Battlefield blow as ‘pits’ probed
No human remains at Killiecrankie
Protesters have been left disappointed after no human remains were found in the area of Killiecrankie battlefield known as ‘the pits’.
At the request of Historical Environment Scotland (HES), revelations about what’s under the ground were made at the Soldiers of Killiecrankie event last weekend.
Jonathan Dempsey, an archaeologist with Jacobs, the consultant engineers employed by Transport Scotland on the Killiecrankie to Glen Garry section of the A9 dualling programme, spoke about recent archaeological findings on several mysterious pits lying in the path of the controversial route.
Mr Dempsey confirmed no human remains had been found on these parts of Killiecrankie battlefield.
The preliminary results for the work done in June is a blow for protesters hoping the review may have uncovered war graves.
George MacLean of the KilliecrAnkie1689 campaign group said: “We are no further forward in understanding where the fallen are buried.
“Over 2000 died at the Battle of Killiecrankie, but the resting place of only one is known. Viscount Dundee is buried in consecrated ground at St Bride’s Kirk near Blair Castle.
“The preliminary results indicate that none of the mystery pits that were first discovered in 2016 are graves.
“A new pit was discovered in June 2018 in another part of the core area of the battlefield. But it has not been investigated fully because it is just beyond the boundary of the proposed construction. Who knows what else is still undiscovered? There are more unknowns than knowns.”
Mr MacLean continued: “The additional fieldwork that was done in June was only in limited areas on the path of the proposed new road. We are still unable to make any comparative analysis. So it is impossible to do what Historic Environment Scotland demanded and judge if the overall alignment of the proposed road is the most appropriate.”
Mr Dempsey also confirmed that no additional work has been done on the area referred to as ‘Lagnabuaig,’ which is in the direct path of the proposed road.
Lagnabuaig is listed in the Inventory of Historic Battlefields, the record of the battle maintained by Historic
Diggers dug up places for ground excavations at several spots at the battlefield site in February
Environment Scotland.
Mr MacLean hit back: “The significant area of Lagnabuaig which will be obliterated under the proposal has not been investigated at all.
“Jacobs and Transport Scotland hardly acknowledge the existence of this area which is documented in the Inventory of Historic Battlefields as a sniping position.”
He pointed to how greater protection for key sites like Killiecrankie and Culloden has been in the public eye this week adding: “The National Trust for Scotland today asked the government to save Scotland’s heritage by overhauling the planning system.
“Even so, the threat to our heritage at Killiecrankie would remain acute because the A9 project does not fall within the planning system.
“There is a real danger that this damaging proposal could be rubberstamped by Scottish ministers. That is why we are campaigning for a review of Transport Scotland’s plan.”