Transport secretary gets insight into ancient past during Berriedale visit
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THE £9.6 million upgrade of the Berriedale Braes is all about modernising a notoriously difficult section of the A9 in Caithness – but prehistoric discoveries were to the fore when Scotland's transport secretary Michael Matheson paid a visit to the site today.
He came north to see how work is progressing on the road improvement project and was also shown some of the archaeological finds dug up during the preparation works.
Archaeological excavation undertaken prior to construction of the new road scheme showed Berriedale had been the site of a seasonal camp dating to the Mesolithic period, probably 6000-5000 BC.
Mr Matheson was joined by local councillors as well as the area representative from the site archaeology team to view some of the flints and other small tools thought to have been used for hunting, working with animal hides and other daily tasks.
Together with the remains of small shelters and fires, it is believed by the archaeologists that these items provide information on the earliest humans living in Caithness.
The upgrade of Berriedale Braes involves removing a notorious hairpin bend on the A9. The contract was won by Dingwall-based engineering company RJ McLeod Ltd. Work is due to be completed by spring 2020.
The finds provide evidence of life in the far north of Scotland thousands of years ago.
Speaking at the construction site, Mr Matheson said: “The finds unearthed here at Berriedale Braes are truly fascinating and provide a rare glimpse into Scotland’s ancient past. Indeed, the archaeologists believe the finds are all that survive of some of the earliest traces of humans to have lived in the area and provide evidence of life in the far north of Scotland thousands of years ago.
“The discoveries – which could have remained uncovered had works not progressed on the A9 Berriedale Braes project – underline the importance of the value we place on meeting our environmental obligations as we plan and construct essential new infrastructure.”
Mr Matheson added: “Improving connectivity between rural communities and cities is critical to boosting productivity and competitiveness and I am delighted to be in Caithness today to see the significant progress that RJ McLeod has made in delivering this key safety improvement for road users in the north of Scotland.
"Once complete, this project will deliver improved journey times and will remove the need for vehicles to slow down to negotiate the previous hairpin bend.”
The archaeological finds will be displayed for the public to view at Dunbeath Heritage Museum in the coming weeks.
Mr Matheson also heard how RJ McLeod is using alternative techniques to remove rock and consequently avoid disturbance to a nearby coastal bird colony.
