EHG5713 - DBA and walkover survey - proposed Wind turbine (Tacher A)

A Heritage Impact Assessment was undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group in 2019 for a proposed development at Tacher, Latheron, Caithness. The proposed development consists of the construction of one 130m turbine, to the north of the farm known as Tacher on the western side of the A9, Latheron. A walkover survey of the site was undertaken on the 26th August 2019 in bright, sunny conditions. The site was accessed from Tacher farm, in the centre of the site and from the A9. The assessment identified no heritage assets, designated or non-designated, within the proposed turbine location nor within the area of proposed infrastructure. Having established the historic environment baseline for the area, it was judged there was a medium potential for prehistoric remains to survive on the site due to its location between two Scheduled Standing Stones and the presence of two potential hut circles within 1km of the site. It was judged there was a low potential for early historic and medieval archaeology to survive, due to the paucity of remains from those dates recorded within the 1km study area. Historic mapping indicated that the site lay in an agricultural landscape in the post-medieval period, occupied by dispersed settlements, though it is unknown if the site was intensively used in the period. It was recommended that a watching brief be carried out during groundworks for the new turbine and associated infrastructure. <1>