Site Event/Activity record EHG1635 - Watching brief on high voltage cabling near Dornoch

Location

Location
Grid reference Centred NH 79434 90084 (561m by 162m) (Approximate)
Map sheet NH79SE
Geographical Area SUTHERLAND
Operational Area CAITHNESS SUTHERLAND AND EASTER ROSS
Civil Parish DORNOCH

Technique(s)

Organisation

Highland Archaeology Services Ltd

Date

March 2007

Map

Description

An archaeological watching brief and desk-based assessment were conducted in March 2007 to establish the nature and extent of any archaeology likely to be affected by the underground laying of a high voltage electrical cable near Dornoch, Sutherland. Although no recorded sites lay directly in the path of the new cable trench, both field archaeology and documentary records indicate a long history of settlement in the south-eastern part of Sutherland. The desk-based assessment which preceded the watching brief highlighted the discovery of a Neolithic polished stone axe (Highland SMR NH79SE0045) and microlith (Highland SMR NH79SE0063) within the adjoining fields of the watching brief area. In 1938 during deep ploughing a local farmer uncovered the remains of two stone burial cists and evidence of the remains of a burial cairn (Highland SMR NH79SE0013) in the field east of the new cable trench (O.S. location NH 798 902). The power-cable trench was cut at a width of 2m, using a mechanical excavator fitted with a straight-edged 2m wide ditching bucket. 10 features were identified; 4 field drains, 1 post hole, 4 pits and a feature of no archaeological significance. A possible rudimentary sandstone quern stone was also discovered. The limitations of the trench width made it impossible to reveal the true archaeological potential of the area. <1>

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> Text/Report/Fieldwork Report: Peteranna, M & Wombell, J. 2007. Dornoch Primary Substation Security, Dornoch, Sutherland: Archaeological Watching Brief. Highland Archaeology Services Ltd. . .

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Record last edited

Oct 21 2014 3:51PM

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