EHG5460 - Geophysical survey - Ashton Farm, A96/A9, Inverness

Archaeological geophysical (gradiometer and earth resistivity) survey were undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group in 2018 to investigate the potential for buried archaeological remains on land as part of the A9/A96 Inshes to Smithton scheme near Inverness. An aerial imagery analysis exercise was also undertaken. A total of twelve parcels of land totalling approximately 25.45ha were designated for a magnetometer survey (centred at NH 69863 45203). The survey includes the Scheduled Monument of “Ashton Farm Cottages, ring ditch 415m SW and pit circles 460m WSW of” (SM11535). A second survey was carried out over the Scheduled Monument using resistivity, designed to enhance the results of the magnetometry survey. The results of the surveys have identified a number of definitive pit-like anomalies of archaeological remains which match those depicted in aerial photography. A number of agricultural features have been noted across the site marking ploughing headlands at the edges of fields, as well as field drains. A former field boundary which is visible on historic Ordnance Survey mapping of the area has also been identified in the data. Several modern services were also detected as well as other areas of isolated modern disturbance around field edges. <1>