Maldie Burn Hydro Electric Scheme, Kylestrome, Eddrachillis, Sutherland

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Maldie Burn Hydro Electric Scheme, Kylestrome, Eddrachillis, Sutherland Maldie Burn Hydro Electric Scheme, Kylestrome, Eddrachillis, Sutherland Cultural Heritage and Archaeology Catherine Dagg for ASH 21 Gordon Street Glasgow G1 3PL Maldie Burn Hydro Electric Scheme, Kylestrome, Eddrachillis, Sutherland Cultural Heritage and Archaeology 1.0 Introduction A hydro-electric scheme is to be constructed on the Maldie Burn, Reay Forest, Eddrachillis, Sutherland. This evaluation was originally prepared for inclusion in an Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Statement on the proposed development, and covers the potential impact of the scheme on the archaeological record and cultural heritage of the area. This evaluation aims to • Identify the cultural heritage baseline within and in the vicinity of the proposed area of the development • Assess the proposed development site in terms of its archaeological and historic environment • Consider the potential impacts of construction and operation of the proposed development on the cultural heritage and archaeological record. • Propose measures (where appropriate) to mitigate any predicted adverse impacts The cultural heritage resource of an area is taken to consist of the following elements which might be adversely affected by the development: • Scheduled Ancient Monuments • Listed Buildings • Designed Landscapes and Gardens • Other archaeological features, conservation areas, historic cemeteries and battlefield sites The evaluation contains the following elements: • A desk-based assessment of the archaeological sites and areas of historical or cultural interest considered likely to be affected by the development. • A field evaluation of the area of the proposed development, to locate known and recorded archaeological sites and areas of archaeological and cultural significance and to identify previously unrecorded sites At the time that this evaluation was carried out (2005) the survey area included another development proposal which has now been abandoned, and several aspects of the Maldie Burn proposal, including locations for temporary compounds, which have also been abandoned. The survey area is therefore much larger than required for the present Maldie Burn development, but the information on the whole area, including the archaeological sites, is included here. This is partly to avoid confusion about site numbers; the majority of sites no longer within the development area have been extracted into Appendix 2 2.0 The Maldie Burn Development The proposed development consists of the following elements: • A single intake at the outflow of Loch an Leathaid Bhuain at NC 2625 3520, raising the water level of the loch by approximately 2m • Buried pipeline and temporary access track from the intake to the turbine house • Turbine house at NC 2500 3400, on the east bank of the Maldie Burn, and tailrace discharging into the burn • Widening of present access track to the turbine site from Kylestrome and new section of track north of Kylestrome Lodge • Temporary construction compounds at the main intake site and east of the turbine house • Buried cable connection from Maldie intake, following the argocat track and stalkers path to a point east of the Bealaich nam Fiann, then cutting through Achfary Forest to the existing power line at Achfary 3.0 Area Description The development is located to the north of Loch Glendhu and south of Loch More, and utilizes water which drains into Loch Glendhu via the Maldie Burn. The catchment area is the greater part of the high ground between Loch Glendhu and Loch More. The area of the proposed development is for the most part defined as wild land, although it is a managed sporting estate, which also carries a small stock of sheep. For sporting and recreational purposes, a number of 19th century stalkers’ paths have been upgraded for argocat access, notably along the north shore of Loch Glendhu from Kylestrome Lodge, and, splitting from this track at Maldie, running up the west side of the Maldie Burn and rising steeply to meet a higher route from Kylestrome to Achfary. All buildings presently in use by the estate are confined to Kylestrome, with the exception of a lodge and Mountain Bothy Association bothy at the head of Glendhu, and a fishermen’s hut on Loch Leathiad Bhuain. Achfary, a separately managed part of Reay estate, also contains a lodge, offices and estate workers houses. 4.0 Baseline Conditions 4.1 Archaeological Background 4.1.1 Sites with Statutory Protection There are no Listed Buildings or Designed Landscapes within, or adjacent to, the area of this evaluation There are two Scheduled Ancient Monuments in the wider area covered by this evaluation: 1. Broch, An Dun at NC 2170 341 SMR no. NC23SW0001, SAM Index 1833 2. Cairn at NC 21938 3422 SMR no. NC23SW0003, SAM Index 1800 4.1.2 Recorded Archaeological Sites No systematic archaeological field survey had previously been carried out in the general area of Reay Forest. Some sites have been identified by the Ordnance Survey, others by TC Welsh, and others through evidence recorded by earlier map makers and added to the Highland Sites and Monuments Record (SMR, now replaced by the Historic Environment Record, HER) as a desk-based exercise. There is therefore a high probability of unrecorded sites being located in this area The following archaeological sites are recorded on the Highland Sites and Monuments Record as within or adjacent to the area of this evaluation: • Building at NC 2160 3420 HER ref. MHG18821, SMR no. NC23SW0019 One unroofed building is recorded on the 1878 1st edition Ordnance Survey map at this location, which is down on the sea shore north of An Dun • Two enclosed areas of cultivation at NC 2150 3450 HER ref. MHG41517, SMR no. NC23SW0021 Recorded on the 1st edition OS map • Burial Ground at NC 21835 34820 HER ref. MHG31468, SMR no. NC23SW0025 A rectangular enclosure is recorded on the 1st edition OS map, although it is not named as a burial ground, nor is it defined on the 1969 OS 1:2500 Pathfinder map. It has been recorded in Cowper and Ross’s monuments survey • Sheep pen at NC 2230 3505 SMR no. NC23NW0003 This structure is recorded but unnamed on the 1st edition OS map, and named as a sheep pen on the 1969 Pathfinder map. • Building at NC 2270 3460 , HER ref. MHG18820SMR no. NC23SW0018 One unroofed building is recorded on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map at this location, which is north of the track within the present forestry. • Maldie Burn, depopulated settlement at NC 2470 3420 HER ref. MHG12118, SMR no. NC23SW0002. The 1st edition OS map only records one unroofed building and one enclosure, but eighteen buildings and two enclosures have subsequently been noted. All these buildings lie to the west of the Maldie Burn 4.2 Summary of Settlement History and Cartographic Evidence A more complete historical background is provided in Appendix 1 1. Achfary: Roy’s military survey of 1750s records two clusters of buildings, one on each side of the Allt Achadh Fairidh, with corn lands mostly south of the river. The northern clachan lies under the present buildings, while the southern clachan may have been removed entirely in the improvement of the fields between the road and Loch nan Ealachan. Cleared at an unknown date. One shepherd was resident there in 1841. The Duke of Westminster developed the settlement, building stables (dated 1853), offices and a laundry to service the nearby Lochmore Lodge. The Sutherland Coaching Company kept a house and stables there. By 1953 the population was large enough to support a school, which is still open. 2. Kylestrome: Roy records an unnamed township at the site of the present farm lands north of the lodge, and another small township, which he names Kylestrome, at the site of Galascaig, along the coast to the west. Cleared in 1808 when Charles Clarke added it to Glendhu sheep farm, and probably installed a shepherd. The 1841 census records one shepherd with his family and a female servant. The Admiralty map of 1846 records Old House of Kylestrome, which may have been the original tacksman’s house, up the Allt an Dubhaidh. To the west of this is a large rectangular enclosure and a long dyke or road, both of which can be traced on modern maps. Three buildings, enclosures and dykes are noted at the site of the present lodge, and the road runs from the ferry point on Eilean na Rainich, north towards Scourie. The Picts Tower (broch) is recorded, as is the fact that boats can pass at flow between Garbh Eilean and the mainland into Loch an Truister 3. Grianan/Maldie. Roy records the township on the high ground west of the Maldie Burn. Cleared in 1808 when Charles Clarke added it to the sheep farm. No record of any shepherd or forester living there, and no map evidence for any houses. The 1st edition OS map shows the fank and park east of the burn, a small fank within the township area west of the burn, and the track 4.3 Gazetteer of Archaeological Features and Sites The following sites were noted during a rapid walk-over survey, carried out on 27-29th July and 8th November 2005 Kylestrome to Maldie Burn 1. Eilean na Rainich. Site of fishing station at NC 2290 3425. The western wing of the complex of standing buildings is a rubble-built storehouse, similar enough to the fish store at Rispond on Loch Eriboll, known to have been in existence in 1787, to be contemporary. An existing storehouse on Eilean na Rainich is known to have been leased to James Anderson in about 1775. If this is that building, it would be the oldest standing building in the area. It is two-storey, originally with an external stair which has now been removed. The south gable appears to have originally contained a flue, as the fireplace is still visible at the first floor level, but the chimney has been removed.
Recommended publications
  • Walks and Scrambles in the Highlands
    Frontispiece} [Photo by Miss Omtes, SLIGACHAN BRIDGE, SGURR NAN GILLEAN AND THE BHASTEIR GROUP. WALKS AND SCRAMBLES IN THE HIGHLANDS. BY ARTHUR L. BAGLEY. WITH TWELVE ILLUSTRATIONS. Xon&on SKEFFINGTON & SON 34 SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND, W.C. PUBLISHERS TO HIS MAJESTY THE KING I9H Richard Clav & Sons, Limiteu, brunswick street, stamford street s.e., and bungay, suffolk UNiVERi. CONTENTS BEN CRUACHAN ..... II CAIRNGORM AND BEN MUICH DHUI 9 III BRAERIACH AND CAIRN TOUL 18 IV THE LARIG GHRU 26 V A HIGHLAND SUNSET .... 33 VI SLIOCH 39 VII BEN EAY 47 VIII LIATHACH ; AN ABORTIVE ATTEMPT 56 IX GLEN TULACHA 64 X SGURR NAN GILLEAN, BY THE PINNACLES 7i XI BRUACH NA FRITHE .... 79 XII THROUGH GLEN AFFRIC 83 XIII FROM GLEN SHIEL TO BROADFORD, BY KYLE RHEA 92 XIV BEINN NA CAILLEACH . 99 XV FROM BROADFORD TO SOAY . 106 v vi CONTENTS CHAF. PACE XVI GARSBHEINN AND SGURR NAN EAG, FROM SOAY II4 XVII THE BHASTEIR . .122 XVIII CLACH GLAS AND BLAVEN . 1 29 XIX FROM ELGOL TO GLEN BRITTLE OVER THE DUBHS 138 XX SGURR SGUMA1N, SGURR ALASDAIR, SGURR TEARLACH AND SGURR MHIC CHOINNICH . I47 XXI FROM THURSO TO DURNESS . -153 XXII FROM DURNESS TO INCHNADAMPH . 1 66 XXIII BEN MORE OF ASSYNT 1 74 XXIV SUILVEN 180 XXV SGURR DEARG AND SGURR NA BANACHDICH . 1 88 XXVI THE CIOCH 1 96 1 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Toface page SLIGACHAN BRIDGE, SGURR NAN GILLEAN AND THE bhasteir group . Frontispiece BEN CRUACHAN, FROM NEAR DALMALLY . 4 LOCH AN EILEAN ....... 9 AMONG THE CAIRNGORMS ; THE LARIG GHRU IN THE DISTANCE . -31 VIEW OF SKYE, FROM NEAR KYLE OF LOCH ALSH .
    [Show full text]
  • Your Detailed Itinerary Scotland Will Bring You to the A96 to the North- Its Prehistory, Including the Standing This Is the ‘Outdoor Capital’ of the UK
    Classic Scotland Classic Your Detailed Itinerary Scotland will bring you to the A96 to the north- its prehistory, including the Standing This is the ‘outdoor capital’ of the UK. east. At Keith, you can enjoy a typical Stones at Calanais, a setting of great Nearby Nevis Range, for example, is a Day 1 distillery of the area, Strathisla. presence and mystery which draws ski centre in winter, while, without Day 13 From Jedburgh, with its abbey visitor many to puzzle over its meaning. snow, it has Britain’s longest downhill Glasgow, as Scotland’s largest city, centre, continue northbound to (Option here to stay for an extra day mountain bike track, from 2150 ft offers Scotland’s largest shopping experience the special Borders to explore the island.) Travel south to (655m), dropping 2000ft (610m) over choice, as well as museums, galleries, landscape of rolling hills and wooded Day 4/5 Tarbert in Harris for the ferry to Uig almost 2 miles (3km). It’s fierce and culture, nightlife, pubs and friendly river valley. Then continue to Go west to join the A9 at Inverness in Skye. demanding but there are plenty of locals. Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, with its for the journey north to Scrabster, other gentler forest trails nearby. Fort choice of cultural and historic ferryport for Orkney. From Stromness, William also offers what is arguably attractions. Explore the Old Town, the Stone Age site of Skara Brae lies Scotland’s most scenic rail journey, the city’s historic heart, with its quaint north, on the island’s west coast.
    [Show full text]
  • Read the West Sutherland Biosecurity
    West Sutherland Biosecurity Management Plan 2 2020 - 2029 WEST SUTHERLAND FISHERIES TRUST REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER SC24426 Gardeners Cottage, Scourie, IV27 4SX Tel: 01971 502259 E-mail: [email protected]; website: www.wsft.org.uk Acknowledgements West Sutherland Fisheries Trust developed this plan with the assistance and funding of Scottish Invasive Species Initiative, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Scottish Natural Heritage. We are grateful for the support received from these organisations and their commitment to the tackling of invasive species in West Sutherland. Abbreviations Abbreviation Organisation ASSG Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers BTA British Trout Association DSFBs District Salmon Fisheries Boards FCS Forestry Commission Scotland FHI Fish Health Inspectorate HISF Highland Invasive Species Forum MS Marine Scotland NatureScot Scotland’s Nature Agency NNSS Non Native Species Secretariat N&WDSB North & West District Salmon Fishery Board SEPA Scottish Environment Protection Agency SISI Scottish Invasive Species Initiative SFCC Scottish Fisheries Co-ordination Centre SG Scottish Government SSPO Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 2. The Context ................................................................................................................................. 2 2.1 Biosecurity: The Nature of the Problem ...............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • April 2017 As a Low Pressure System Traversed South-West England
    Hydrological Summary for the United Kingdom General April was an exceptionally dry month dominated by high pressure with few notable rainfall events. Most of the UK recorded less than half the average rainfall, and some parts of southern England and eastern Scotland registered less than a fifth. For the UK overall, April was the equal ninth driest in a series from 1910, the culmination of a period of rainfall deficits that have accrued since summer 2016. The Southern region of England registered its driest July–April in a series from 1910. With minimal rainfall, soil moisture deficits (SMDs) increased rapidly. For the Forth region, end of April SMDs were the third highest in a series from 1961 and highest since 1980. Following prolonged river flow recessions throughout the month, daily flows in some catchments approached or eclipsed late April minima. River flows were substantially below average for most of the UK, with notably low flows in Northern Ireland, eastern Scotland and south-east England. April outflows from the English Lowlands were the fourth lowest in a series from 1961, only surpassed by the notable drought years of 1976, 1997 and 2011. Groundwater levels stabilised or followed their seasonal recessions at the majority of index sites and remained at or below normal everywhere except south-west Scotland and north-east England. Reservoir stocks fell in April, substantially so in some impoundments in northern England, and although most remained only moderately below average there were some notable shortfalls (e.g. 18% below normal at Bewl). Reservoir storage in the Northumbrian region and for Scotland overall was only marginally above previous April minima in series from 1988, though reservoir stocks remain relatively healthy overall.
    [Show full text]
  • A Tour in Sutherlandshire : with Extracts from the Field-Books of A
    18 TOUR IN SUTHERLAND. C'H. II. CHAPTEE II. Inn at Inchnadamph—Liberal System of the Duke of Suther- land — Facility of Travelling — Beauty of Country—Loch Assynt—Nest of Osprey—Large Spring of "Water—Water- Ousel—Dense Mist—Wild Country near Kylesku—Country between Kylesku and Scowrie — Nest of Osprey; curious position of—Eagle. Being under a good and liberal landlord is like under a and liberal and being good government ; this we found to be the case at Inchnadamph, which is held under the Duke of Sutherland, or (as he is " " equally well known here) the good Duke —a title, by the way, his Grace may be prouder of than any other that could be invented. Throughout the Duke's property here the innkeepers hold their houses (and capital ones they are) rent free, and have certain other advantages in hiring their land, and in having every encouragement that the most kind and judicious liberality of the proprietor can give them, on (I believe) the express condition that their inns should be decently kept and the charges moderate. The consequence of which arrangement is that strangers can travel through this otherwise wild and lonely country with every facility and comfort, CH. II. INCHNADAMPH—LOCH ASSYNT. 19 and without the disagreeable feeling of being doubly- overcharged because they are strangers. Neverthe- less, with all this facility and comfort, but very few strangers do come to see this magnificent scenery, simply, I fancy, because it is little known and not yet the fashion. Most visitors to the Highlands drive straight from their home in England or elsewhere to the ground which they have hired for grouse-shooting or other sporting, and after a certain number of weeks drive straight back again.
    [Show full text]
  • I General Area of South Quee
    Organisation Address Line 1 Address Line 2 Address Line3 City / town County DUNDAS PARKS GOLFGENERAL CLUB- AREA IN CLUBHOUSE OF AT MAIN RECEPTION SOUTH QUEENSFERRYWest Lothian ON PAVILLION WALL,KING 100M EDWARD FROM PARK 3G PITCH LOCKERBIE Dumfriesshire ROBERTSON CONSTRUCTION-NINEWELLS DRIVE NINEWELLS HOSPITAL*** DUNDEE Angus CCL HOUSE- ON WALLBURNSIDE BETWEEN PLACE AG PETERS & MACKAY BROS GARAGE TROON Ayrshire ON BUS SHELTERBATTERY BESIDE THE ROAD ALBERT HOTEL NORTH QUEENSFERRYFife INVERKEITHIN ADJACENT TO #5959 PEEL PEEL ROAD ROAD . NORTH OF ENT TO TRAIN STATION THORNTONHALL GLASGOW AT MAIN RECEPTION1-3 STATION ROAD STRATHAVEN Lanarkshire INSIDE RED TELEPHONEPERTH ROADBOX GILMERTON CRIEFFPerthshire LADYBANK YOUTHBEECHES CLUB- ON OUTSIDE WALL LADYBANK CUPARFife ATR EQUIPMENTUNNAMED SOLUTIONS ROAD (TAMALA)- IN WORKSHOP OFFICE WHITECAIRNS ABERDEENAberdeenshire OUTSIDE DREGHORNDREGHORN LOAN HALL LOAN Edinburgh METAFLAKE LTD UNITSTATION 2- ON ROAD WALL AT ENTRANCE GATE ANSTRUTHER Fife Premier Store 2, New Road Kennoway Leven Fife REDGATES HOLIDAYKIRKOSWALD PARK- TO LHSROAD OF RECEPTION DOOR MAIDENS GIRVANAyrshire COUNCIL OFFICES-4 NEWTOWN ON EXT WALL STREET BETWEEN TWO ENTRANCE DOORS DUNS Berwickshire AT MAIN RECEPTIONQUEENS OF AYRSHIRE DRIVE ATHLETICS ARENA KILMARNOCK Ayrshire FIFE CONSTABULARY68 PIPELAND ST ANDREWS ROAD POLICE STATION- AT RECEPTION St Andrews Fife W J & W LANG LTD-1 SEEDHILL IN 1ST AID ROOM Paisley Renfrewshire MONTRAVE HALL-58 TO LEVEN RHS OFROAD BUILDING LUNDIN LINKS LEVENFife MIGDALE SMOLTDORNOCH LTD- ON WALL ROAD AT
    [Show full text]
  • Ainmean-Àite Na Cuinneige |The Place-Names of Quinag
    Ainmean-Àite na Cuinneige |The Place-names of Quinag Quinag from the Ardroe path (photo by Gemma Smith, August 2020) Gemma Smith Roinn na Ceiltis is na Gàidhlig | Celtic and Gaelic Oilthigh Ghlaschu | University of Glasgow An Giblean 2021 | April 2021 Contents Introduction 2 Key to entries 4 Gazetteer 5 Bibliography 35 1 Introduction Area This toponymic survey covers the area currently designated as the Quinag Estate, Assynt, as delineated in the John Muir Trust’s map below. Names from the immediate environs of the survey area have been included where relevant or interesting. Map © John Muir Trust 2012 Land Use In order to understand historic land use in this area it is necessary to look past any idea of ‘the estate’, as Quinag was in the past a shared resource, with each farm that backed onto the hill having grazing rights to their own particular portion. Therefore any shielings, etc. must be understood in relation to the farm of which they were an integral part. The hinterland of each home baile also included peat bogs, woodlands, burns and lochs which would have supplied a variety of valuable resources year-round – see pg. 184 of the Old Statistical Account for ‘The ancient Divisions of the Land of the whole Parish’. As the saying goes regarding the rights of the Gàideil, breac à linne, slat à coille ‘s fiadh à fìreach – ‘a fish 2 from the burn, a staff from the wood and a deer from the moor’ – wild resources were just as important as farmed. John Home’s 1774 maps of the individual farms are readily available on the National Library of Scotland website, and should be consulted wherever necessary, as they are an unparalleled and invaluable resource in the context of the wider north-west area, and provide a uniquely detailed snapshot of pre-‘Improvement’ land use.
    [Show full text]
  • Sunderland Local Plan
    Sutherland Local Plan Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report April 2006 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The purpose of this Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) scoping report is to set out sufficient information on the Sutherland Local Plan to enable the Consultation Authorities to form a view on the consultation periods and the scope and level of detail that will be appropriate for the environmental report. 1.2 This report has been prepared in accordance with Regulation 17 of the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Scotland) Regulations 2004. 1.3 The Highland Council is also preparing Local Plans for the Skye and Lochalsh and Lochaber areas. Separate scoping reports have been prepared for these plans, but it is intended that as far as possible, a consistent approach is taken both to the preparation of the plans and to the methodology and format of the strategic environmental assessment. 1.4 The Highland Council’s approach to carrying out the Strategic Environmental Assessment is based on the methodology developed whilst preparing the retrospective SEA for the Wester Ross Local Plan, in partnership with the Consultation Authorities. In addition to carrying out the SEA, The Council will also carry out a sustainability appraisal of the Local Plan, to balance environmental considerations with social and economic objectives. 1.5 For further information on the Sutherland Local Plan, please contact Brian Mackenzie on 01463 702276 ([email protected]) or Katie Briggs on 01463 702271 ([email protected]). 2. KEY FACTS Sutherland Local Plan 2.1 The Sutherland Local Plan area (see Map) extends over 6,071 square kilometres and is an area of high quality natural environment and diverse historical background.
    [Show full text]
  • Geodiversity Audit and Action Plan 2013 - 2016
    GEODIVERSITY AUDIT AND ACTION PLAN 2013 - 2016 THIS PROJECT IS BEING PART FINANCED BY THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY HIGHLAND LEADER 2007-2013 PROGRAMME. CONTENTS FOREWORD.................................................................................................................. 1 ROCKS FROM THE DAWN OF TIME……………………………………………………….2 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................ 3 The North West Highlands Geopark........................................................................... 3 The Geology and Geological Structure of the NWHG................................................. 3 The Purpose of the Audit and Action Plan .................................................................. 5 Geodiversity................................................................................................................ 5 Part 1 – THE GEODIVERSITY AUDIT........................................................................... 7 North West Highland Geopark : Location Maps ............................................................. 9 NWHG REF. 001 - BEN HUTIG................................................................................ 13 NWHG REF. 002 - CLEIT AN T-SEABHAIG ............................................................ 15 NWHG REF. 003 - ERIBOLL.................................................................................... 17 NWHG REF. 004 - AN T-SRON ..............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Geological Notes and Location Descriptions for Field Excursions
    Inverness: 30 April - 7 May Inverness: 30 Geological notes and location descriptions for field excursions Deformation mechanisms, Rheology and Tectonics 2017 Deformation mechanisms, Rheology and Tectonics 1 Geological notes* The crustal evolution and geology of NW Scotland can be considered with reference to the Palaeozoic Caledonian orogeny. This major episode of crustal reworking was associated with the formation of a North Atlantic Craton – suturing the Proterozoic and older crustal blocks of Laurentian and Baltica (together with Avalonia, further south). NW Scotland contains part of the western margin of this orogen (or at least its more intense parts), a tectonic feature termed the Moine Thrust Belt. The foreland to the thrust belt preserves much older geology, exhumed from up to 35-40km depth, that give insight to processes that form, rework and reassemble the continental crust. The Caledonian rocks allow us to follow a transect from exhumed middle crustal sections within the orogen out into the foreland. Collectively these outcrops provide arrays of analogues for crustal geology and deformation structures, and we can use these to promote discussion of their geophysical characteristics when targeted in situ. However, the Caledonian crust, together with its foreland, has seen later deformation associated with the formation of sedimentary basins, chiefly in the immediate offshore. We can also access basin faults and examine not only their individual characteristics but also debate how they may have been influenced by pre-existing structures. Pre-Caledonian geology The Lewisian. The Lewisian forms the oldest basement to the British Isles and has classic Laurentian geology. The key geological markers in the field used to build up a sequence of geological events are a suite of NW-SE-trending metabasic sheets – the Scourie dykes.
    [Show full text]
  • Northern Scotland
    Soil Survey of Scotland NORTHERN SCOTLAND 15250 000 SHEET 3 The Macaulay Institute for Soil Research Aberdeen 1982 SOIL SURVEY OF SCOTLAND Soil and Land Capability for Agriculture NORTHERN SCOTLAND By D. W. Futty, BSc and W. Towers, BSc with contributions by R. E. F. Heslop, BSc, A. D. Walker, BSc, J. S. Robertson, BSc, C. G. B. Campbell, BSc, G. G. Wright, BSc and J. H. Gauld, BSc, PhD The Macaulay Institute for Soil Research Aberdeen 1982 @ The Macaulay Institute for Soil Research, Aberdeen, 1982 Front cover. CanGP, Suiluen and Cu1 Mor from north of Lochinuer, Sutherland. Hills of Tomdonian sandsione rise above a strongly undulating plateau of Lewirian gneiss. Institute of Geologcal Sciences photograph published by permission of the Director; NERC copyight. ISBN 0 7084 0221 6 PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS ABERDEEN Contents Chapter Page PREFACE vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ix 1 DE~CRIPTIONOF THE AREA 1 PHYSIOGRAPHIC REGIONS- GEOLOGY, LANDFORMS AND PARENT MATERIALS 1 The Northern Highlands 1 The Grampian Highlands 5 The Caithness Plain 6 The Moray Firth Lowlands 7 CLIMATE 7 Rainfall and potential water deficit 8 Accumulated temperature 9 Exposure 9 SOILS 10 General aspects 10 Classification and distribution 12 VEGETATION 15 Moorland 16 Oroarctic communities 17 Grassland 18 Foreshore and dunes 19 Saltings and splash zone 19 Scrub and woodland 19 2 THE SOIL MAP UNITS 21 The Alluvial Soils 21 The Organic Soils 28 The Aberlour Association 31 The Ardvanie Association 32 The Arkaig Association 33 The Berriedale Association 44 The
    [Show full text]
  • Highland Health Board
    NHS Highland Board 31 May 2016 Item 4.9 UPDATE ON MAJOR SERVICE REDESIGN PROJECTS Report by Gill McVicar, Director of Operations (North and West), Georgia Haire, Deputy Director of Operations (South and Mid) and Maimie Thompson (Head of PR and Engagement) on behalf of Deborah Jones, Director of Strategic Commissioning, Planning and Performance The NHS Highland Board is asked to: • Consider the proposals to redesign services for the North Coast (Sutherland), approve that the changes constitute major service change; endorse the pre- consultation work and options appraisal process and approve the draft consultation materials; • Note the update on progress with developing the business case for major redesign of services for Badenoch and Strathspey 1. Background and summary Services provided by the NHS need to change to ensure they meet the future needs of the changing population, particularly the increasing ageing population of Scotland and the number of people with long-term health conditions. There are additional challenges facing NHS Highland linked to geography, recruitment, staff retention and in some cases history. In addition there is a pressing need to develop more community services, facilitate greater community resilience and modernise and rationalise our estate. Notably at the time the major service change projects got underway in 2012/13 the backlog maintenance was some £70million. As set out in NHS Highland’s 10 year operational strategy, work is ongoing to transform models of care and services. The transformations of services
    [Show full text]