EHG5788 - DBA and walkover survey - mains rehabilitation project, Skelpick, Bettyhill

An archaeological desk-based assessment and walkover survey was carried out by West Coast Archaeological Services in 2020 on behalf of Scottish Water Solutions in advance of replacement of water mains and associated works, near Skelpick, Bettyhill, Strathnaver, in Sutherland. The work was undertaken to assess the nature and extent of any archaeological sites likely to be affected within the areas outlined for the proposed development works and pipeline route and in order to inform recommendations for the protection and management of any sites recovered. The desk-based assessment revealed a significant number of archaeological sites and monuments within the surrounding landscape. The walkover survey recorded no archaeological sites in close proximity of the pipeline route, while the route of the pipeline had been chosen to minimise any impact to potential buried archaeological features or deposits; this being located for most of the route in the verge of the single-track road comprising made-up ground. No further mitigation measures were proposed in respect of the proposed works. <1>