Settlement Form and Evolution in the Central Highlands of Scotland, ca. 1100–1900

Abstract

Since 1996, archaeologists from Glasgow University have been involved in a research project on the north shores of Loch Tay in the Central Highlands of Scotland. This work-known as the Ben Lawers Historic Landscape Project-was specifically focused on medieval and later settlement remains. For the purposes of this paper, the results of the archaeological work are contrasted with work from similar sites elsewhere in Scotland. The sweeping changes in tenurial, social and cultural spheres, known as the Improvements, of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries are considered in relation to the preceding six hundred years.

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“…However, the sump and small byre at the south-west end of the building find no parallels within the group. Even though the excavation of T4 was limited, the presence of a central hearth to the right on entering the building sits well with evidence from elsewhere in the Highlands (see Atkinson 2010 for discussion). The lack of an entrance in T30 is undoubtedly the biggest problem in its interpretation as a domestic structure, although the types of taxa recovered from its hearth-pit would seem to support human occupation.…”

“…It is also notable that the buildings discussed in this chapter exhibited no consistency in form between them; even their construction techniques seemed to differ. The reasons for this are pursued further at the end of the chapter, as are the issues of dating sites which were occupied prior to the great influx of mass-produced goods at the end of the 18th century (Atkinson 2010). …”

“…SAIR 62 | the range for Pitcarmick-type structures (Atkinson 2010). It seems likely that those who occupied T17 & T16C and possibly even T16B were in residence contemporaneously.…”

“…It is tempting to suggest that Phase 2 is related to the period of re-division c 1797, but there is little to support this view. In fact, the lack of artefactual material from Floor P15085 may indicate that the building was renovated prior to the introduction of disposable material culture into the area during the final decades of the 18th century (Atkinson 2010). The focus of the Phase 2 building seems to have changed with the addition of the north-east cell.…”

“…This would imply that the building was abandoned shortly after 1769, as traces of at least three vessels (AE, CAW & IU) manufactured between the 1770s and 1790s (see 7.4.4.1 above) were recovered from post-abandonment layers. Although not conclusive, the overall picture from Loch Tayside suggests that ceramic vessels were introduced late, with few vessels appearing before 1800 (Atkinson 2010). In consequence, it seems likely that abandonment of T30 must have occurred some time in the 1790s at the latest.…”