EHG6216 - Trial trenching - new house plot, Kilmore Road, Drumnadrochit

An archaeological trial trenching evaluation was carried out by AOC Archaeology Group in 2023 prior to the construction of a new house at Kilmore Road, Drumnadrochit. The requirement arose as the site was located immediately south of a larger development where significant buried prehistoric archaeology had been found including a Neolithic structure, Bronze Age cist and round barrow. Fieldwork was carried out on 22nd February where five trenches were excavated. Four trenches comprising 80m² were originally proposed to cover 10% of the development area (total 690m²). Following on from the first four trenches and additional fifth trench was opened at the request of the onsite archaeologist. This all equated to 45 linear metres using a 2m trenching bucket and a total area of 115m². Initially two prehistoric pits were located. The site was later revisited on 2nd March 2023 for inspection following full topsoil removal where two additional prehistoric pits were identified and recorded outside the original trench locations. Samples from the pits contained charcoal and burnt hazelnut shells. A small programme of post-excavation work will be recommended. <1>