EHG6303 - Trial trenching - proposed battery storage project, Balnacraig

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Highland Archaeology Services in 2024 in advance of the proposed construction of a battery storage facility to the west of Alness Substation, north of Alness. The desk-based assessment was used to assess the archaeological and historical character of the area and to inform the interpretation of feature that may be encountered during the evaluation. The evaluation took place between the 15th and 17th July 2024. Two charcoal-rich pits were uncovered and five clay field drains were also recorded, but no artefacts were recovered from the site. Recommendations were made for post-excavation work including botanical analysis of material from the charcoal-rich pits. If suitable material is identified it was also recommended that radiocarbon dates be obtained. In addition, as the two archaeological features uncovered demonstrated that there was further potential for other archaeological features to remain, a watching brief during groundbreaking works was recommended in the northeast part of the site. <1>