed which allowed a clearer impression of the problems associated with the roadline. <1> See EHG425 for the previously completed assessment of Section C. NOTE: The southern end of the Altnafeadh to Allt a' Choire Odhair Bhig section of the road from where it leaves the modern A82 to pass through an area of woodland and grounds belonging to a private residence was not surveyed. For some reason, presumably because the brief included taking particular reference to where the modern line of the West Highland Way utilised the military road, the line of the current West Highland Way from the A82 northwards to the point where it joins the original military road was included in the survey even though the line is completely modern [IS-L 27/01/2026].