EHG6362 - Watching brief - new footbridge, Loth Burn, Helmsdale

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Highland Archaeology Services in 2025, commissioned by the Association of Northern Trails Scotland to satisfy a planning condition during the development of a new footbridge over Loth Burn, Helmsdale. Fieldwork was undertaken on 22nd January 2025 when excavations on the west and east banks of the burn were watched under archaeological supervision. Erosion had been noticed on the western bank by the client between two of their site visits. In addition the site was also likely to have been disturbed by the building of the adjacent railway bridge and the weir, meaning that buried archaeology was unlikely to have been left in situ. During the work no archaeological features or artefacts were uncovered therefore no further archaeological work was recommended. <1>