EHG5707 - Watching brief - new solar array, Skelpick, Bettyhill

An archaeological watching brief was carried out by AOC Archaeology Group in 2022 at Rhinivie, Skelpick, Bettyhill in advance of a proposed small scale, private solar power development. The requirement arose as the site lies in close proximity to two significant Scheduled Monuments. A condition attached to a consented planning application requested that a watching brief be undertaken on site clearance and all ground breaking works. The excavation for the main solar array platform comprised an array circa 15 m by 6 m excavated to a depth of 0.25 – 0.35 m. At this depth the full depth of topsoil was not revealed. Northwest of the solar array platform, a cable trench was excavated toward the bothy and revealed the natural underneath as loose, dark brownish red sand. No archaeological features and/or deposits were identified. No further work was recommended. <1>