A rare insight into life in the north of Scotland before The Highland Clearances has been uncovered as part of a major electricity transmission project.
A late eighteenth century longhouse – a narrow stone house with a turf roof - was discovered near Loch Buidhe in Sutherland during works on a new electricity substation.
Now a team of professional archaeologists and amateur enthusiasts has been drafted in by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission to excavate the site and record the valuable historic information it holds.
The 43-metre longhouse is believed to have been inhabited from the late eighteenth century and ended around the middle of the nineteenth century. The discovery has enabled arhaeologist and historians to learn more about life in Sutherland before The Clearances.
Martin Cook, of AOC Archaeology said: “The remains of significant numbers of longhouses are known right across Sutherland but very few have so far been excavated.
“Buildings of this type represent and important chapter in the pre-clearance history of the country and this was a valuable opportunity to learn a bit more about their development and the lives of their inhabitants.
SHE Transmission Environmental Adviser Kenneth Reid said: “Our early walk-over surveys at Loch Buidhe identified the remains of a long stone structure, close to where an underground cable connection will be provided into the proposed substation.
“The best solution was to bring in expert archaeologists to carry out a full excavation and create a detailed record. We were very pleased the opportunity arose for local volunteers to get involved in the dig and very grateful to those who took up the challenge.
“The results will hopefully be of interest to local people and of use to researchers seeking a wider understanding of Highland life during this period of rapid social and economic change.”
Researchers at Historic Scotland have made a connection between the longhouse and documents from an 1815 land dispute which suggest that the building may have been known as Wester Torbreck.
The dig has unearthed several notable finds including ceramics, an iron cauldron and a number of brass buttons.
The most common layout for a longhouse was a building divided into two halves, with one half used as a dwelling and the other as a byre.
Rob Engl, the senior archaeologist on the site will give a presentation on the findings of the excavation as part of the Highland Archaeology Festival in October. Further information is available from archaeology@highland.gov.uk