EHG5739 - Watching brief - Inverness Castle redevelopment (Phase 1)

An archaeological watching brief on a series of geotechnical test pits was carried out by AOC Archaeology Group in 2020-21 as part of the first phase of archaeological works in advance of re-development at Inverness Castle, Inverness. A series of medieval castles and later forts preceded the current buildings that today form Inverness Castle. Originally built in the mid-19th century as a prison and County buildings, the imposing red sandstone occupies a prominent position overlooking the city of Inverness. The watching brief was carried out intermittently between 27th July 2020 – May 31st, 2021, and comprised the monitoring of over 130 small hand-excavated trial pits, two major trial pits to investigate the castle curtain wall foundations, and excavation within the proposed Link building footprint in the courtyard of the current Castle buildings. The deepest deposits encountered on the site were uncovered with the excavation of the wall trial pits. These revealed disturbed midden deposits at a depth of 5m below the ground surface, which included shell and animal bone and disarticulated human remains. The additional trenches within the courtyard identified a portion of wall that predated the current 19th century buildings on site, as well as a vehicle inspection pit and brick culvert likely associated with the 1960s police station based in the former prison. A moderate assemblage of 19th century or later artefact material comprising ceramics, glass, ferrous and other metal objects, slate and other building material, was recovered. Additional watching brief is required for further development works on the Castle site, along with further survey work to document the interior of the buildings prior to renovation works. A small programme of post-excavation work on the current assemblage has been recommended. <1>