EHG5684 - DBA and walkover survey - proposed Nigg East Quay development

A desk-based assessment and site walkover survey were undertaken by Headland Archaeology in 2019 in advance of proposed re-development at Nigg East Quay and to inform an Environmental Impact Assessment. The DBA appraised two study areas, The Inner Study Area (ISA), which corresponded to the Site boundary, and; The Outer Study Area (OSA), which extended 2km from the Site boundary. Within this area background data was collated to inform the archaeological potential of the Site, identify any heritage assets which may be affected as they continue into the site, and to identify assets which may be subject to setting effects. Significant direct impacts are predicted upon the upstanding remains of Dunskeath House and the structures associated with it. In the absence of mitigation, this would constitute the total removal and loss of two heritage assets of Low importance. The ISA is considered to be of low archaeological potential, meaning that the risk of direct impacts upon previously unknown archaeological features or deposits is possible, but unlikely. However, mitigation (in the form of historic building recording and monitoring of construction groundworks) would ensure that adverse impacts upon the buildings on the site, and potential impacts upon unknown archaeological deposits, are minimised. No significant setting impacts were predicted upon any designated or undesignated heritage assets in the OSA. <1>