EHG5919 - DBA and walkover survey - RCI West Line DMA (Oust WSZ) Water Main Rehabilitation, Thurso

An archaeological desk-based assessment and walkover survey was carried out by West Coast Archaeological Services in 2022 in advance of a water main rehab scheme located to the west of Thurso and centred on Newlands of Geise, Caithness. 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 water main rehab project, especially where an open cut trench will be excavated for the new pipeline, and in order to inform recommendations for the protection and management of any sites recovered. The desk-based assessment and investigation of aerial imagery covering the areas, identified a number of archaeological sites in close proximity to the proposed works, while the walkover survey confirmed the presence of these sites and identified new sites. The recovered sites mainly included stone and flag dykes, farmsteads, a quarry, and a grass-covered mound. The archaeological features date to the post-medieval period and relate to farming settlements and industrial activities focuses on the quarrying of Caithness Flagstone. Mitigation measures were proposed to safeguard the sites during the development works. <1>