Prehistoric houses found at site of new Inverness prison

AOC Archaeology Group said it worked alongside contractors from UBCivils and Balfour Beatty to ensure careful excavation of extensive buried remains.

The excavation was done on behalf of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS).

The prison site sits within a much larger archaeological landscape where previously nationally significant finds have been found at Culduthel, Slackbuie and West Link Road.

AOC’s Mary Peteranna said the latest dig was a team effort.

“The collaboration was made possible by the support of Scottish Prison Service,” she said.

“They facilitated the process of safeguarding the archaeology on the site and have been fully supportive of presentation of the results so that it is available for the public.

“This is a truly important part of the cultural heritage of Inverness.”

Lorraine Roughan, SPS project executive for HMP Highland, said: “This discovery encapsulates the importance of the site to the community of Inverness, both historically and in the present day.”