EHG5549 - DBA and walkover survey - Balnacoil mast

An archaeological walk-over survey and desk based assessment were undertaken by Highland Archaeology Services in 2017 to fulfil a planning condition on the erection of a telecommunication mast and associated access track on Balnacoil Hill, near Brora, Sutherland. The survey route ran from the end of a tarmac drive leading into the Balnacoil Lodge area, along existing tracks northward onto the moorland of Balnacoil Hill to a quarry, then south-eastward across the moorland to the proposed site of the mast. The proposed works will use an existing track which runs up the western side of the hill, through woodland; from a point to the north of the wood a new track is to be made running east for approximately 1000m through moorland to the mast location; a compound is to be made around the mast. For the majority of its route the proposed access track did not lie near any significant features. However, where it approached the cairnfield forming part of DBA10 it is probable that it crosses the location of several cairns. Although individually of low cultural heritage value these cairns form part of a relatively undisturbed former landscape, and thus have a higher value collectively. Micro-siting of the track was recommended. <1>