EHG5997 - Geophysical survey - A9 Dualling, Glen Garry to Dalraddy

Geophysical surveys (c. 101ha of magnetometry and c. 3.43ha of an earth resistance survey) were undertaken by Headland Archaeology in 2020 within the Land Made Available (LMA) for Project 7 (Glen Garry to Dalwhinnie), Project 8 (Dalwhinnie to Crubenmore) and Project 9 (Crubenmore to Kincraig) of the A9 Dualling Programme. Surveys were undertaken for areas where access was granted, and ground conditions were suitable for the survey. The proximity of many of the areas to the existing A9 had a noticeably adverse effect on the magnetic results. Strong and varied magnetic responses from natural and geological features across the survey area also made the interpretation of some parcels and specific anomalies difficult. Anomalies of either likely, or possible, archaeological potential were identified in five parcels in Project 9, in three areas in Project 8 with two further two examples in Project 7. Seven anomalies were recorded in areas of known cultural heritage assets. Few findings were made in areas outside those with known cultural heritage assets. In many instances the presence of former structures was only evidenced in the geophysics results by localised areas of magnetic disturbance and little additional information about the sites could be provided. In some areas no discernible anomalies which could be attributed to known cultural heritage assets were identified. The earth resistance surveys broadly corroborated the findings of the magnetometer survey in areas where both techniques were undertaken. The majority of the areas subject to geophysical survey contained no anomalies of any archaeological potential and therefore, on the basis of the geophysical survey, were assessed to be of low archaeological potential. <1>