EHG5259 - Field Survey - Allt A' Bhurg Brock, Ousdale

Addison Conservation + Design was asked by the Caithness Brochs Project to assess the condition of the ruins of the Iron Age broch at Ousdale. The structure is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The purpose of our inspection and this report was to assess the condition of the ruin, identify the scope of work required for its conservation and public access, and assess the potential costs involved in the project for fundraising purposes. Due to the ancient type of construction, an assessment of stability, safety and conservation need can be done “by eye” only. Our long experience of masonry ruins assists our judgement. On this basis we have been able to prepare a scheme of conservation for fundraising and approval purposes, but during the site stage, further surveys and investigation have to run in parallel to verify all the assumptions made at the report/design stage and to allow us to review action on site.