Upper , , Upper Smerral Wind Cluster

Archaeological Desk-based Assessment and Walkover Survey

National Grid Reference ND 1636 3415 Planning ref 10/03501/FUL Site Code SME12 Author Mary Peteranna RoCAS Report # 2012-19/SME12 Client Green Cat Renewables Date 24-10-12, rev. 21-8-13 OASIS Report # rosscrom1-136370

Ryefield Farm Tore Ross-shire IV6 7SB Email: [email protected] Mob: 07776 027306 Ph: 01463 811310 SME12 – Archaeological Walkover Survey: Upper Smerral Wind Cluster

CONTENTS

List of Figures 2

List of Plates 2

Summary 3

1 Introduction 3

2 Acknowledgements 3

3 Site location 4

4 Archaeological and Historical Background 5

5 Methodology 5

5.1 Desk-based Assessment 5 5.2 Walkover Survey 5

6 Results 5

6.1 Desk-based Assessment 5 6.1.1 Cartographic Sources 6 6.1.2 Historic Environment Sources 6

6.2 Walkover Survey Results 12

7 Discussion 14

7.1 Direct impacts 14 7.2 Indirect impacts 14 7.3 Conclusions 19

8 Mitigation and recommendations 19

9 References 20

Appendix 1 Index of Photographs 21

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LIST OF FIGURES

1 - Location for the Upper Smerral Wind Cluster 4 2 - Scheduled monuments and archaeological sites surrounding the proposed wind turbine site 11 3 - Scheduled monuments and archaeological sites locations, showing direction of photographs 13

LIST OF PLATES

Cover - View southeast over Minera broch, SM568 (Photo 6 1 - Overlooking a small cairn, Site 1, facing SW towards Morven, Maiden Pap and Scaraben (Photo 1) 2 2 - Looking NE from Cnoc Breac across the proposed location for the three new turbines (Photo 3) 12 3 - Small cairn on Cnoc Breac, Site 1, facing WSW (Photo 2) 12 4 - Looking SE from Minera broch, SM568, towards the proposed turbine locations (Photo 7) 15 5 - Looking ESE from Minera standing stone, SM457, towards the proposed turbine locations (Photo 8) 16 6 - Looking NNE from Minera standing stone, SM457, towards Buolfruich Wind Farm (Photo 9) 16 7 - Looking ENE from Buolacrabher chambered cairn, SM445, towards the proposed turbine locations (Photo 10) 17 8 - Looking NE from Bridge of Badnagie chambered cairn, SM425, towards the proposed turbine locations (Photo 11) 17 9 - Looking NNE from Bridge of Badnagie standing stone, SM530, towards the proposed turbine locations (Photo 12) 18 10 - Looking SW from Crask farmstead, MHG13590, towards the proposed turbine locations (Photo 4) 18

Plate 1 Overlooking a small cairn, Site 1, facing SW towards Morven, Maiden Pap and Scaraben (Photo 1)

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UPPER SMERRAL WIND CLUSTER Archaeological Desk-based Assessment and Walkover Survey

Summary

An archaeological desk-based assessment and walkover survey was carried out on the 17th of October 2012 on behalf of Green Cat Renewables in advance of the installation of three E44 wind turbines at Upper Smerral, near Latheron in Caithness. The work was undertaken to assess the nature and extent of any archaeology likely to be affected within the proposed development area for the wind turbines and access road in order to inform recommendations for the protection and management of any sites identified. One new archaeological site, which is unlikely to be directly impacted by the development, was recorded.

The desk-based assessment has identified a substantial number of Post Medieval and Prehistoric monuments and settlement sites, including scheduled monuments, in the surrounding landscape. A study of these sites, conducted in order to assess the indirect impacts on the cultural heritage in the landscape, has concluded that revised proposal for three turbines will not result in significantly increased impact than already exists on the sites from the existing Buolfruich Wind Farm and overhead power lines.

1 Introduction

1.1 An archaeological desk-based assessment and walkover survey was carried out in advance of development of a site for three wind turbines at Upper Smerral, near Latheron, Caithness (centred on NGR ND 1636 3415) on behalf of Green Cat Renewables. The archaeological work was requested by the Council Historic Environment Team (HET) in 2010 during the initial stages of planning as the proposed location for the wind cluster is located at the centre of an area rich in Prehistoric and Post Medieval sites. A number of Scheduled Monuments were also likely to be indirectly affected by the installation of the new turbines.

1.2 The desk-based assessment and walkover survey undertaken in advance of the proposed wind cluster development recorded one minor archaeological site within the survey area, a small cairn, which will not be directly affected by the development. The sites of several Scheduled Monuments were also visited during the fieldwork in order to assess the indirect impacts of the development. It was found during the survey that the visual impacts of the new development were of minimal concern when compared to the visibility of Buolfruich Wind Farm situated to the NNW of the development and the presence of 132kV power lines running along the southeast side of Cnoc Breac.

1.3 In August 2013, further consideration was given to the indirect and cumulative impacts of the cultural heritage sites near the development site, following the reduction in size of the proposed turbines. Based on the results of photomontages and wirelines for the Scheduled Monuments (SMs), the area around Minera, which included three SMs and numerous other Post Medieval and prehistoric sites, the visual impact on these sites were found to be the most significant. However, the natural landscape setting for these sites, which overlook the Burn of Houstry to west and south, would not be impacted.

2 Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Rachael Sparrow of Green Cat Renewables for commissioning the work and supplying information in advance of the survey and Kirsty Cameron at the Highland Council

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Historic Environment Team. Fieldwork was carried out by Steven Birch. Ordnance Survey mapping is reproduced by permission of ProMap license #LIG1044.

2 Site Location

3.1 The proposed wind turbine site is centred on grid reference ND 1636 3415 in Upper Smerral, located in the parish of Latheron in Caithness (Figure 1). It is situated approximately 2km WNW of Latheron and 3km NNE of near the northeast coast of Scotland. Three E44 turbines at a height of 67m are proposed to be erected on the NE slopes of Cnoc Breac, a small knoll located 1km to the SSE of Buolfruich Wind Farm at Houstry. Approximately 1km of access road will be constructed on the south side of the -Houstry Road. The mountains of Morven, Maiden Pap and Scaraben are located on the southwest side of the development location (Plate 1).

3.2 The underlying geology of the site is generally Middle Old Red Sandstone comprising conglomerate, sandstone, mudstone and siltstone1. The turbine sites are located on an area of peat moorland along the northeast slope of Cnoc Breac under heather, rushes and deer grasses. The area proposed for development lies within a fenced area that has been mounded and planted for a native woodland planting scheme.

Figure 1 Location for the Upper Smerral Wind Cluster

1 BGS, 2010

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4 Archaeological and Historical Background

4.1 The glens between Latheron and Dunbeath contain a significant number of prehistoric archaeological sites, including brochs, roundhouse settlements, standing stones, chambered cairns and burnt mounds, which span the Neolithic Period through to the Iron Age. The castles of Dunbeath and Latheron were first constructed during the 13th and 15th centuries.

4.2 Smerral formed part of the lands owned by Sinclair of Dunbeath. There was significant Post Medieval settlement near Smerral around the Burn of Houstry and Burn of Latheronwheel valleys by the mid-18th century. During the 19th century increasing numbers of crofts were occupied in Smerral, Achnagoul, and Houstry due to evictions from Sutherland.

5 Methodology

The overall aim of this desk-based assessment and archaeological walkover survey was to identify and record any unknown archaeological sites or features that might be directly affected by the construction of the wind turbine development and to assess the indirect effects on previously recorded archaeological sites in the surrounding landscape. This would enable informed mitigation measures and recommendations to be proposed to ensure that the value of the cultural heritage would not be compromised by the erection of three 67m-high wind turbines at Upper Smerral.

5.1 Desk-based Assessment

5.1.1 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.

5.1.2 A search was made of all relevant records from the National Monuments Record of Scotland (NMRS) and the Highland Council Historic Environment Record (HHER). Cartographic and other written records from the National Library of Scotland were also assessed for information relating to the area proposed for survey and other literary sources were consulted. Online aerial photographs were also checked for any relevant site information where possible.

5.2 Walkover Survey

5.2.1 The landscape around the proposed access route and turbine locations was walked over and surveyed on the 17th of October 2012. A corridor of approximately 250-350m around the development site was surveyed. The weather for the survey day was mostly cloudy with occasional squalls and the ground was very wet underfoot. The vegetation comprised heather, deer grasses and rushes.

5.2.2 Archaeological sites and on-site landscape views were recorded using high-resolution digital photography. Only one site location was recorded, using a handheld Trimble Geo-XR Rover capable of decimetre accuracy.

5.2.3 Survey and recording methods from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) were employed and all work was conducted in strict adherence to the Institute for Archaeologists (IfA) Code of Conduct2.

2 Institute for Archaeologists 2010

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6 Results

The following sections present the results of the desk-based assessment and walkover survey.

6.1 Desk-based Assessment

A desk-based assessment was carried out in advance of the walkover survey in order to assess the archaeological potential of the area based on previously recorded sites and any historical documentation on sites in close proximity to the proposed development area.

6.1.1 Cartographic Sources

Mapping held at the National Library of Scotland (NLS) in Edinburgh was checked on-line and produced the following results:

6.1.1.1 William Roy’s Military Survey of Scotland, 1747-52 Roy’s map of the area shows substantial settlement along the Dunbeath and Latheron valleys. ‘Smeraill’ is depicted with a farmstead of five structures and rig and furrow cultivation covering the western slopes of the Burn of Latheronwheel.

6.1.1.2 The 1st and 2nd editions of the Ordnance Survey maps did not depict any sites within the proposed development site.

6.1.2 Historic Environment Sources

A full search of the Highland Council Historic Environment Record, Historic Scotland, Canmore and NMRS records revealed that no sites had been previously identified in the survey area. Due to the nature of the development, the sites located in the surrounding landscape were of significant interest in order to assess the indirect impacts that the new turbines might have on the cultural heritage in the landscape.

The scheduled monuments and main sites of interest (Figure 2) include hut circles, chambered cairns, brochs, standing stones, burnt mounds and farmsteads. Listed below, these sites were examined as part of the assessment of the indirect effects of the development on the cultural heritage of the area and focused on sites 2km from the proposed development.

6.1.2.1 Scheduled Monuments

SM445 ND 15313 33149 Buolacrabher, chambered cairn 1550m S of An Orkney-Cromarty, Camster type, round chambered cairn, considerably robbed, with a N-S axis, measures55ft by about 70ft across the main chamber. The chamber, comprising the tops of five slabs, was probably entered by a passage from the S edge of the cairn.

SM6014 ND 1544 3350 Buolacrabher, prehistoric settlement 1170m S of The monument comprises two hut circles and associated traces of settlement and cultivation located on a terrace on the E side of the Burn of Houstry.

SM5224 ND 15019 33370 Buolacrabher, chambered cairn 1350m SSW of The monument consists of the remains of a chambered cairn of Neolithic/Bronze Age date. The cairn is about 14.6m in diameter; a number of slabs of stone protrude through the turf in the approximate centre of the cairn and indicate the existence of a chamber. The cairn is crossed by

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a modern sheep shelter. The 2 longest slabs on the S of the shelter are 0.3m above the present ground level, while the 2 at right angles to the shelter and the slab to the N of them are 0.6m high.

SM425 ND 15680 32470 Bridge of Badnagie, chambered cairn 610m NNW of The denuded remains of a round cairn are at 95m OD in field of pasture above Burn of Houstry. Six large upright slabs indicate the position and plan of the chamber. The edge of the cairn is just discernible round SW quadrant and suggests an original diameter of roughly 21m with a SSE entrance. The small amount of cairn material remaining is turf-covered and on other sides merges with slope of the low knoll on which cairn was built. The W side of the cairn is crossed by a wall.

SM 530 ND 16020 32570 Bridge of Badnagie, standing stone 600m N of A stone, situated on a flat moorland measures 1.6m high by 1.5m wide and 0.6m thick. The standing stone is hidden from the main part of the valley of the Burn of Houstry and can only be seen from the basin in the hills centred on the farm of Greentulloch. What appears to be a small pen has been constructed at foot of the W part of the stone.

SM5089 ND16270 32330 Greentulloch, broch 180m NE of The remains of the broch comprising a turf-covered mound measure 23m in diameter and 1.5m high, with the lintelled entrance and a curved stretch of outer wall face 8m long and two courses high, exposed on SE side.

SM457 ND 15530 34230 Minera, standing stone 470m S of Located 50 yards SE of Houstry School is a standing stone measuring 8ft high, 2ft5in wide and 1ft 5in thick. It is pointed at the top and faces E-W.

SM568 ND 15580 34610 Minera, broch 90m SSE of A broch, which lies within a relatively recent stone-walled enclosure immediately to S of the farmstead of Minera, has been reduced to little more than a large grass-grown mound of rubble. The mound has been extensively dug into for stone, and measures 24m from NW-SE by 18m overall, its W side rising in three well-defined tiers. The visible portion of the broch forms the uppermost tier of the mound, with an overall diameter of about 10m. It is a classic example of a Caithness broch – a large, grass covered, stony mound, lying close to later crofting remains.

SM6015 ND157 344, 158 345, and 1581 3467 Minera, hut circles 300m SSE of, 370M ESE of and 270m E of Three groups of hut circles and associated clearances cairns area located on a W-facing slope to NW of Cnoc Breac.

6.1.2.2 Highland Council Historic Environment Record (HHER) Sites

EHG3063 ND 15513 33993 Walkover survey of blocks of land at Houstry and Smerral Stuart Farrell was commissioned by UPM Tilhill in July 2009 to undertake an archaeological desktop and walkover survey for two blocks of proposed forestry at Houstry and Smerral by Latheron, Caithness, Highland. This survey covered part of the area for the new turbine development, although no sites were identified within it.

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MHG28692 ND 15690 34750 Burnt mound, Minera A possible burnt mound is located 100m NE of the abandoned farmstead of Minera. It is oval in shape with shallow hollows on the SW side and centre and measures 10.1m N-S by 8.7m and stands 0.6m high.

MHG28694 ND 15540 34700 Minera Farmstead The farmstead of Minera is situated immediately to the N of Minera broch and comprises a main range of buildings running E and W, with several outbuildings immediately S of its W end, and at least two, and possibly three, other buildings to the SE of the E end. The buildings that are still roofed are presently covered with sheets of corrugated iron, but they have been thatched at some point. The roofless building at the E end of the main range has cruck-slots visible, and there is evidence of rebuilding in at least two parts of the range. There are other ruinous structures in the vicinity.

MHG28696 ND 15540 34900 Hut circle, Minera A small hut circle is situated on a terrace east of the road and south of a burn channel. It measures 8,3m in diameter, 2.5m wide and 0.2m high.

MHG13533 ND 15800 35060 Farmstead, Longal, Newlands of Houstry A long linear roofed building aligned ENE-WSW is shown at this location on the 1st Ed Ordnance Survey mapping.

MHG13590 ND 16860 34260 Settlement, Crask A Post Medieval settlement is located NE of Cnoc Breac.

MHG54747-MHG54752 ND 1689 3385 Post Medieval settlement, Smerral A group of six Post Medieval settlement buildings is located SE of the survey area.

MHG54756 ND 16037 34689 Farmstead, Newlands of Houstry MHG13605 ND 15900 34800 Farmstead, Newlands of Houstry Two unroofed rectangular buildings are marked on latest OS map. There is a single roofed building on the 1st edition OS and the 2nd edition OS shows 1 roofed and 1 unroofed rectangular building.

MHG1155 ND 15880 33530 Cairn, Cnoc Sheangan This cairn is situated on leading edge of a peat-covered terrace on E side of valley of the Burn of Houstry, and commands extensive views from the NW to the SW. The cairn, which measures 13m in diameter by 0.9m in height, is grass and heather grown, but stone is visible protruding through most of its surface, and also where it has been dug into on the W and E. A square-based marker cairn some 1.3m in height has been built on the summit of the cairn, and a small pen or shelter has been constructed in the disturbance on the NE.

MHG1173 ND 16170 33040 Cairns, Cnoc Sheangan This cairn is situated on a low ridge to the SW of Cnoc Sheangan, in the open moorland forming the north side of the basin in the hills centred on Greentulloch. Covered in a layer of peat and short heather, little trace of any stone is visible on the surface of the mound, which measures about 9m in diameter by 0.5m in average height, but rises to 0.8m in maximum height on the NW. What may be a small cairn some 4m in diameter by 0.5m in height lies approximately 20m NNW of the cairn. On the spine of a low ridge, is a heather and turf- covered cairn, 12m in diameter and 0.7m high. It has been mutilated, and its summit is occupied by the footings of a bothy, measuring 6m by 3m.

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MHG28691 ND 16180 33320 Hut circle, W side of Cnoc Sheagan This hut circle lies on a level terrace at the foot of rock outcrops forming the W side of the ridge known as Cnoc Sheangan; it is bisected by a wire fence on metal stanchions running from N to S along the side of the ridge. The hut circle measures about 9.5m from N to S by 8.2m transversely within a wall spread up to 2m in thickness by 0.6m in height. The entrance was probably on the S, where the wire fence passes through the line of the wall. There is further prehistoric settlement remains, including clearance cairns and hut circles, to the S of this site.

MHG1174 ND 16410 33140 Burnt mound, Cnoc Sheangan This large burnt mound is situated on E side of one of the shallow gullies that extend up on to the S flank of Cnoc Sheangan. Penannular on plan, it measures 12m from ENE-WSW by 11.2m transversely overall and encloses a hollow interior some 3m in diameter.

MHG1175 ND 16440 33110 Hut circle, Cnoc Sheangan This hut circle is set on level ground at the foot of a natural scarp. It measures 5.5m in internal diameter, and its wall has been reduced to a peat and heather-covered bank 1.6m in thickness and up to 0.4m in height.

MHG1170 ND 15570 32980 Hut circle, Cnoc Sheangan The hut circle is located in an area of dense gorse and bracken on a terrace overlooking abandoned farmstead at Cuag overlooking the Burn of Houstry. It measures 10.5m N-S by 9m transversely within walls 0.3m in height and spread 1.8m in thickness. The entrance is on S or SSE. A group of at least 10 small cairns (field clearance) is visible along the terrace north of the hut circle.

MHG28689 ND 16440 33200 Burnt mound, Cnoc Sheangan This burnt mound is situated on the W side of a drain some 40m NNE of the burnt mound ND13SE 48. The size and shape of the mound are obscured by a spread of upcast, but a layer of burnt mound material 0.4m in thickness had been exposed in the side of the drain for a distance of at least 7m. On the opposite side of the drain there is a group of large stones, some of which appear to have been set upright, although others are in natural positions. They may indicate the remains of a small rectangular structure, the orthostatic wall forming the N side incorporating a slab at the NW corner measuring 0.6m by 0.15m and 0.9m in height.

MHG28699 ND15320 32800 Hut circle, Burn of Houstry MHG28697-8 ND 15310 32760 Cairn, Burn of Houstry A small hut circle lies in open peat moorland some 40m NNE of the cairn. It measures 6m N-S by 8m within heather-covered walls 0.5m in maximum height and spread 1.5m wide. Several stones are visible along the line of the wall and two large orthostats frame a possible entrance on the SE. The remains of a heather-covered cairn are situated about 270m SE of a second cairn above the Burn of Houstry. The cairns measure 13-13.5m in diameter and stand to a maximum height of 1m.

MHG13591 ND 15520 32980 Township, Cuag Situated at the base of the river terrace on the east bank of the Burn of Houstry, it comprises two farmsteads around a yard, a kiln, and several enclosures. The building forming the east end of main south farmstead has opposing entrances and cruck slots are visible in its walls. To the southeast of the farmstead is a kiln measuring 5m N-S by 4m with a circular stoke hole on the southwest. The OS Name Book describes Cuag as a 'farmsteading and dwelling house on the slope between the public road and the Burn of Houstry, about 2 miles NE from Dunbeath, property of Sinclair Esq of Dunbeath Castle' (Name Book, Caithness, No. 6, p. 23).

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MHG28700 ND 16730 32910 Farmstead, Achnagoul The ruins of this farmstead are situated in open moorland on the NE fringe of the shallow basin in the hills that is named Achnagoul. The farmstead is shown roofed on the first edition of the OS 6-inch map (Caithness 1872, sheet xxxix), at which time it comprised an L-shaped range with two detached buildings and two enclosures, but by 1906 only the detached building to the SE of the range was still roofed (Caithness 1906, sheet xxxix).

MHG33322 ND 16439 32562 Farmstead, Achnagoul Roofed buildings are shown in this location on the 1st Ed Ordnance Survey mapping.

MHG33328 ND 16444 32544 Farmstead, N of Greentulloch Roofed buildings are marked in this location on the 1st Ed Ordnance Survey mapping.

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Figure 2 Scheduled monuments and archaeological sites surrounding the proposed wind turbine site

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6.2 Walkover Survey

The walkover survey revealed one archaeological site (Plate 3 and Figures 2 and 3). Site 1 is a small, circular cairn comprising small-medium stones. It measures 1.5m in diameter and stands up to 0.4m high. Although its use and significance are uncertain, it may be a small marker cairn.

No other archaeological sites were recorded in the survey area.

Plate 2 Looking NE from Cnoc Breac across the proposed location for the three new turbines (Photo 3)

Plate 3 Small cairn on Cnoc Breac, Site 1, facing WSW (Photo 2)

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Figure 3 Scheduled monuments and archaeological sites locations showing direction of photographs (red arrows)

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7 Discussion

7.1 Direct impacts

The archaeological desk-based assessment and walkover survey of the development area at Upper Smerral revealed one archaeological site. Site 1, a small cairn, is located 35m from the SE side of southernmost turbine. The cairn measures 1.5m in diameter and is unlikely to be of regional importance. The site will not be directly affected by the construction of the turbines and there are no other known sites directly at risk.

7.2 Indirect impacts

An assessment of the indirect effects on the archaeological and historical sites within 2km of the development (Figures 2 and 3) was conducted. These sites were identified during the desk- based assessment. Figure 3 shows the location and direction of photographs taken from the sites during the present survey.

As per Historic Scotland guidance, the setting of the sites was considered during this study in order to assess how an archaeological or cultural heritage site is “experienced, understood and appreciated,” with the understanding that buildings and monuments were often sited in specific locations with respect to the landscape and other structures3.

7.2.1 Sites to the NW

Three scheduled monuments (three hut circle groups, a broch and a standing stone) at Minera, SM457, SM568 and SM6015 and ten nearby archaeological sites located to the northwest of the proposed turbine site were assessed for the indirect impacts on the setting by the development. The views to the proposed turbine locations from Minera broch (SM568) and Minera standing stone (SM457) are shown in Plates 4 and 5 below. The wind cluster will be partially visible from the monuments: turbine blades and sections of the turbine columns are likely to be visible from each of the sites.

Cumulatively, the sites are affected significantly to the north by Buolfruich Wind Farm (Plate 6) and would be affected to a lesser degree by the visibility of Upper Smerral to the southeast. The impact of the proposed Upper Smerral turbines is considered low with respect to the domineering visual impact on the sites by Buolfruich Wind Farm to the north. When considering the setting of the sites, the specific locations appear to be related to the Burn of Houstry valley to the west, south and north where the locations of the most substantial monuments (SMs) lie. The proposed Upper Smerral Wind Cluster will not affect this aspect of their setting.

7.2.2 Sites to the SW

Three scheduled monuments (cairns and a hut circle settlement) at Buolacrabher, SM6014, SM5224 and SM445, and four nearby archaeological sites located to the southwest of the proposed turbine sites were assessed for the indirect impacts on the setting by the development. The tips of one turbine will be visible from hut circle settlement (SM6014), which is located in the base of the burn valley. The setting of this site will not be impacted by Upper Smerral.

The view to the proposed turbine locations from Buolacrabher chambered cairn (SM445) is shown in Plate 7. The chambered cairn locations and other nearby archaeological sites will

3 Historic Scotland 2010

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have distant views of the turbines on the skyline in the same direction as the existing wind farm at Buolfruich. The cumulative impact is considered no greater than the existing effects on the site by Buolfruich. In particular the line of sight and intervisibility between the major monuments in the burn valley will not be impeded - thus the value of the landscape setting of the sites will not be affected.

7.2.3 Sites to the S

Three scheduled monuments (a standing stone, a chambered cairn and a broch) at Bridge of Badnagie, SM425, SM530 and SM5089, located to the south of the proposed turbine sites, will have distant views of the turbines on the skyline in the same direction as the overhead power lines. Plate 8 shows the view towards the turbine locations from SM425 and Plate 9 shows the view towards the turbine locations from SM530. As well, any visual impact by the turbines on the broch (SM5089) is completely overshadowed by the power lines in the same viewing direction.

As with the sites to the southwest, the scattered archaeological sites on the slopes and at the base of Cnoc Breac and Cnoc Sheangan may have partial but minor views to the development. Many of the sites are hidden to the view by the hillslope and many are sheltered in the burn valley. Most importantly, the intended landscape setting of the sites and the intervisibility between the individual sites and SMs will not be affected by the proposed development.

7.2.4 Sites to the E and SE

The farmsteads to the east and southeast sides of the proposed development location appear to have a negligible visual impact from the new turbines. Plate 10 shows that the farmstead at Crask is situated in a hollow and is already overshadowed by the electricity pylons to the west. The proposed turbine sites are not visible from here, and the other sites at Smerral.

Plate 4 Looking SE from Minera broch, SM568, towards the proposed turbine locations (Photo 7)

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Plate 5 Looking ESE from Minera standing stone, SM457, towards the proposed turbine locations (Photo 8)

Plate 6 Looking NNE from Minera standing stone, SM457, towards Minera Broch and Buolfruich Wind Farm (Photo 9)

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Plate 7 Looking ENE from Buolacrabher chambered cairn, SM445, towards the proposed turbine locations (Photo 10)

Plate 8 Looking NE from Bridge of Badnagie chambered cairn, SM425, towards the proposed turbine locations (Photo 11)

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Plate 9 Looking NNE from Bridge of Badnagie standing stone, SM530, towards the proposed turbine locations (Photo 12)

Plate 10 Looking SW from Crask farmstead, MHG13590, towards the proposed turbine locations (Photo 4)

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7.3 Conclusions

7.3.1 Indirect impacts

During the study, it was found that the Scheduled Monuments at Minera and nearby recorded sites will be affected the most due to their situation between the Buolfruich Wind Farm and the proposed Upper Smerral wind cluster. Nonetheless, it was determined that the west- and south- facing aspects from the sites, which overlooks the Burn of Houstry valley and other regionally important sites, will not be affected and the value of the archaeological sites will not be compromised by the development.

Overall, this assessment has found that the landscape setting of the Scheduled Monuments and nearby archaeological sites with 2km of the development will not be adversely affected by the proposed wind turbines. This conclusion is based on an assessment of the intervisibility between the monuments, which are situated on the slopes and at the base of the N-S aligned Burn of Houstry valley. There is a clear relationship between the valley and the palimpsest of settlement sites and monuments in this location – the sites are most valuable as part of a whole landscape rather than as a site on its own. The proposed development does not appear to impede the understanding of this landscape setting and the way that the sites relate to one another. Furthermore, there will be no impact by the development on the condition of and access to these sites.

7.3.2 Cumulative impacts

The impact of the Upper Smerral wind cluster on these sites cannot be assessed on its own. In almost every case, the sites have already been indirectly affected by either the Buolfruich Wind Farm or the existing 132kV overhead power lines (Plates 6 and 10). There is difficulty when assessing the indirect and cumulative impacts of such a location. The entire landscape within and beyond the 2km study area, contains an intense amount of prehistoric and Post Medieval settlement ruins. Furthermore, the Upper Smerral wind cluster will be located on a prominent rise which is visible from the A9 and should be a consideration.

Adding three further turbine sites to the landscape admittedly has a cumulative effect. However, as discussed in Sections 7.2.1 - 7.2.4, the visual impact of the proposed turbines on the majority of the cultural heritage sites affected within the 2km area will be overshadowed by those of the existing wind farm at Buolfruich and the overhead power lines running NE-SW across the landscape and it seems that Upper Smerral will not increase any existing adverse indirect visual effects.

As discussed in Section 7.3.1, it was determined that the value of their landscape setting of the cultural heritage sites will not be adversely affected. One further consideration should be given to the condition of and access to the sites. None of the sites stand as prominent and highly visible sites in the landscape and none of them are specifically designated for visitors – although they are welcome to be viewed and will not be impeded or masked by the proposed wind cluster.

8 Mitigation and recommendations

Mitigation measures have been already been applied to the project by reducing the size and number of units in the three-turbine cluster. Due to these factors, combined with the above conclusions, we do not believe that the proposed development will cause further adverse effects

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on the archaeological sites and their landscape setting. Two recommendations are made below to avoid and direct impacts on archaeological remains:

8.1 A 5-metre buffer zone should be maintained around Site 1 during development works. It should be marked out with highly visible tape or flags prior to construction.

8.2 It is probable that archaeological remains may still be preserved below the areas covered by peat and below ground-level in general, and this should be taken into consideration during construction. Should any unexpected archaeological remains be uncovered during construction, the Highland Council Historic Environment Team should be notified immediately.

9 References

British Geological Survey (BGS) 2010 Digmap625, downloaded from Http://bgs.ac.uk

Highland Council Historic Environment Team (HET) 2010. HET Development Guidance, v 1.2. Http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourenvironment/conservation/archaeology/developmentguidance .htm.

Highland Council Historic Environment Team 2012. Highland Historic Environment Record (HHER). Http://her/highland.gov.uk

Historic Scotland 2010 Managing the Historic Environment Setting Accessed online at: http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/setting-2.pdf

Institute for Archaeologists (IfA) 2010. By-laws of the Institute for Archaeologists: Code of Conduct. Reading, IfA.

National Map Library of Scotland 2012 Accessed online at http://maps.nls.uk

Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS). April 2004. Survey and Recording Policy

The Scottish Government 2010. Scottish Planning Policy Http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/300760/0093908.pdf

British Geological Survey (BGS) 2010 Digmap625, downloaded from Http://bgs.ac.uk

20 SME12 – Archaeological Walkover Survey: Upper Smerral Wind Cluster

APPENDIX 1 Index of Photographs

Direction Taken No. Site Notes Date Facing By 1 WSW Site 1 Overlooking cairn, Site 1 SB 17/10/2012 2 WSW Site 1 Small cairn, Site 1 SB 17/10/2012 View over the proposed turbine locations from Cnoc Breac, 3 NE - SB 17/10/2012 near Site 1 View from farmstead to ENE of development area; site lies in MHG 4 SW a river valley and there is no visual impact on it from the SB 17/10/2012 13590 proposed turbine sites; site is overlooked by large pylons Looking over Minera broch, SM568, from the road towards 5 ESE SM568 SB 17/10/2012 survey area; tops of turbines may be visible from the sites Looking over Minera broch, SM568, from the road towards 6 SE SM568 SB 17/10/2012 survey area; tops of turbines may be visible from the sites Looking from Minera broch, SM568 towards survey area; 7 SE SM568 SB 17/10/2012 tops of turbines may be visible from the sites Looking over Minera standing stone, SM457, towards survey 8 ESE SM457 SB 17/10/2012 area; new turbines may break skyline Looking over Minera standing stone, SM457, and Minera 9 NNE SM457 broch, SM 568, towards Houstry wind farm and showing the SB 17/10/2012 impact of the present turbines Looking over chambered cairn, SM445, towards survey area; 10 ENE SM445 SB 17/10/2012 there should be no visual impact from the new turbines Looking over chambered cairn, SM425, towards survey area; 11 NE SM425 SB 17/10/2012 there should be no visual impact from the new turbines Looking over standing stone, SM530, towards survey area 12 NNE SM530 showing the new turbine site in background (ridge in SB 17/10/2012 distance) Looking over standing stone, SM530, towards survey area 13 NNE SM530 showing the new turbine site in background (ridge in SB 17/10/2012 distance) 14 ESE SM530 Prostrate standing stone located 25m to SE of SM530 SB 17/10/2012

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