Shepherd's Lodge Traditional Cache

The area beside this cache has recently been undergoing archaeology research/digs for two weeks in July 2013 following extensive harvesting of trees.

The cache can be found on 'The Colony walk' route and is on the main path and not within the excavation site, so please don't go looking under all the stones! Allow an hour but can be done in less time.

The Baillies of Bennachie along with Aberdeen University and also volunteers have been involved in the dig. They were investigating the truth behind claims whether the colonists were forceably evicted or not. After finding burnt wood in the floor of a house at Shepherds Lodge, where the roof could have been set on fire it would appear that they were forcibly evicted, then the gable ends were caved in to prevent future habitation.
It is evident that the colonists had worked hard breaking in the land around them to grow crops, and even going to the extent of constructing substantial field drains which are still effective today!
The 'landowners' took over the land, I say took over, as the land was not actually owned by anyone before they decided it was theirs! After the forced evictions they used the land to grow trees, presumably to sell wood.
The broken remains of the colonists possessions have been found under the toppled walls. It appears in some areas inhabitants had had no time to gather their things before being forcibly evicted.
The house is the first building you come to walking down 'the road' from the main path. A small fireplace can be seen on the left wall. Very dark soil near back right corner indicates where the burning roof had fallen in. Walk further down the 'road' and the stones here are where steadings for animals were.
Excitingly here, the surprisingly undamaged structure which had been a well can be seen as it would have been then, around 1850.It would obviously have been very important for the colonists and their animals.