EHG696 - Walkover survey - new water treatment site, Loch Ashie

A walkover survey was carried out by Wordsworth Archaeological Services in 1999 in two areas in advance of the construction of a proposed water treatment works. Area 1 lay to the north of Loch Ashie and Area 2 lay to the east of Carn Glas and west of the Essich to Bunachton Road. Area 1 was found to have fewer features of archaeological importance than Area 2. The area of archaeological interest centred at NH 637 363 was considerd to be of local interest and potentially of regional significance, though the ground cover prevented the full extent and nature of the site from being clearly identified. The sites at NH 6351 3604 and NH 6355 3614 were considered to be of only local interest and their poor preservation meant that special protection should not be offered to these features. Area 2 contained more features of archaeological interest, though the most significant features lay to the west of the survey area and were considered unlikely to be affected by any proposed development. These features were thought to be of regional and possibly of national interest, particularly in view of their proximity to the major archaeological site at Carn Glas. The substantial longhouse at NH 6539 3797 was also of archaeological interest, particularly in view of its substantial size. In conclusion it was considered that Area 1 was to be preferred for the site of the new works in terms of the likely impacts on cultural heritage. <1>