EHG5261 - Trial Trenching - Land 70m South of Lower Achavar, Occumster

Three archaeological evaluation trenches were opened on the site to establish the heritage impact of proposed development for a new house, store and access road. The evaluation was required by Highland Council because the development site lies directly adjacent to a Scheduled Ancient Monument, Achavar Broch, and in an area where a series of prehistoric cist burials were discovered in the mid - 19th century. The trenches were opened in accordance with a Written Scheme of Investigation approved by Highland Council and targeted the footprint of the new house and the proposed access road. All three evaluation trenches were archaeologically sterile and no evidence was identified for any extensive buried archaeological deposits or significant finds within the development area. The possibility that isolated prehistoric cist burials are preserved within the development area cannot, however, be ruled out entirely. Accordingly, it is recommended that areas to be stripped of topsoil as part of future preliminary ground works are monitored by means of a watching brief. <1>