EHG5165 - Walkover survey and watching brief - Allt Lagain Bhain, Dundreggan, Glen Moriston

An archaeological project involving a preliminary desk-based assessment and walkover survey and subsequent watching brief of geotechnical test pits and trial trenches was undertaken by Highland Archaeology Sevices in 2018 in advance of the development of a temporary road bridge and carriageway rerouting at Allt Lagain Bhain, Dundreggan, Glen Moriston. The project was designed to identify and record all significant heritage assets that could be affected during the course of proposed geotechnical and construction phase engineering works. The walkover survey identified and recorded the extensive remains of an abandoned rural settlement site that incorporates at least three former longhouse dwellings plus a series of associated outbuildings, yards, retaining walls and earthworks, all of drystone construction. These structures are considered to represent significant and previously unrecorded heritage assets that justify protection and preservation in-situ during the course of development or, if preservation insitu is not possible, appropriate archaeological excavation and recording in advance of their destruction. Micro-siting of geotechnical pits ensured minimal impact upon identified heritage assets during GI test pitting but indicated the potential for further buried archaeological deposits and features relating to the abandoned settlement. Recommendations were made for future archaeological mitigation in the event that the preservation of identified heritage assets is not possible through construction design. <1>