Ancient burial ground revealed during sewer upgrade work in Highlands

A burial ground believed to date from the 6th century AD and two Iron Age roundhouses have been revealed during a Scottish Water sewer upgrade project in the Highlands.

Bone fragments from a burial monument - known as a barrow - are now being carbon dated and hold the key to determining the age of the body once interred within.

Only time will tell the exact age of the roundhouses and barrows, but it is certain that the fascinating remains add an astonishing layer of intrigue to an area already rich in archaeological heritage.

Remnants of the roundhouses and barrows, as well as well-preserved metalworking furnaces, were found in a 90-metre section of trench close to the Scheduled Monument area protecting standing stones situated between Windhill and Muir of Ord during construction of 1.7km of new sewer, carried out by Scottish Water’s alliance partner Caledonia Water Alliance.

Welcoming the discovery, Steven Birch, Archaeologist at West Coast Archaeological Services said: “The excavations carried out at Windhill have revealed a complex suite of archaeological features within a relatively small area".

“Full analysis of the samples, finds and other materials will provide additional information relating to a snapshot into the early history of the area, adding to a growing core of evidence to suggest that the area around the Beauly Firth provided a suitable locale for settlement, industrial and funerary practices.”

Burial ground

The remains of three round barrows were revealed within the trench, measuring around 10 metres in diameter. The shallow ditches surrounded roughly central burial pits, one of which was recovered in the limits of the trench.

Within the single grave excavated at Windhill was revealed the now-degraded outlines of a log coffin and in the base of the grave the faded outlines of the bones of the inhumation - the bones having now decayed away with the exception of several fragments of cranium from the back of the skull. The surviving bone fragments will allow radiocarbon dating and even Isotope and DNA analysis which could reveal intriguing details about the people who lived here, including finding out more about their diets and if they lived locally.

Steven said: “The barrows identified and excavated at Windhill constitute a new and important discovery for this area, adding to the rich archaeological heritage focused on Windhill and Tarradale.”

Roundhouses

The major archaeological features uncovered during the work included two Iron Age roundhouses represented by post holes, some of which contained packing stones for the posts in the sandy subsoil.

No pottery was recovered, which fits with a wider view that during the Iron Age in this area the people did not use clay pots, but instead employed more organic forms of vessel - possibly made from wood. A number of stone tools were recovered from the roundhouses including fragments of rotary querns to grind grain, a quern rubber, and a hammerstone.

However, fragments of clay daub from the walls of the roundhouses were found in the post holes. Some of the clay daub had decoration, a particularly rare discovery, in the form of applied chevron designs. Experts believe this may have been used around the entrance to the structure.

Metalworking furnaces

Two well-preserved smelting furnaces were found to have been built against a large flat-topped boulder. Experts believe these would have been housed in structures outside the roundhouses, as the furnaces would likely have produced significant heat and fumes, precluding them from being set within an enclosed space. This is evidenced by the arcs of post holes that were much shallower than the settings for the roundhouses and likely formed ancillary, temporary structures.

Steven added: “Processing of the samples taken from the excavated features will hopefully provide a more detailed picture of the metalworking processes carried out at Windhill". 

“The evidence for metalworking at the site, which most likely took place during the first few centuries AD will form an important addition to the archaeological record for this area.”

In addition, it is hoped the samples will provide evidence for plant materials used for food in the roundhouses, while analysis of the charcoal, some relating to in-situ burnt wooden posts from the structures, will provide details on the species of tree exploited - whether for construction of the roundhouses, for use in domestic fires, or in the metalworking furnaces as a part of the industrial processes taking place on site.

What happens next?

Radiocarbon dating is expected to take place in the coming months, and we will issue a further update once the results are available.

•             This essential sewer upgrade project was carried out in order to help reduce the risk of sewer flooding by lowering the risk of pipes bursting. Work was completed in July 2025.

•             Photography credit: Scottish Water, Steven Birch and Andy Hickie.