EHG5687 - DBA and walkover survey - proposed South Kilbraur Wind Farm

An archaeological walkover survey was carried out by AOC Archaeology Group in 2019, commissioned by Atmos Consulting, of the area of the proposed South Kilbraur Wind Farm development site. The work survey was undertaken between the 11th to the 15th of February 2019 in clear weather. The survey was undertaken in order to inform the finalised design of the proposed development and was, therefore, carried out prior to the final design freeze. The survey included an area to the south of The Old Croft House which was subsequently excluded from the proposed development site. The area to the north of Dunrobin Glen which includes the access track to the operational Kilbraur Wind Farm was not surveyed as no new infrastructure is proposed there, although it is proposed to reopen and extend the existing borrow pits. One hundred and thirty one non-designated archaeological assets (Sites 178-307 and 311) were identified during the survey. Thirty four of these assets are located outwith the proposed development site (Sites 194-214, 216-22, 272-275, 277, 281 and 311). All the assets that were identified were allocated new site numbers for completeness, however, it is likely that there is at least some overlap with the assets that have previously been recorded by the NRHE and the HER. All known heritage features within 50m of the Proposed Development (working areas) will be fenced off with a visible buffer under archaeological supervision prior to the start of the construction phase in order to avoid accidental damage. Given the potential for presently unknown archaeological remains, in particular of prehistoric date, to survive within the proposed development site, a programme of archaeological works to investigate and mitigate against the possibility of uncovering hitherto unknown remains will be undertaken. An archaeological watching brief will be undertaken during ground-breaking works. The scope and extent of the proposed works will be determined by the Highland Council Historic Environment Team (HCHET). The purpose of such works will be to identify any archaeological remains threatened by the proposed development, to assess their significance and to mitigate any effect upon them either through avoidance or, if preservation in situ is not warranted, through preservation by record. <1>