EHG6415 - Excavation - quarry extension, Balblair, Beauly

An archaeological excavation was undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group in 2025 within a proposed extension site for Balblair Quarry near Beauly. The extension area, which was located under dense vegetation and mature trees, contained the remnants of a prehistoric landscape that once covered most of the area now subsumed by Balblair Quarry and Substation. This phase of works, which followed on from evaluation of several features (see EHG6325), sought to provide evidence to interpret each of the sites through excavation and the recovery of artefacts and samples. Site 1, previously identified as an enclosure, was interpreted as a probable roundhouse and consisted of a very degraded, subcircular stone bank that had suffered serious damage from mature tree root systems and modern disturbance. Four slots and one interior quadrant were excavated; no occupation deposits were identified and minimal structural evidence was encountered. Site 5, previously identified as a burial cairn, comprised a large stone cairn forming two discrete cairn features. Inconclusive structural evidence was identified under both features, one of which covered a pit measuring 1.2m long by 0.8m wide. No evidence for burials was recovered. Sixteen smaller cairns were present within the extension area. Approximately one-half of twelve of these sites was excavated (Sites 2-4, 6- 8, 10, 13, 15-17, and 19). Most of the cairns, all of which had suffered disturbance from tree root systems, overlay deposits containing evidence for burning, which was interpreted as prehistoric pre-clearance vegetation burning. A small assemblage of possible worked quartz stone was recovered from the sites. A programme of post-excavation analysis will be undertaken on the soil samples and stone artefacts. Archaeological monitoring during site clearance has been required by the Highland Council Historic Environment Team. <1>