EHG6446 - Walkover survey - proposed Beauly-Denny OHL diversion, Fanellan

A walkover survey was undertaken by WSP cultural heritage and archaeology team in 2024 of the site of a proposed diversion of the Beauly-Denny OHL at Fanellan, near Beauly in order to inform an Environmental Appraisal. Part of the site was in use for livestock with other areas overgrown with heather and gorse at the edge of the woodland. The nature and extent of the cultural heritage resource was examined to determine the potential direct impacts of the proposed development on heritage assets within an Inner Study Area and a wider Outer Study Area The Inner Study Area equated to a 250 m radius extending from the edge of the Limit of Deviation related to the permanent works, for the identification of non-designated heritage assets that may be physically impacted by the proposed development during construction and access. The Inner study area allowed for consideration of the temporary accesses and towers that form part of the works The Outer Study Area equated to a 1 km area extending from the edge of the site. This Outer Study Area was used for the identification of designated heritage assets whose setting is significant enough to be affected by the proposed development. The extent of the Outer Study Area and the heritage assets chosen were defined using professional judgement, following initial assessments at site selection. The location of Ruttle Wood Cairn (DBA A6) was surveyed but was not identified as upstanding remains, possibly due to the heather and gorse at the time of the survey It was considered that the proposed development had a high potential to contain archaeological remains from the prehistoric period and post-medieval periods. This was due to the presence of heritage assets dating from these periods within the site. <1>