EHG5957 - Watching brief and metal detector survey - Muirfield Farm, Westhill, Culloden

An archaeological metal detecting survey and monitored topsoil strip were carried out by GUARD Archaeology Limited in 2022 at Muirfield Farm, Westhill, Culloden, on an area proposed for the development of a new house and access road. The work took place over all of the approximately 3,050 m² development area. No significant archaeological features were encountered. The fieldwork identified three possible features within the house footprint area, and nothing of archaeological significance elsewhere. The three features were excavated and recorded, but it is very likely that rather than being archaeological, they were most likely the remains of disturbed stones. A large number of metal finds were recovered during the metal detecting work, but the majority of them seems to relate to farming practices, with pieces of machinery and plough, as well as lumps of iron found throughout the field. Several horseshoes recovered may also relate to farming taking place within the field. A large number of iron fencing pieces dominated the finds throughout the NW/SE road and seems more to do with the past clearing of the drainage ditch along the edge of the field than anything else. A small possible button, as well as a metal bell shaped object were possibly of interest, but in general, the metal finds recovered suggested a field of farming work more than anything else. <1>