EHG6379 - Watching brief - new electric cable, Callakille, Applecross-Corrie Mhor fish farm

A series of archaeological watching briefs were undertaken by Highland Archaeology Services in 2024-25 during the installation of a new electric cable between the hydroelectric power station at Callakille, Applecross and Corrie Mhor Fish Farm, a route of approximately 25.5km. A desk based assessment and walkover survey had been undertaken in autumn 2022 (see EHG5947) and recorded 51 features close to the proposed route on the ground. The report of this survey also made recommendations for mitigation measures to be taken to minimize the impact of the development on the heritage assets identified. The main mitigation was though design to avoid damage to all features though adjustments to the route. However where the route passed close to features marking off was undertaken and in four areas watching briefs were also conducted. Some adjustments were made to the route between the walkover survey and watching briefs, and these new areas were checked before ground breaking took place. In one such area at Russel Township on the 12th of July 2024 a previously un-recorded cup marked stone was discovered, along with the footings of a long house. The watching briefs were undertaken during separate visits. Salacher 14th-16th of August 2024, Sand bay 2nd-3rd September 2024, Applecross Monastic Settlement 16th-19th December 2024 and Russel Township 24th-25th February 2025. During all the watching briefs care was taken to steer the route around visible features and the only features cut during the work were two dry stone walls at Salacher. Finds were all from the topsoil and consisted of five small sherds of modern ceramic and some possibly heat affected slate. No further work was recommended. <1>