EHG6220 - Watching brief - external groundworks, Kirkmichael, Balblair

A watching brief was undertaken by Highland Archaeology Services between August 2016 and August 2017 at Kirkmichael, Balblair, throughout ground-breaking works to enable installation of drains, paths, services and signage as part of a project to restore the bulding and improve access. Twenty monumental grave ledger slabs were recorded during the watching brief. The majority of these were inscribed and dated from the 17th and 18th century. Three 17th-century slabs featured an inscribed claymore sword, which appears to be part of a local tradition during the post-Reformation period to include a known but suitably secular motif on monumental grave slabs. All the slabs were able to be preserved in situ. <1> Excavations were also undertaken within the building to enable the floors to be lowered - see EHG6221.