Site Event/Activity record EHG83 - Trial trenching - Aberarder A86 Road

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by CFA during February 1998, within the Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve. The evaluation was commissioned by Historic Scotland on behalf of the National Roads Directorate, to be comleted in advance of proposed road improvements to the A86 between Aberarder and Rubha na Magach. The objectives of the project were to locate, characterise and report n any archaeological remains or features in the area affected by road construction. The trial trenching strategy was designed to reflect the local environment and the potential archaeological resource. However, the high water table resulting from result rains rendered low-lying areas impossible to excavate. Eleven trenches were excavated by machine over as representative an area as possible. The vegetation cover and depth of topsoil varied with the terrain. The evaluation area was substantially covered in scree with no sign of any land clearance for cultivation or grazing. <1>