EHG5450 - Trial trenching - Lonnie, Castle Stuart

A selective programme of archaeological evaluation trenching and reporting was undertaken by Highland Archaeology Services in 2018 in advance of the development of a new 18-hole Tribute Course at Castle Stuart. The trenching was designed to inform the final design of the course by determining the presence or absence of significant buried archaeology at three key locations in the development area where geophysical and aerial photographic evidence indicated that significant buried remains could be preserved. Five trenches were opened in accordance with a methods statement approved by Highland Council. One trench was archaeologically sterile whilst the remaining four revealed minor archaeological deposits and features, the majority of which were considered to represent highly truncated archaeology of probable prehistoric origin. Variations in the natural substrate were suggested to account for the geophysical anomalies identified in two of the three target areas. The archaeology identified in the trenches was judged to have limited future archaeological research potential and was not considered to be of sufficient importance to justify preservation in situ at the expense of future development. In view of this it was recommended that the future reduction of ground levels in each of the target areas, if required, should proceed with provision for appropriate archaeological mitigation. <1>