EHG6170 - Watching brief - Visitor Centre extensions, Eilean Donan Castle

An archaeological watching brief was carried out by FAS Heritage in 2023 during construction of two extensions to the Visitor Centre, Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie, Ross-shire. The watching brief was undertaken in accordance with a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) approved by the Highland Council Historic Environment Team (HCHET). The watching brief was required towards the discharge of a planning condition to protect the archaeological and historic interest of the site). Two areas were the subject of groundworks at the outset of the development; one to the rear of the main Visitor Centre to provide staffroom and storage space, the other to the south of the Visitor Centre to provide further shop and kitchen storage space. Area groundworks for the excavation of both extensions footprints and foundations were supervised by an archaeologist. Bedrock was encountered across both of the areas excavated beneath levelling deposits containing late C20th detritus likely from the construction of the Visitor Centre in the late 1990s. This build up from landscaping indicates that the area was stripped and in some areas bedrock levelled during construction. The landscaping deposit was covered with a shallow topsoil or tarmac. No archaeological material was recovered during monitoring and the modern finds were noted but not retained. No further work was required. <1>