EHG4321 - Walkover survey - Dalchork Woodland Development Project

A DBA and walkover were carried out by L Prentice In August 2013 in advance of a proposed forestry development project aiming to re-establish a plantation of native woodland species in the Dalchork area, north of Lairg, Sutherland. This aimed to establish the scale, scope and extent of the upstanding archaeology within the proposed development area and to assess the impact of the development upon the visible archaeological remains. Several previously known sites, including a broch, several hut circles and an enclosure complex were identified and surveyed within the direct vicinity of the area for development and an assessment of the potential risk to these sites is provided. In addition the survey identified several previously unknown sites, mainly confined to field boundaries, drystone dykes, clearance cairns, probable borrow pits and stone dumps. A previously unknown hut circle and a possible farmstead were also identified and surveyed. Although these sites lay in the vicinity of the development it is considered that appropriate establishment of exclusion zones, avoidance strategies, consideration of mitigation measures and conscientious land management would allow minimal disturbance to and preservation of the archaeological remains in situ. It was considered that direct impact upon the archaeology requiring mitigation need not be necessitated although some monitoring close to sensitive archaeological remains may be desirable. <1>