EHG3574 - DBA and walkover survey - Balnagown Estate, Creich

A desk-based assessment and walkover survey was carried out ahead of a new native tree-planting scheme at Duchally and Rosehall, Balnagown Estate, Creich, Sutherland. 31 features were recorded over five areas surveyed. These appear to be post-medieval but cannot be dated accurately without excavation. They occupy small areas of slightly favoured ground which would have been equally attractive to prehistoric settlers as to 18th century tenants. Most were probably when the small tenants were removed to make way for sheep in 1770-1790. The only sites clearly dating to the period of sheep farming are five sheep shelters, all of which are on the original Balnagown land. No such features have been noted on the Rosehall side of the Cassley, probably reflecting a lesser emphasis on sheep. Recommendations have been made for safeguarding these features within the scheme. <1> See the linked report for details of individual sites. <2>