EHG6027 - Watching brief - new haul road, Plot 14, Inverness Campus

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Highland Archaeology Services in 2023 in advance of the development of a haul road to be laid at plot 14 on land directly to the east of the University of the Highlands and Islands Campus, Inverness. The watching brief took place on 6th, 7th and 14th February 2023 in dry, sunny conditions with some overcast spells. The area stripped was approximately 1409m². A small area near the current road to the north east of the fibre exchange was not watched as the ground here was not being excavated. The ground to the north of the exchange and west of the road was also heavily disturbed with a layer of hardcore obscuring the subsoil, in addition this area was disturbed by fibreoptic and electricity cables running across the area between the tracks to the east and west of the site. One feature was recorded. This was a brick built feature thought to be associated with agriculture as according to local knowledge the land was used by the Department of Agriculture for training and other purposes. Seven rubble and two clay drains were also recorded. No artefacts were recovered from the site and none of the deposits, features or finds revealed during the course of this project were considered to be archaeologically significant and no further archaeological work was recommended. <1>