EHG5339 - Trial Trenching - Land South of No 1 Beaufort Farm Cottages, Kiltarlity

A trial trenching evaluation was undertaken by Highland Archaeology Services in 2018 to the south of Beaufort Farm Cottages, Kiltarlity to establish the heritage impact of proposed development for a new holiday cottage. One y-shaped trench was opened on the site and targeted the footprint of the new house and associated septic tank and soakaway. The trench was sited to avoid an existing foul pipe and septic tank located on the property and extensive designated tree preservation zones, severely restricting its placement. A small number of dispersed archaeological features and deposits were preserved within the trench, including the remains of a possible kiln or corndryer, suggesting low intensity archaeological activity of possible medieval or post-medieval date within the site and its environs. Based on the results of the evaluation project it was concluded that there was no archaeological reason why development should not proceed, although the potential for the survival of further archaeological features and deposits within the development area was recognised. In view of this, it was recommended that groundworks for the development are monitored by means of a watching brief in order to ensure that all unforeseen archaeological deposits and features revealed by that work are identified and recorded as part of the development programme. <1>