EHG1640 - Trial trenching - Proposed Development at Inchbae Lodge

A trial trenching evaluation was undertaken by C Dagg in 2007 ahead of the proposed development the erection of one new cottage and two semi-detached chalets to the east of the existing buildings at Inchbae Lodge, immediately south of the A835 Garve-Ullapool road and north of the River Blackwater. Associated works were to include construction of a new access road and areas of hardstanding, septic tank and soakaway, drainage and landscaping of the development area. A borehole was also proposed to the west of the main development area to the north of Inchbae Lodge, and an area to the east of the small burn was being considered for the future addition of two more chalets. At least 7% of the total development area was investigated. Ten areas were investigated by machine, concentrating initially on the terrace south and east of the chalets where a burial ground was locally considered to have been located. After this, a mix of high and low ground were investigated, including areas which would be subjected to seasonal flooding. No investigative trench was opened east of the small stream, as a visual investigation had concluded that there was a very low potential for buried archaeology. Trenches were a minimum of 1.5m wide, covering the development area spatially and were a mix of linear and box shaped trenches, extended as necessary to expose and evaluate archaeological features. Two potentially important archaeological sites which may have affected the development were not located and may be considered not to be present. The remains of a 19th century building was considered to be of local interest and should be protected from damage. It was adjacent to the proposed chalet and car parking bays, but not directly under any proposed structure and could be retained as a landscape feature. A turf dyke in trench 9 and areas of cobbling, while of some local interest as features of former land use, were investigated and recorded fully and this was considered to be an adequate investigation. No further action was recommended to preserve or record these features. <1>