Survey work for the dualling of the A9 has unearthed new evidence of a bloody battle which was fought on Perthshire soil.
Thousands of men died at the Battle of Killiecrankie and a metal detecting search of the battlefield has unearthed dozens of items linked to the famous 1689 skirmish.
The artefacts include a copper alloy pendant, a harness boss, two buckles, part of the support for a sword belt, horse shoes, buttons, and musket munitions.
While the survey is providing information for developing plans to dual the A9 between Killiecrankie and Pitagowan, it is also improving knowledge of the clash between the Jacobite army and Government forces.
Transport minister Derek Mackay, who unveiled some of the finds to pupils at Pitlochry High School, said: “Our work to dual the A9 will bring undoubted improvements for road users and will allow us to refine our road designs for the future, but has also opened a window into Scotland’s past.
“Thanks to the survey work, experts are shedding more light on the Battle of Killiecrankie which took place over 300 years ago, bringing Bonnie Dundee’s Jacobite victory to life.
“They are able to offer more information on the battle including the possible route soldiers took during the battle, potential cavalry positions, where the key skirmishes and close quarters fighting took place, and the likely retreating route taken by the fleeing Government forces.”
Warren Bailie, project manager at GUARD Archaeology Limited who carried out the metal detecting survey said: ”The recent metal detecting survey on the Killiecrankie Battlefield, one of the best preserved battlefields in Scotland, has revealed exciting new evidence to back up the earlier findings of archaeological work carried out in 2003 as part of the well-known TV programme Two men in a Trench.”
One of Scotland’s largest ever infrastructure projects, the £3 billion dualling involves the upgrade of 80 miles of single carriageway along the A9 between Perth and Inverness by 2025.
Mr Mackay added: “The design work across the dualling programme is progressing well and next week locals and road users will get the chance to view the preferred routes for three of the sections to be dualled Killiecrankie to Pitagowan, Pitagowan to Glen Garry and Dalwhinnie to Crubenmore.”
The exhibitions of the road options will be on Tuesday March 8 12noon to 7pm at Blair Atholl village hall and 12 noon to 8pm at Dalwhinnie village hall on the same day and Wednesday March 9 12noon to 7pm at Killiecrankie village hall,