EHG5278 - Watching brief - Knocknagael cable undergrounding works (2nd line, Phase 4)

An archaeological watching brief was carried out by Highland Archaeology Services in 2010-11 during excavations for cable undergrounding works associated with the construction of a new electricity substation and associated infrastructure at Knocknagael, Inverness. The cable undergrounding works subject to this watching brief ran from a point north of this site at NH 6548 3919 approximately 870m northwards to where they joined with previously observed areas adjoining the sealing end compound at about NH 6567 3998. The opened area was between 20 and 30m wide. Apart from Feature F28, the remains of a hearth which had no defined cut and consisted of a charcoal rich deposit overlying hearth stones in a hollow, very little archaeology was found during this watching brief, despite the presence within the wider area of a number of significant sites. There was some scattered evidence of 19th -20th c. manuring as might be expected. No dating evidence was recovered. All features were very shallow, and most of the pits and hollows were probably produced by root action and / or post-medieval scrub clearance. The linear features appear to be the result of modern deep ploughing or pan-busting activity. There were no recommendations for follow-up work. <1>