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MHG45998 - Farmstead - Lochan Torr Na Nighinn (Brunary Burn)

Summary

Two structures are first shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map. They were subject to excavation as part of the A830 upgrading works.

Type and Period (3)

Protected Status

Full Description

Two rectilinear structures, shown as unroofed on the OS first edition 6-inch (Inverness-shire, Sheet CXXI, 1876) and 1: 10 000 (1975) maps, were located during the course of a field survey by CFAEd in advance of a woodland regeneration programme. The larger structure measured 11m north to south and 6m wide, with its walls surviving to a maximum of 1.5m high and 0.8m thick with rounded corners. There was an entrance c.1m wide in the eastern wall. The second structure was perpendicular to the first and lay 4m to the northeast. It was 8m long, 4m wide and had an entrance 0.8m wide in the southern wall. The walls were 0.5m-0.8m thick an dup to 1m high with rounded corners. <1>

A programme of archaeological trial trenching and test pitting was undertaken at the site by CFA Archaeology between June and July 2005. These took place within the corridor of the proposed A830 Fort William to Mallaig Trunk Road upgrading, between Loch Nan Uamh in the south-east and Arisaig in the north-west. At Brunary Burn, the site of two buildings (Structures 'A' and 'B') and associated features (Site 61) were subject to trenching (Trench A within Structure A and Trench B within Structure 'B') and a linear transect of five test-pits (0.5m by 0.5m) was excavated in the angle between Structures A and B, parallel to the former. Based on the results it was recommended that the remains of this settlement be subject to further excavation to provide further information on the dates, functions, and inter-relationships of the various features identified by survey and sample excavation; and to further investigate the historical, social and economic context of the settlement. <1>

An archaeological excavation was undertaken at the site by CFA Archaeology in Sept-Oct 2005. The farmstead was excavated to try and establish the usage and construction methods employed on the buildings. Both structures were investigated, as well as a considerable area between them. The weather at the time of the excavation (concurrent with that being carried out at a burnt mound at Arisaig - see MHG) was very inclement. Heavy rain caused the burn to rise severely, on one occasion bursting its banks and flooding the site to the thresholds of the buildings. This prevented excavation of a strip of ground next to the bank of the burn in order to keep the burn from repeatedly flooding the site.

The excavation revealed the construction methods used in the building of the houses, internal features of the buildings and associated features in the area between the houses and beyond. The recovered artefacts pointed to a 19th century date for the occupation of the site. The discontinuity in the archaeological record of Lochaber (and of the wider West Highlands) that these houses represent, with previous dwellings being formed of turf and stone has been reported elsewhere. It has been suggested they may be a result of land improvements following the 1745 rebellion and that de-mobbed soldiers, or other government-friendly plantation settlers may be responsible for their construction on what was marginal land. <2>

Structure A (to the E) measured 9.9m x 4.7m in total and was orientated north/south. It was rectangular in plan with rounded external corners, and squared internal corners. It was situated in a cut hollow, possibly a quarry, with a steep slope to the north and west. Was of a superior building method, with three elements to the walls: an inner and outer skin, and a rubble core. The entire interior of Structure A was probably paved.

Structure B (to the W) was a smaller building, measuring 6.9m x 3.7m and orientated approximately east west. It was rectangular in plan with rounded exterior corners and square internal corners. It has not yet been possible to ascertain definitely the function of Structure B, ie whether or not it was a dwelling house, or a building for animals such as a byre, or a store. The narrow width of the doorway and overall size of the building suggests that it could not have been used for larger animals such as cattle. The lack of window cavities in Structure B may be suggestive of a store, although this remains uncertain due to its dilapidated state.

A number of platforms were recorded in the space between the buildings, It suggested continual flooding across this area, and a revetting wall suggested attempts to prevent the site from flooding on a regular basis. <2>

A subsequent watching brief undertaken by CFA Archaeology in 2007 during topsoil stripping recorded no additional features. No earlier structures were evident. <3>

The excavations were subsequently published as SAIR Vol. 35 in 2009. Artefacts recovered included pottery, iron tools, cauldron fragments, slate roofing and clay pipe fragments. The project provided an opportunity to bring together social historical research with archaeological evidence for a somewhat archaeologically under-studied period, and also identified the former inhabitants of the settlement as Angus McEachen and his extended family. The buildings appeared to have been occupied for perhaps a single generation before the family was evicted and moved to new accommodation within the area. <4>

Sources/Archives (4)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NM 6770 8578 (25m by 18m)
Map sheet	NM68NE
Civil Parish	ARISAIG AND MOIDART
Geographical Area	LOCHABER

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (4)

External Links (2)