EHG6310 - Watching brief - proposed Dounreay 33kV 7L5 and 8L5 Rebuild, Caithness

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group in 2023-4 in advance of a the proposed Dounreay 33kV 7L5 and 8L5 Rebuild project. This consisted of the dismantling of existing overhead power lines (OHL) and the installation of new overhead lines and select underground cables on two 33kV circuits between Lybster (Dounreay) and Melvich, Caithness. An initial walkover survey was carried out in September 2021 (see EHG6309) in order to inform mitigation recommendations. An archaeologist monitored targeted locations where invasive groundworks undertaken by a mechanical excavator took place between July 2023 and May 2024. Although the development works were situated within a landscape rich in prehistoric activities, including cairns, standing stones, and hut circles no new archaeological features or deposits were identified during ground-breaking works. Only evidence of modern field management systems were identified within the watching brief areas, comprising a stone culvert within the green circuit along with various rubble and ceramic drains across the development area. As such, no further archaeological mitigation was recommended. <1>