EHG4125 - Metal detector survey - Pitgrudy Farmhouse, Dornoch

A metal detector survey was carried out by Highland Archaeology Services in 2013 near Pitgrudy Farmhouse, Dornoch, in advance of the proposed development of a sand and gravel quarry. The area was pegged out and surveyed using a metal detector, operating in north-south transects at 10m intervals. The locations of any responses were marked by means of flags and the positions carefully recorded using a combination of survey grade GNSS equipment, tapes and measuring wheel. Test pits were then opened by hand to examine the source of the signal, but no excavation took place beyond the topsoil level. Altogether, the metal detecting survey located 55 items (Table 1), but none of these appeared to be of archaeological significance, and no further action was proposed for them. It was understood that there has been a considerable amount of metal-detecting previously carried out across the area over many years. <1>