EHG5249 - Topographic Survey - Dellmore of Kingussie

An earthwork and topographic survey was undertaken by Orkney Research Centre for Archaeology (ORCA) in 2019 at Dellmore of Kingussie, Inverness-shire. This study identified a number of archaeologically significant sites within the proposed development area, including a series of earthworks associated with a nineteenth-century rifle range, recommended the undertaking of a detailed survey of both the immediate environs of the target mound and the line of shooting position markers shown on historical cartographic sources. The survey area measured approximately 17Ha (0.17km2) within the River Spey flood plain and identified a number of discrete earthworks. These included the target mound with an adjacent series of trenches, pits and mounds, along with a series of earthworks marking the shooting positions. Generally, the mounds were interpreted as being later dumps of material, and the cuts, trenches and pits were considered to be the remnants of rifle range features used as areas for the siting of targets and associated apparatus, along with access trenches and shelters for those responsible for operating and replacing the targets. Much of the detail of these earthworks had been denuded over time or obscured by the later dumping of material. Linear earthwork features, identified as shooting positions, were located at ranges of approximately 100, 200, 300 and 525yards from the target mound and its earthworks. These were eroded, and obscured by the sedge and grass vegetation. No photographic evidence of these shooting positions is known to exist. Intervening positions at 350, 400, 450 and 500 yards may have been lost through the westward movement of the River Spey’s main channel. The northeast corner of the Site was seen to be extremely boggy at the time of the survey and clearly prone to flooding and waterlogging. No features associated with the firing range were identified in this area. <1>