EHG6161 - DBA and site visit - proposed housing development, Rockfield, Skye

A desk-based assessment (DBA) and site visit were undertaken by Highland Archaeology Services in 2023 ahead of a proposed planning application for a housing site at Rockfield, Portree on the Isle of Skye. In total 16 features were identified within the 1km of the site including two within the development area. In addition a dry stone wall was identified during the site visit forming the northwest site boundary on the west side of the A855. The other two features were a mill laid and pond on the east side of the road and a cluster of three small structures noted close to the south west corner of the site. These two features were noted from the 1st edition OS map and were no longer depicted on modern mapping and they had not been previously noted on the Highland Historic Environment Record. A little to the west of the site excavations in the early 2000’s had revealed important prehistoric remains at Holm Farm. Due to these findings recommendations were made to undertake a 7% trial trenching on the site to the west side of the A855 and targeted trial trenching on the site on the east side. This would help identify any buried remains. <1>