£500K survey to protect historic sites on A9 dualling route

ARCHAEOLOGY: Work will be carried out ahead of construction

Transport chiefs leading the ambitious A9 dualling project have pledged to spend about £500,000 on archaeological work to protect historic sites in Perthshire.

An extensive survey of the Luncarty to Pass of Birnam stretch will be carried out before construction.

The area contains several standing stones and the Court Hill Cairn, an ancient scheduled monument.

There is also the Perth to Dunkeld turnpike, a construction which dates back to 18th Century when people were tolled for using the road. The site of a demolished toll cottage has been identified.

Aerial photography of the six-mile stretch suggests there is evidence of further prehistoric activity, with the potential for more hidden remains.

Transport Scotland is seeking a contractor to carry out archaeological work along the route, which is worth an estimated £470,000.

A search was carried out further north at the site of the 1689 Killiecrankie battle which unearthed a copper alloy pendant, horse shoes, buttons and musket munitions.

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “It is standard practice for us to consider the impacts of all major road infrastructure projects on cultural heritage prior to any works starting on site.

“This involves undertaking archaeological surveys to ensure that any potential assets are carefully recorded to preserve Scotland’s cultural heritage.”

He added: “As is usual for projects of this nature, and following initial surveys across the A9 Luncarty to Pass of Birnam scheme, a number of potential archaeological assets have been identified as requiring further investigation to determine the existence and extent of any buried archaeology.”

Meanwhile, further work on the £3 billion dualling project will get under way next month after contracts for two ground investigations were awarded.

BAM Ritchies will undertake the contract worth nearly £3 million for the Crubenmore to Kincraig stretch while Raeburn Drilling & Geotechnical Ltd will undertake the contract for £3.8 million for the Pitlochry to Glen Garry stretch.

Traffic management arrangements will be made over the next few months.

It is standard practice for us to consider the impacts of all major road infrastructure projects on cultural heritage prior to any works starting. TRANSPORT SCOTLAND SPOKESMAN