EHG5640 - Trial trenching - proposed Dalchork substation, Lairg

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by AOC Archaeology in 2020 of an area of prehistoric settlement, at Dalchork Forest, Lairg, Sutherland (NC 5820 0947). The work was required ahead of development of a new electricity substation covering and area of approximately 46,576m² within an overall development area of 56,5719m². The development will also involve associated public road improvements works, and access development. During the evaluation, trenches were excavated over 5 roundhouses, 4 clearance cairns and a possible structure. Evaluation indicated that the preservation was variable across the site, which had been affected by woodland planting and felling operations in the past. The 5 roundhouses showed evidence for either stone or stone and turf construction. Most sites demonstrated collapsed and spread walls with rough facing stones. While truncation was evident on most sites, the evaluation identified areas where internal features such as postholes and gullies survived. Four cairns that were evaluated showed areas of rapid deposition of stone with periods of soil formation in places indicating periods between deposition in some of the cairns. A full archaeological excavation of the roundhouses and monitoring of site clearance in areas of archaeological potential is required ahead of development. <1>