EHG5984 - DBA and walkover survey - Skye-Fort Augustus OHL Reinforcement

Desk-based assessment and walkover surveys were undertaken by CFA Archaeology in 2020-2022 in order to inform proposals for a planned OHL reinforcement scheme by SSEN between Ardmore Point, Skye and Fort Augustus. The assessment was designed to identify and evaluate any cultural heritage interests present within an Inner Study Area covering the Site of the Proposed Development and associated access tracks, through the examination of desk-based resources and walk-over field survey. It was also designed to identify and evaluate heritage assets within an Outer Study Area extending up to 2.5 km around the Proposed Development. For the purposes of this EIA Report, these assets comprised scheduled monuments, listed buildings and a conservation area, in respect of which their settings could be affected. As agreed through the scoping and the consultation process, Section 0, and Section 3 to Section 6 of the Proposed Development were subject to a targeted walk-over survey to confirm the nature and extent of known heritage assets identified during the desktop study and to identify and record any previously unknown cultural heritage sites that could be directly affected by the Proposed Development. Areas to be targeted were agreed during scoping and subsequent consultation with The Highland Council Historic Environment Team. This survey was undertaken by two teams of three experienced archaeological surveyors over three weeks in October 2020, and February and March 2022. The entire Inner Study Area within Sections 1 and 2 was subject to a walk-over survey to identify and record any cultural heritage sites not located by the desk-based study that could be directly affected by the Proposed Development. This survey was undertaken by two teams of three experienced archaeological surveyors over a week in mid-February 2022. Designated heritage assets in the Outer Study Area were also visited to determine the potential for impacts on cultural significance arising from the presence of the Proposed Development. A total of 208 heritage assets were identified within the Inner Study Area; 76 are recorded on the Historic Environment record (HER) and 132 were identified during the desktop study and/or subsequent field surveys. None of them are statutorily designated. The Proposed Development was designed to avoid upstanding heritage assets wherever possible. However, potential direct effects of moderate significance have been predicted for one asset of local importance (low sensitivity). Potential direct effects of minor significance have been predicted for 14 assets of regional importance (medium sensitivity) and 41 assets of local importance (low sensitivity). Potential direct effects of negligible significance have been predicted for three assets of regional importance (medium sensitivity), 89 assets of local importance (low sensitivity), and 16 assets of lesser importance (negligible sensitivity). Mitigation measures are proposed to ensure the protection of surviving remains that lie in close proximity to Proposed Development groundworks. Following the application of mitigation measures, the significance of all residual direct effects would be reduced to negligible. <1>