EHG4638 - Trial Trenching - Walled Garden, Cromarty

AOC Archaeology undertook an archaeological evaluation prior to the development for new houses on a land parcel in the northwest corner of the Walled Garden located on Miller Road in Cromarty, Ross-shire (NGR NH 7919 6725). A total of 13% of the proposed development site, enclosing an area of 1,677 m2 , was evaluated. The evaluation revealed considerable archaeological remains confined to the northern quarter of the site, including a probable grain drying kiln, a probably 17th century building with a cobbled floor and numerous pits and post-holes. Large fragments of a ceramic oven were also recovered from fill at the base of the garden wall and infrequent sherds of medieval and later pottery and one piece of a stone spindle whirl were found in various contexts. The area was well-protected beneath deep topsoil and the sites are related to multiple periods of occupation, probably late medieval / post-medieval in date and possibly to industrial activity related to a malting site in Cromarty. <1>