Site Event/Activity record EWE23 - Holm Waste Water Treatment Works

A watching and recording brief on works for the construction of a sewage treatment plant at Holm, Stornoway NB43SW 124 c. 445 307 NMRS entry: NB 44 30. Observation of soil stripping in the area of the waste water treatment plant, centred on NB 445 307, revealed the base of a pre-1982 coastguard lookout building, and sections of series of field walls and a drainage system associated with the 19th-century crofting township of Nether Holm. All features post-dated the growth of peat in this area, and no sub-peat archaeological features were observed. Unstratified finds comprise mostly 19th and 20th-century fragments, and a few undiagnostic hand-made sherds, probably of medieval or post-medieval Craggan type. Observation of the transfer sewer from Stoneyfield Farm (NB 442 310 - NB 444 308) failed to produce any evidence of lithics further to those previously recovered during the archaeological evaluation. Apart from ditches, banks, trackways and drainage belonging to 19th-century or earlier field systems and the site of a probable bonfire, most features observed appeared to be of glacial origin. Only one fragmentary sub-peat stone-filled feature appeared to be of archaeological significance. The outfall trench cut through the remains of the lower end of a blackhouse in the township of Nether Holm, centred on NB 446 308. This showed the full sequence of construction and post-abandonment collapse of the house, and demonstrated that, despite limited surface evidence, the lower levels of these houses are well-preserved with excellent survival of organic materials. After abandonment, substantial walls were built on either side of the village street, which was ultimately stone paved. No features pre-dating the blackhouse village were identified. A full report has been lodged with the NMRS and Western Isles SMR. Sponsors: Christiani & Neilsen Ltd, George Leslie Ltd, Halcrow Crouch. C M Knott 2000. REPORT DATE: 29/08/2002, NMRS no. 187082