EHG6077 - Geophysical surveys - Hilton of Cadboll

Geophysical surveys were undertaken by Rose Geophysical Consultants in 2022 (commissioned by CFA Archaeology), on behalf of Historic Environment Scotland at Hilton of Cadboll. Gradiometry and Resistance survey were undertaken over available areas within the Properties in Care (PIC) boundary and an area immediately to the northeast of the PIC boundary, with GPR being carried out over targeted areas. The resistance data suggested that the earthwork surrounding the Chapel may have different phases. The GPR survey confirmed that there appeared to be numerous phases or additional enclosures within this area. The GPR data defined responses associated with the enclosure banks in the northeast of the chapel and the Chapel itself. Several additional anomalies, which are suggestive of additional walls or enclosure banks, were detected which do not correspond with clearly defined earthworks. The survey results from the area to the southwest of the Chapel were confused in all data sets. While the responses appeared to be generally elevated in both the resistance and the GPR data, this was mainly in contrast to the very low readings surrounding the area due to the naturally lower lying boggy areas. However, within the GPR survey a possible boundary wall or bank was tentatively identified. In the northeast of the area a well-defined low resistance response was detected which coincideed with a gradiometer anomaly. This was in keeping with a pit-type feature or a midden deposit. Possibly associated high resistance anomalies, corresponding with negative magnetic responses, were also noted which would be consistent with potential structural remains. Considering the resistance and the gradiometer results together, the group of anomalies could be consistent with structure(s) or settlement. While a natural origin could still not be excluded, the detection of a possible track might point to an anthropogenic origin for these anomalies, although of unknown age. However, it was considered that rabbit activity may be confusing the data. In the southeast of the area the resistance and GPR data were dominated by sinuous linear anomalies which corresponded with informal tracks into the field which were visible on the surface. <1>