EHG6242 - Watching brief - new house site and access, Staxigo

An archaeological watching brief was carried out by West Coast Archaeological Services in 2023-24 on land NE of Norbrae, Staxigo, near Wick, in advance of the construction of a proposed new house, access track and associated infrastructure. The work was undertaken to assess the nature and extent of any archaeological sites or features likely to be affected within the areas outlined for proposed development and to inform recommendations for their protection and management where necessary. The condition for field evaluation and watching brief was requested by Highland Council’s Planning Department and Historic Environment Team, as archaeological features were present within the development area, including the potential remains (foundations) of two buildings associated with the old settlement of Staxigo, demolished in the 1940’s. The archaeological field evaluation, covering one of the two buildings within the development area was carried out between the 9th of November 2023 and the 30th of May 2024 (see EHG6241), while the watching brief for the access road and service trench was carried out between the 9th and 20th of November 2023. The watching brief covering the access road and service trench revealed fragmentary boundary walls relating the demolished houses at Staxigo, and the foundations of a demolished building and its Caithness flag floors. Excavation of the features and overlying deposits produced later historic period artefacts including ceramics and glass, fragments of clay pantile and roofing slate, coal, and some iron fittings including nails and bolts. The recovered ceramics and glass generally date to the early to mid-20th century, although some ceramic sherds relate to earlier phases of activity, potentially during the 19th century. The archaeological watching brief monitoring the ground stripping of the house site, parking area, and services, was carried out on the 11th and 12th of June 2024. This revealed the footprints of three structures, boundary/field walls, and a range of additional features. <1>