Condition

2
SALT WORKS
Post-Medieval
294450
MHG32955
Highland

Description

Nothing visible as previous excavation by Clyne Heritage Society has been backfilled. ShoreUPDATE comment: This record refers to the whole site of the 18th century or 'New' Salt Pans in Brora. The SCAPE Trust with Clyne Heritage Society and local volunteers carried out substantial excavations on the site in 2007, 2008 and 2009. (Refer to Brora Back beach Data Structure reports 2007, 2008, 2009 for full details and wesite http://www.shorewatch.co.uk/brora). Developed by John Williams for the Sutherland Estate in 1767, the Salt Pans only operated for a decade, closing in 1777. They are depicted on estate maps of 1772 (Kirk) and 1813 (Farey). Excavations identified 3 buildings identified on the estate plans as well as an 'Intended Waggon Road' [see Site Record 11938]. Two of the buildings were comprehensively excavated. The ground plan of the buildings was almost identical. They measured 14.8m in length and 4.8m wide. A central wall divided the buildings into 2 large rooms. The dividing wall contained evidence of a central chimney with a fireplace opening into the east room and a more substantial hearth structure opening into the west room. The buildings were constructed with local sandstone, bonded with clay and harled with lime mortar. The hearths and chimneys were of brick. One of the buildings had a pantiled roof. In the other building, labelled the Salt Mans's House on Farey's 1813 map, ([see site record 11936] there was no evidence of roofing material. Historic documentation mentions turf roofs, so it was posssibly turf. It is probable that these buildings were multi-functional - with a salt pan on one side and accommodation, storage and drying room on the other. Only a fragment of the back wall of a third building survived, the rest of having been lost to erosion. However, it is depicted in the same way and with the same dimensions on the 1772 estate plan, and so is likely to have been very similar to the two excavated. Two further buildings depicted on the 1772 plan nearest to the coast edge are now completely destroyed. Their location is now within the intertidal zone. A rich artefact assemblage from the buildings included numerous domestic items including high status imported pottery and gin bottles, drinking glasses, animal bone, fish bone, very numerous Fe objects (mostly nails and fittings and fixtures from the buildings), and a pair of scissors. Coastline regression using historic mapping showed that between 30 and 50m of coastline has been lost in the vicinity of the 18th century. Most of the historical loss occurred between 1772 and 1813. The current rate of loss, however, appears to be the most rapid yet documented. Although this site has been excavated, continued rapid erosion of the dune face here will almost certainly reveal additional evidence, and possbly uninvestgated buildings. The known buildings and intended Waggon Way are clearly visible in the dune face as layers of coal dust, stone walls, and brick and pantile debris. Visited 2018 & 2019 As described, coast edge is eroding, structures and deposits remain vulnerable

Location

290365.00
903271.00
27700
58.0050659
-3.8568172

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Typical deposits in eroding 18th century salt pans: coaldust layers, mortar, walling, brick and tile 27/02/2015 Typical deposits in eroding 18th century salt pans: coaldust layers, mortar, walling, brick and tile joannahambly
Typical deposits in eroding 18th century salt pans: coaldust layers, mortar, walling, brick and tile
General view of eroding section of 18th century salt pans, April 2013 27/02/2015 General view of eroding section of 18th century salt pans, April 2013 joannahambly
General view of eroding section of 18th century salt pans, April 2013
Area of dividing wall and hearths, Trench 4, Feb 2015 27/02/2015 Area of dividing wall and hearths, Trench 4, Feb 2015 evelix
Area of dividing wall and hearths, Trench 4, Feb 2015
Excavated dividing wall and chimney breast in eroding face of Trench 4, Nov 20143 27/02/2015 Excavated dividing wall and chimney breast in eroding face of Trench 4, Nov 20143 joannahambly
Excavated dividing wall and chimney breast in eroding face of Trench 4, Nov 20143
General view, eroding coastline of 18th century salt pans, Nov 2013 27/02/2015 General view, eroding coastline of 18th century salt pans, Nov 2013 joannahambly
General view, eroding coastline of 18th century salt pans, Nov 2013
General view of eroding section at 18th century salt pans in 2009 27/02/2015 General view of eroding section at 18th century salt pans in 2009 joannahambly
General view of eroding section at 18th century salt pans in 2009
Fireplace in east room 27/02/2015 Fireplace in east room joannahambly
Fireplace in east room
Salt pan hearth, Trench 4 27/02/2015 Salt pan hearth, Trench 4 joannahambly
Salt pan hearth, Trench 4
Building in Trench 4, 2008, looking west 27/02/2015 Building in Trench 4, 2008, looking west joannahambly
Building in Trench 4, 2008, looking west
Excavation trenches overlain onto 1772 and 1813 mapping 27/02/2015 Excavation trenches overlain onto 1772 and 1813 mapping joannahambly
Excavation trenches overlain onto 1772 and 1813 mapping
Plan of the building in Trench 4 27/02/2015 Plan of the building in Trench 4 joannahambly
Plan of the building in Trench 4
Trench 4 in 2008, brick hearth in foreground, looking east 27/02/2015 Trench 4 in 2008, brick hearth in foreground, looking east joannahambly
Trench 4 in 2008, brick hearth in foreground, looking east

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
3328 23/01/2019 EllieSCHARP
Description Visited 2018 & 2019 As described, coast edge is eroding, structures and deposits remain vulnerable
1971 27/02/2015 joannahambly
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion; has eroded in the past
Visibility above ground Not visible
Visibility in section Limited visibility in section
Access accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge is well known; has local associations/history
Description Nothing visible as previous excavation by Clyne Heritage Society has been backfilled. ShoreUPDATE comment: This record refers to the whole site of the 18th century or 'New' Salt Pans in Brora. The SCAPE Trust with Clyne Heritage Society and local volunteers carried out substantial excavations on the site in 2007, 2008 and 2009. (Refer to Brora Back beach Data Structure reports 2007, 2008, 2009 for full details and wesite http://www.shorewatch.co.uk/brora). Developed by John Williams for the Sutherland Estate in 1767, the Salt Pans only operated for a decade, closing in 1777. They are depicted on estate maps of 1772 (Kirk) and 1813 (Farey). Excavations identified 3 buildings identified on the estate plans as well as an 'Intended Waggon Road' [see Site Record 11938]. Two of the buildings were comprehensively excavated. The ground plan of the buildings was almost identical. They measured 14.8m in length and 4.8m wide. A central wall divided the buildings into 2 large rooms. The dividing wall contained evidence of a central chimney with a fireplace opening into the east room and a more substantial hearth structure opening into the west room. The buildings were constructed with local sandstone, bonded with clay and harled with lime mortar. The hearths and chimneys were of brick. One of the buildings had a pantiled roof. In the other building, labelled the Salt Mans's House on Farey's 1813 map, ([see site record 11936] there was no evidence of roofing material. Historic documentation mentions turf roofs, so it was posssibly turf. It is probable that these buildings were multi-functional - with a salt pan on one side and accommodation, storage and drying room on the other. Only a fragment of the back wall of a third building survived, the rest of having been lost to erosion. However, it is depicted in the same way and with the same dimensions on the 1772 estate plan, and so is likely to have been very similar to the two excavated. Two further buildings depicted on the 1772 plan nearest to the coast edge are now completely destroyed. Their location is now within the intertidal zone. A rich artefact assemblage from the buildings included numerous domestic items including high status imported pottery and gin bottles, drinking glasses, animal bone, fish bone, very numerous Fe objects (mostly nails and fittings and fixtures from the buildings), and a pair of scissors. Coastline regression using historic mapping showed that between 30 and 50m of coastline has been lost in the vicinity of the 18th century. Most of the historical loss occurred between 1772 and 1813. The current rate of loss, however, appears to be the most rapid yet documented. Although this site has been excavated, continued rapid erosion of the dune face here will almost certainly reveal additional evidence, and possbly uninvestgated buildings. The known buildings and intended Waggon Way are clearly visible in the dune face as layers of coal dust, stone walls, and brick and pantile debris.
Regular monitoring. Provision for rapid recording and investigation of additional material. Upgrade to Category 2.

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