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Meall Buidhe, Ardgay, Sutherland Archaeological Walkover Survey Report

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Meall Buidhe, Ardgay, Sutherland Archaeological Walkover Survey Report AOC 70240 November 2017 © AOC Archaeology Group 2017 Meall Buidhe, Ardgay, Sutherland Archaeological Walkover Survey Report On Behalf of: Muirden Energy LLP National Grid Reference (NGR): NH 45662 95502 AOC Project No: 70240 Prepared by: L. Fraser Illustrations by: L. Fraser Date of Fieldwork: 20th November 2017 Date of Report: 21st November 2017 OASIS No.: aocarcha1-301741 This document has been prepared in accordance with AOC standard operating procedures. Authors: Lynn Fraser Date: 21st November 2017 Approved by: Mary Peteranna Date: 30th November 2017 Report Stage: Final Date: 30th November 2017 Enquiries to: AOC Archaeology Group The Old Estate Office Rosehaugh Estate Avoch IV9 8RF Mob. 07972 259255 Tel. 01463 819841 E‐mail [email protected] www.aocarchaeology.com 70240: Meall Buidhe, Ardgay, Sutherland, Archaeological Walkover Survey Report Contents Page List of illustrations ............................................................................................................................................................ 2 List of plates ...................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Abstract .............................................................................................................................................................................. 3 1.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 4 2.0 Project Background ............................................................................................................................................ 4 3.0 Desk-based Assessment ..................................................................................................................................... 6 3.1 Methodology .......................................................................................................................................................... 6 3.2 Cartographic Sources ............................................................................................................................................ 6 3.3 Aerial Imagery ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 3.4 Historic Environment Sources ................................................................................................................................ 6 4.0 Survey Methodology ............................................................................................................................................ 7 5.0 Survey Results ..................................................................................................................................................... 7 6.0 Conclusion and Recommendations ................................................................................................................... 8 7.0 References ............................................................................................................................................................ 8 List of illustrations Figure 1: Site location map Figure 2: Location of the survey area List of plates Plate 1: Image showing the ground and weather conditions © AOC Archaeology 2017 | PAGE 2 OF 8 | www.aocarchaeology.com/inverness 70240: Meall Buidhe, Ardgay, Sutherland, Archaeological Walkover Survey Report Abstract This report details the results of an archaeological walkover survey undertaken over the area of a proposed wind farm at Meall Buidhe, Ardgay, Sutherland. The survey was required due to the location of the development site within an area considered to have the potential for unrecorded historic environment features to be present. The walkover survey was undertaken on 21st November 2017. No archaeological sites were identified and there is no recommendation for further work. © AOC Archaeology 2017 | PAGE 3 OF 8 | www.aocarchaeology.com/inverness 70240: Meall Buidhe, Ardgay, Sutherland, Archaeological Walkover Survey Report 1.0 Introduction 1.1 An archaeological walkover survey was required on behalf of Muirden Energy LLP with regard to the construction of a proposed wind farm at Meall Buidhe, Ardgay, Sutherland. The aim of the survey was to identify and assess the nature and extent of any upstanding archaeology likely to be directly affected by the proposed development and to inform decisions on any further fieldwork or mitigation. 1.2 The site lies within the administrative area of Highland Council, which is advised on archaeological matters by Kirsty Cameron, Archaeologist, Highland Council Historic Environment Team. The walkover survey was specified in keeping with the policies outlined in Scottish Planning Policy (2014) and PAN 2/2011 Planning and Archaeology (2011) in order to record the extent and significance of any archaeological remains which may be present within the development area. 1.3 The survey was carried out on 21st November 2017. There were no archaeological sites identified. 2.0 Project Background 2.1 The survey area is located on the northeast facing slopes of Meall Buidhe and Beinn Ulbhaidh, centred on grid reference NH 45662 95502, to the southwest of the Kyle of Sutherland and west of the village of Ardgay (Figures 1; 2). The location of the turbine sites consists of undulating, open heathland backing on to northeast-facing slopes. A large number of small watercourses cut through the area, forming large areas of peat hags and waterlogged ground. The access track enters the site from woodland on the northeast side of the wind farm. The first 1km of the track will be constructed through heavily ploughed conifer woodland, while the remainder follows the alignment of an existing forest track that will be upgraded. 2.2 The proposed development is located in a wider area that is rich in archaeological remains from prehistory through to more recent times. In the landscape to the southwest of the site, in Strath Cuileannach, are a number of post-medieval farmsteads spread along the river valley (e.g. Allt Thomais township MHG24690, buildings and enclosure at Alltan Dhubh MHG40562 and the Airidhnantuath settlement MHG7437). Further farmsteads are recorded to the south from Croick to Braelangwell. In addition, prehistoric remains are also evident in this area, such as a burnt mound at Croick (MHG7436) and hut circle at Braelangwell (MHG39025). To the northeast of the site is a broch, Carn Mor (MHG7421) together with post-medieval settlement such as Kilmachalmack township (MHG9173) and Wester Achnahanat township (MHG25254). © AOC Archaeology 2017 | PAGE 4 OF 8 | www.aocarchaeology.com/inverness 70240: Meall Buidhe, Ardgay, Sutherland, Archaeological Walkover Survey Report Figure 1: Site location map © AOC Archaeology 2017 | PAGE 5 OF 8 | www.aocarchaeology.com/inverness 70240: Meall Buidhe, Ardgay, Sutherland, Archaeological Walkover Survey Report Figure 2: Location of the survey area (plan supplied by Muirden Energy) © AOC Archaeology 2017 | PAGE 6 OF 8 | www.aocarchaeology.com/inverness 70240: Meall buidhe, Ardgay, Sutherland, Archaeological Walkover Survey Report 3.0 Desk-based Assessment 3.1 Methodology 3.1.1 A desk-based assessment was conducted prior to commencement of the survey in order to assess the archaeological potential of the area based on previously recorded sites and any historical documentation. A full check of all available historical and archaeological records, aerial photographs and historical maps was conducted using the Highland Council Historical Environment Record, the National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE), Ordnance Survey Name Books, Historic Environment Scotland’s databases, the National Library of Scotland, statistical accounts and other available records, literary sources or online resources about the site. 3.2 Cartographic Sources 3.2.1 Historical maps were consulted at the National Library of Scotland (NLS 2017) online. a) William Roy Military Survey of Scotland Highlands, 1747-52 Roy’s map shows the survey area as open heathland. b) Ordnance Survey 1st Edition 6-inch-to-the-mile map Ross-shire & Cromartyshire (Mainland), Sheet XVII (includes: Kincardine) Survey Date: 1875 Publication Date: 1881 This map shows the survey area as open moorland. c) Ordnance Survey 2nd Edition 6-inch-to-the-mile map Ross and Cromarty Sheet XVII (includes: Kincardine) Publication Date: 1907 Date revised: 1903 There is no change to the survey area. 3.3 Aerial Imagery 3.3.1 Satellite imagery was consulted on Bing Maps online (2017). There are no obvious sites visible. 3.4 Historic Environment Sources 3.4.1 A full search of the Highland Council Historic Environment Record and the National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE), via Canmore, was carried out and no archaeological sites were found in the development area. © AOC Archaeology 2017 | PAGE 6 OF 8 | www.aocarchaeology.com/inverness 70240: Meall buidhe, Ardgay, Sutherland, Archaeological Walkover Survey Report Two archaeological walkover surveys have been carried out in the vicinity of the survey area: EHG4022 NH 4550 9850 (centred) Inveroykel An archaeological survey was undertaken in 1990 in advance of an extension southwest of Inveroykel Wood. No sites of archaeological interest were known, and none were recorded during the survey.
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