Archaeological survey work is to be carried out for the A9 Dualling Killiecrankie to Glen Garry scheme.

The surveys form part of the design programme for the scheme and the scope of the work has been agreed with Historic Environment Scotland (HES). Overall, the scheme will take around three weeks to complete.

Transport Scotland has also invited HES, Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust, Killiecrankie and Fincastle Community Council and the Soldiers of Killiecrankie interest group to attend the survey works on site.

The A9 Dualling Killiecrankie to Glen Garry will see the 22km road upgraded to a dual carriageway, as part of the Scottish Government's plans to dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness by 2025.

Jo Blewett Transport Scotland's A9 Dualling Programme Manager, said the survey work will build on surveys in 2015 and will provide information for developing plans to dual this stretch of the road, "while at the same time further improving our knowledge of Scotland's military history of the 1689 battle between the Jacobite army and Government forces".

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"We have been progressing our plans to dual the A9, including the section between Killiecrankie and Glen Garry which includes the site of the famous battle of Killiecrankie," she said.

"We are well aware of the sensitivities around what is an important inventory battlefield and we have been engaging extensively with the local community and key stakeholders since 2012. As the existing A9 already runs through the site of the battlefield, any of the dual carriageway widening options, on the northbound or southbound side, would have some impact on the battlefield.

"Having published draft Orders for the scheme last November, we have received a number of objections and we are currently negotiating with objectors to try and resolve objections where possible.

"In the meantime, following discussions with Historic Environment Scotland we have decided to bring forward archaeological survey work that was planned to take place in advance of construction starting.

"It is important that the local community feel engaged in any works on or near the battlefield site and we were delighted to offer Historic Environment Scotland, Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust, the local community council and the Soldiers of Killiecrankie the opportunity to attend the survey works."

The survey's findings will be published in due course.

(LM)