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 that could be up to 3,000 years old 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 inside it. 

Remnants of the roundhouses and barrows, as well as well-preserved metalworking furnaces, were found in a 90-metre section of trench at Windhill 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.” 

Project Manager Scott Henry said: “It has been incredible to find out what was discovered near our sewer upgrade project. I have worked on many projects across the whole of Scotland and this has to be the most exciting find to date. 

“From desktop studies before, we had an idea of what could be found but didn’t know it would such an amazing discovery. We always follow the correct procedures and ensure archaeologists are present when they need to be to ensure discoveries are protected and recorded from our sewer upgrade works.” 

Radiocarbon dating is expected to take place in the coming months.

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. 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.

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.

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."

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.