EHG6233 - DBA and Walkover survey - underground cabling, Auchterawe-Loch Oich

A desk-based assessment (DBA) and walkover survey were undertaken by Highland Archaeology Services in 2024 in advance of the development of a buried electricity cable between Auchterawe Sub Station and the group of houses at the south end of Loch Oich, a little north of Laggan Swing bridge on the A82. The DBA catalogued and assessed historical and archaeological features that were already recorded surrounding the proposed development route. Forty-six features were identified within half a kilometre of the route. These varied from scheduled hillforts dating to the Iron Age through to a 19th century post office building. Most were a good distance from the route with only two features very close to the route. The DBA also noted sixteen pieces of previous archaeological work in the vicinity of the route most of which were walkover surveys covering parts of the route particularly at the north end. These results were used in order to inform the walkover survey which focused on the south end of the route. The area surveyed was limited to the south of the route from A87 either side of the River Garry where the potential was felt to be highest. The route was also checked in the far southern end as this had not been previously checked. The survey identified nine features with most being modern or a good distance from the proposed route. The only recommendations were that the 3m gap in dry stone wall W9 is used during the works rather than a new breach being made. <1>