EHG6100 - Watching brief - proposed wind turbine, Hill of Lybster

Technique(s)

Organisation

David Lynn

Date

July 2023

Description

A watching brief was undertaken by D Lynn in 2023 at Hill of Lybster near Thurso in advance of proposals for the erection of a single wind turbine along with associated crane hardstanding, site access road and electricity control building. Despite a significant scatter of archaeological sites and monuments in the surrounding landscape spanning several millennia, the footprint showed absolutely no sign of any past activity beyond the passive context of its containment within a probably early-19th Century field. Solid sandstone bedrock was observed immediately below the shallow depth of topsoil - while strong indications were found that the scanty topsoil had been improved for better field capabilities, both it and the exposed bedrock surfaces were absolutely consistent in character across the entire stripped area without anomalous inclusions or intrusions. The earlier walkover survey (see EHG6099) had identified the probable presence of an underground water source in the area of the access track due to evidence of persistent ground waterlogging, but with no visible indication of the source. Its excavation revealed a stone-built circular well which was covered over when the track was laid. Retrospective indications suggest this was a 19th or early 20th Century insertion with no grounds for archaeological concern. <1>

Sources/Archives (1)

Map

Location

Location Hill of Lybster
Grid reference Centred ND 0254 6915 (196m by 502m) (2 map features)
Map sheet ND06NW
Operational Area CAITHNESS SUTHERLAND AND EASTER ROSS
Civil Parish REAY
Geographical Area CAITHNESS

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

External Links (0)

Record last edited

Oct 20 2023 2:48PM

Comments and Feedback

Do you have any more information about this record? Please feel free to comment with information and photographs, or ask any questions, using the "Disqus" tool below. Comments are moderated, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible.