Watching Brief

Date September 2019 - March 2020

Event ID 1126255

Category Recording

Type Watching Brief

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1126255

ND 0713 1881 Between September 2019 and March 2020 archaeological surveys and watching briefs were undertaken at Ousdale Broch, on behalf of the Caithness Broch Project, as part of a project to consolidate and improve access to the Scheduled broch (SM515: Allt a’ Bhurg, Broch, Ord of Caithness). Relatively recent collapse of a stone buttress, built in the late 19th century to stabilise a portion of the internal wall, led to large amounts of rubble existing in the broch interior and an increased risk that the structure could further deteriorate at a rapid rate. The archaeological works included a pre- and post-conservation survey of the broch and watching briefs during removal of collapsed material from the broch interior, consolidation of the wallhead and removal of a mature rowan tree which grew out of the interior elevation. No significant buried archaeological remains were disturbed during the work.

Archive: NRHE (intended)

Funder: Caithness Broch Project

David Sneddon – Clyde Archaeology

(Source: DES Vol 21)