EHG5627 - DBA and walkover survey - John O'Groats Mill, Caithness

AOC Archaeology Group was commissioned by the Princes Regeneration Trust in association with the North Highland Initiative to undertake the first phase of works of a much wider vision for the future of the abandoned John O'Groats Mill on the north coast of Caithness. These works, undertaken between 4th-8th March and 14th March, included a desk-based assessment and walkover survey of the land within the ownership of the mill owner. The desk-based assessment was undertaken prior to the on-site survey, although this has been an ongoing process throughout the survey and during the compilation of the final report. The assessment, which has amounted to a detailed archive search, was undertaken to gain a better understanding of the history and development of the mill and its landscape through largely secondary documentary sources and also to identify any potential heritage assets within the land boundary of the ownership of the mill. A background in general mill history and the Caithness area was also undertaken to place the site into its wider context. A walkover survey was conducted of the land within mill owner's ownership following on from identification of the heritage assets from the desk-based assessment to identify any additional heritage assets and to confirm the presence/location and condition of the known heritage assets on the site. A general walkover of the area was undertaken with general digital photography of the landscape and areas subject to the walkover. For any additional assets identified, notes and sketches were taken together with GPS positioning to locate the asset. The walkover survey identified very little in terms of additional heritage assets that could not be identified prior to the on-site works. <1>