EHG5688 - DBA and walkover survey - proposed Space Hub, Sutherland

A desk-based assessment and walkover survey were carried out by CFA Archaeology in 2019 in advance of proposals for a space hub at A' Mhoine, Sutherland. The work undertaken was to support the creation of an Environmental Impact Assessment. The aims of the field survey were to locate and record the character and current condition all visible cultural heritage sites, monuments and landscape features which could be impacted by the proposed development. This included both sites and features identified during the desk-based assessment and any previously unrecognised and encountered during the survey of the Inner Study Area; and identify areas with the potential to contain currently unrecorded buried archaeological remains, taking into account factors such as topography, geomorphology and current ground conditions. Field visits were also undertaken to heritage assets in the Outer Study Area on 28 August 2019 in order to assess their baseline settings. The baseline setting of each relevant receptor or related group of receptors has been characterised on a case-by-case basis, based upon its properties and location, and takes into account the factors set out in guidance issued by HES. Considering the current land use, historical evidence and the low number of known and poorly preserved archaeological features within the site and elsewhere within the Inner Study Area, it was considered that the potential of further archaeological discoveries being made within the site was low or negligible. <1>