EHG4575 - DBA and Walkover Survey - proposed Caplich Wind Farm

A DBA and walkover survey were carried out AOC Archaeology Group in 2015 to inform the cultural heritage section of an environmental statement for the erection of 20 turbines with a 132m tip height at the proposed Caplich Wind Farm. A walkover survey of the proposed access track and turbine area was undertaken on the 14th and 15th of April 2014 in order to investigate the condition and significance of known archaeology on the site and with the aim of identifying any previously unknown remains. The main part of the Wind Farm development area, to the north-west of the access track, was marked by open hilly moorland, commonly with extensive views in particular from such heights as Beinn an Eoin Bheag (372 m AOD) and minor summits to the south-west of Beinn An Eoin. There are numerous bedrock outcrops and areas of peat hacks. Analysis of aerial photographs indicated that the area of the proposed Wind Farm has been largely covered by moorland from the mid-1940s onwards. The area proposed for turbines was devoid of human constructions, with the exception of the sheepfold near Allt a’ Choire Bhuidhe. Given the existence of prehistoric and later remains in the vicinity of the southern end of the access track, including the chapel and burial ground at Cladh a Chnocain, with its pre-medieval cross slab, it was considered possible that, in addition to the assets identified, as yet unknown buried archaeological remains may survive within the development site, in particular in proximity to the southern end of the access route. <1>