EHG6366 - DBA and walkover survey - proposed railway sidings, Morayhill

A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), comprising a desk-based assessment and walkover survey was undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group in 2024 regarding proposed rail sidings at Morayhill. The proposed development would include the construction of two railway sidings, three lanes for the storage of containers, a 24m high gantry crane with space for a related runway, vehicle site access and parking areas, attenuation ponds, and related landscaping works. The assessment identified three heritage assets within the Site (Assets 57, 58, and 61). The former site of a well near to Balnallan (Asset 57) recorded on 1st edition Ordnance Survey mapping (Figure 7) is now occupied by an attenuation pond, and as such has No archaeological importance. Furthermore, the line of the Highland Railway (Asset 58) is now occupied by the modern railway and is therefore considered to be of no importance to be of a Negligible importance. No trace of the small post-medieval building recorded at Dalcross (Asset 61) on 19th century Ordnance Survey mapping could be found during the walkover survey and given that it was most probably a 19th century agricultural building or cottage it was considered likely that any buried remains that may survive will be of Low importance. It was considered that much of the ground within the site was likely to have been disturbed by agricultural activity and forestry planting, and as such the potential for hitherto unknown archaeological remains to survive in these areas was lessened. A small area of apparently fallow ground however was identified to the south-west of the site, immediately to the northeast of the West Fraser mill. A Medium potential for Prehistoric, early Medieval, and Medieval remains was identified in this area, with a Low potential for remains from those periods throughout the rest of the site. A Medium potential for remains dating to the post-medieval throughout the site was identified, whilst there was judged to only be a Low potential for modern evidence. In accordance with national and local planning policies on heritage responsibility for determining any archaeological mitigation requirements rests with the local planning authority, The Highland Council, who may require a programme of archaeological works prior to the commencement of development. The exact scope of this work would require to be agreed with the Historic Environment Team (HET) at THC, via a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI). <1>