Site Event/Activity record EHG3670 - Topographical survey - Ord Hill, Ross and Cromarty

Headland Archaeology Ltd carried out a detailed topographic archaeological survey of a Pictish fort on Ord Hill, near North Kessock, Ross and Cromarty in June 2011. The survey was commissioned by the Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) in order to provide a baseline record of the earthworks and surviving structural features of the fort. It will also inform conservation management and any future access and interpretation initiatives. A detailed topographic survey was undertaken of appropriate residual archaeological features such as earthworks and stone-built structures within the fort. Individual elements pertinent to archaeological conservation management (such as the position and extent of erosion scars, bracken, access paths etc), significant landscape features (such as major boulders and gullies) were included. The survey was undertaken consistent with a Level 2 survey (RCHAMS 2004). The surveys were carried out using a Trimble R6 differential GPS, allowing recording down to a scale of 1:20 (if necessary) depending upon the density of points taken. On Ord Hill, it was necessary to use a Leica total station to penetrate the dense vegetation covering the hillfort. The density of survey points was adapted to a reproduction of the survey at up to 1:250. <1> As part of the same project a survey was also carried out at the fort at Knock Farril (see EHG361).