EHG6159 - Trial trenching - proposed bothies, Castletown

Following a rapid walkover survey (see EHG6158) a targeted trial trenching evaluation was undertaken by Highland Archaeology Services in 2023 in advance of the development of four ‘bothies’, an office/store and a car parking area near Castletown, Caithness. Six evaluation trenches were placed covering the soakaways for the maintenance building, soakaways for each of the bothies and across the proposed carpark. One feature (feature 1) was uncovered during fieldwork, this was a stone lined pit which may have once contained human remains. No artefacts or visible remains were found in association with this feature. Recommendations were made for post excavation work including flotation and botanical analysis of material from feature 1. If suitable material is identified, it was recommended that AMS dates from the feature are obtained. Also, if bone fragments are identified then these should be analysed by a suitable specialist. <1>