Site Event/Activity record EHG3707 - Evaluation - Sluice, Fort George, Ardersier

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Kirkdale Archaeology in June 2004 of the structure of the channel and tunnel of the sluice on the north side of the fort believed to have been designed to allow the main moat to be flooded for defensive purposes. The structure appeared to be mostly intact, undoubtedly the result of the quality of materials used in its build, and appeared to be contemporary with the original construction of the fort. The difference in height between the floor of the sluice and the existing floor of the moat (1.4m) suggested that the moat would only have had a shallow layer of water, and that only achieved at very high tides. However, a 1796 plan clearly shows a ditch dug along the central line of the moat and linking up at the sluice at both ends. This may well indicate that a narrow, but deep, water-filled channel within the moat may be all that ever flooded. Without excavating the deposits in the moat it would not be possible to ascertain the original level of the channel. <1> For more detail see <2> Note: The entry in DES states that the work was carried out in June 2004 whereas the full published account states November 2004.