Site Event/Activity record EHG1654 - Watching brief - Kilbraur Wind Farm, Strath Brora (2007)

Location

Location Land at Strath Brora
Grid reference Centred NC 78002 07217 (3029m by 2227m) (Centred)
Map sheet NC70NE
Geographical Area SUTHERLAND
Operational Area CAITHNESS SUTHERLAND AND EASTER ROSS
Civil Parish CLYNE
Civil Parish GOLSPIE
Civil Parish ROGART

Technique(s)

Organisation

Headland Archaeology Ltd

Date

January to March 2007

Map

Description

An archaeological watching brief took place during Phase 1 construction works. The work comprised monitoring the excavation for the main access track, including adjustments and the construction of drainage and silt traps along the route. This phase also involved monitoring of excavations for the movement of the site compound, expansion of the borrow pit and the construction of an "aluminium road". During this work two clearance cairns were excavated and other sites were marked and avoided. The excavation of the area for the sub station was also monitored: tree stumps were recovered showing cut marks and possible charring. <1> The tool-marked stumps were subject to a set of palaeoenvironmental analyses. Pollen, non-pollen palynomorph, plant macrofossil, dendrochronological and tool-mark analyses were undertaken. The stumps were found to date from the Neolithic, but the tool marks correlate well with Bronze Age too marks, from possible peat cutting activity, such as that found at nearby Loch Farlary. The pine trees were found to be long-lived and existed in a landscape where wet woodland and damp herbaceous vegetation eventually gave way to the development of heathland. <2>

Sources/Archives (2)

  • <1> Text/Report/Fieldwork Report: Matthews, A. 2007. Kilbraur Wind Farm, Strath Brora, Golspie, Highland: Phase 1 Construction Programme - Archaeological Watching Brief of Excavations for Access Track, Sub-Station and other Groundworks. Headland Archaeology Ltd. 03/09/2007. Paper and Digital.
  • <2> Text/Report/Fieldwork Report: Timpany, S, Dr. 03/2010. The palaeoenvironmental study of tool-marked prehistoric Pinus stumps from Kilbraur, near Golspie, Sutherland, Highland. Headland Archaeology Ltd. 31/03/2010. Paper and Digital.

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

  • Kilbraur Wind Farm (Monument)

Child/subsequent Site Events/Activities (1)

  • Excavation of clearance cairn, Kilbraur Wind Farm (Ref: SBW02)

Record last edited

Oct 21 2014 3:53PM

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