Meall Buidhe, Ardgay, Sutherland Archaeological Walkover Survey Report

AOC 70240 November 2017

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

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.

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).

70240: Meall Buidhe, Ardgay, Sutherland, Archaeological Walkover Survey Report

Figure 1: Site location map

70240: Meall Buidhe, Ardgay, Sutherland, Archaeological Walkover Survey Report

Figure 2: Location of the survey area (plan supplied by Muirden Energy)

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.

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.

EHG3856 NH 5104 9688 (centred) Achnahanat

A walkover survey was carried out in 2011 in advance of woodland development at Achnahanat. The survey revealed one previously unrecorded archaeological site of a farmstead, which was located outwith the development area.

4.0 Survey Methodology

4.1 The archaeological survey was conducted by two archaeologists. The area of the proposed development was systematically walked and sites were recorded using written descriptions and high resolution digital photography, as well as their locations being recorded using an Archer Field PC unit capable of sub-metre accuracy.

4.2 Survey and recording methods recommended by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (2004) were employed and all work was conducted in strict adherence to the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) Code of Conduct (2014).

5.0 Survey Results

5.1 The walkover survey was carried out on 20th November 2017. The weather was cold with poor visibility at times (Plate 1). The ground conditions were generally unfavourable for archaeological remains. The wind farm site consists of open heather-covered ground with peat hags and stream run-offs. A new 1-km section of access track is to be constructed at the west end of the existing track; this will be put through thick, ploughed woodland. No archaeological remains were found during the survey.

Plate 1: Image showing the ground and weather conditions

70240: Meall buidhe, Ardgay, Sutherland, Archaeological Walkover Survey Report

6.0 Conclusion and Recommendations

6.1 The walkover survey at Meall Buidhe did not locate any archaeological remains, and, given the ground conditions, there are no concerns that any archaeology will be compromised during the construction works. There are no recommendations for any further work.

7.0 References

Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, 2014. By-laws of the Institute for Archaeologists: Code of Conduct. Reading: CIfA.

National Map Library of Scotland, 2017. Accessed at http://maps.nls.uk on 2nd November 2017

Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, 2004. Corporate Plan 2004-9: Annex-Survey and Recording Policy.

Scottish Government 2011. PAN 2/2011 Planning and Archaeology.

Scottish Government 2014. Scottish Planning Policy.

Highland Historic Environment Record (HHER). 2017. Accessed at her.highland.gov.uk on 17th November 2017.

AOC Archaeology (Inverness) The Old Estate Office Rosehaugh Estate Avoch IV9 8RF | tel: 01463 819841 | mob: 07972 259 255 | e-mail: [email protected]