EHG6365 - DBA and walkover survey - proposed Hill of Lychrobbie (Hill of Buolglass) wind turbines, Latheronwheel

An archaeological desk-based assessment and walkover survey were undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group in 2024 regarding a proposed wind turbine development near Latheronwheel, Caithness. The walkover survey of the site was carried out on 7th May 2024 in dry and bright conditions with good visibility. The landscape consisted of open heather moorland, with numerous drainage ditches and scattered patches of gorse. The northern turbine location was crossed by an existing vehicle access track, while the southern turbine location was partly cut by an existing post and wire boundary fence. The eastern part of the survey area, in the location of the proposed access, consisted of pasture fields. A total of 10 previously unrecorded assets were identified within the redline boundary, all comprising the remains of post-medieval stone dykes and stone clearance piles. It was considered that the proposed development would result in direct impacts, ranging from Low to High Magnitude, on seven known heritage assets of post-medieval to modern date. These remains comprised stone boundary dykes, clearance cairns and former track ways and were considered to be of negligible importance. Given their negligible importance, preservation in-situ would not be warranted and it was considered that the recording via this assessment (including a photographic record and recording of their positions) would be sufficient to allow their preservation by record and as such no further mitigation with regard to their total or partial removal was deemed necessary. In addition to impacts upon known archaeological remains, the assessment identified Medium potential for prehistoric remains and further post-medieval and modern remains to survive on site, a Low potential for early medieval and medieval remains and a Negligible potential for Roman remains to survive on site. Given the green field nature of the site, much of which was unimproved; the condition of any surviving remains was considered likely to be good. On this basis, the local planning authority as advised by the Highland Council (THC) Historic Environment Team (HET) may require a programme of archaeological work be undertaken as a condition of any planning permission granted. Given the expected nature of the remains which may survive and the relatively limited footprint of the proposed development, it wasa considered likely that such a programme could comprise an archaeological watching brief during the construction of the proposed development, the exact scope of which would be agreed via a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) with THC HET. Should any significant archaeological remains be encountered then further excavation and post-excavation analysis, followed by publication, may be required. <1> The results of the DBA and walkover survey were used to inform an Environmental Impact Assessment. <2>