EHG6007 - DBA and walkover survey - Edinbane Substation extension, Skye

A desk-based assessment and walkover field survey were carried out by CFA Archaeology in 2022 in advance of a proposed extension to the Edinbane Substation on Skye and to inform an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Four heritage assets were identified in the Inner Study area. These were associated with medieval or post-medieval settlement and agrarian activities. No prehistoric remains were identified within the Inner Study Area. An assessment of the identified heritage assets, and consideration of the current and past land use, within the Inner Study Area, suggested that there is a low to moderate likelihood of hitherto unidentified remains or medieval/post-medieval date being present in the site. Given the land take required by the proposed development, it was considered that the potential for further archaeological discoveries is low. It was assessed that there is potential for construction works within the Inner Study Area to result in direct effects on elements of two heritage assets, clearance cairns (2) and former township (4). In the absence of mitigation, the direct effects were assessed as being potentially of moderate significance (significant in EIA terms). Mitigation measures were set out that would avoid or reduce the predicted effects and residual construction effects of no more than minor significance (not significant in EIA terms) were identified. There would be effects of minor significance (not significant in EIA terms) on the setting of one Scheduled Monument (Dun Arkaig, Broch (SM 13662). The cumulative effect of the proposed development in combination with other cumulative developments in the vicinity was considered to be not significant. <1>