EHG5950 - Trial trenching - new house plot, Culrain, Ardgay

An archaeological survey and evaluation were carried out by AOC Archaeology Group in 2022 at a site proposed for development of a new dwelling and outbuilding at Upper Burnside, Culrain, Ardgay. The evaluation was required due to the presence of the site within a probable prehistoric field system containing clearance cairns and the possible site of a hut circle. Fieldwork was carried out in September 2022, where four hand-excavated trenches were dug to evaluate the archaeological potential of four sites located within the proposed development footprint. Three trenches showed that sites interpreted as clearance cairns were correct with the exception of one site, which was a natural mound. There was no significant archaeological material within the clearance cairns. A fourth trench through the remains of a curvilinear stone bank revealed a charcoal-rich deposit on the inside of the bank - representing cultural material associated with the feature, which may have comprised the remains of the putative hut circle previously identified on the site. An archaeological watching brief is recommended for future ground-breaking works, and preservation in situ of the probable hut circle is recommended. <1>