EHG6247 - Walkover survey - proposed new forestry, Creich, Sutherland

A desk based assessment and walkover survey were undertaken by C Dagg in 2020 in an area of proposed enclosure and new woodland planting north of Kirkton on the Sutherland Estate, Sutherland. The aim of the work was to provide a detailed archaeological and historical background and a gazetteer of visible archaeological features and areas of potential archaeological interest. There were traces of prehistoric activity in the form of field clearance piles, sites 1 and 2, at two locations on the south side of the ridge, but no domestic settlement. This would indicate that the economic use of the hill was limited and settlement was restricted to more favourable land such as the individual hut circle west of Swordale and more importantly, centred on the defensive fort of Dun Creich approximately 1km to the south. After the Iron Age, the area seemed to have had little economic activity until the major enclosures around 1844, site 6, with associated tree nurseries and accommodation for foresters, sites 3, 5, 8 and 11. One trackway, site 9, may be a coffin road in use at a much earlier date before providing access to planting areas, while the trackway, site 10, is probably contemporary with planting. Apart from the area replanted in the 1950s there is little evidence for any activity on the hill after the intense period of enclosing and planting in the mid-19th century. Although not part of the built archaeological environment, the mature deciduous trees at sites 8 and 11 are of considerable historical interest. Recommendations were made to ensure that the the recorded sites were excluded from planting areas. <1>