Dornoch

NH 792 903 to NH 798 900 An archaeological watching brief and desk-based assessment were conducted in March 2007 to establish the nature and extent of any archaeology likely to be affected by the underground laying of a high voltage electrical cable near Dornoch, Sutherland. Although no recorded sites lay directly in the path of the new cable trench, both field archaeology and documentary records indicate a long history of

settlement in the south-eastern part of Sutherland. The deskbased assessment which preceded the watching brief highlighted the discovery of a Neolithic polished stone axe (Highland SMR NH79SE0045) and microlith (Highland SMR NH79SE0063) in the fields adjoining the watching brief area. In 1938 during deep ploughing a local farmer uncovered the remains of two stone cists and evidence of the remains of a burial cairn (Highland SMR NH79SE0013) in the field E of the new cable trench (NH 798 902). The power cable trench was cut at a width of 2m, using a mechanical excavator fitted with a straight-edged 2m wide ditching bucket. 10 features were identified; 4 field drains, 1 posthole, 4 pits and a feature of no archaeological significance. A possible rudimentary sandstone quern stone was also discovered. The limitations of the trench width made it impossible to reveal the true archaeological potential of the area.

Archive deposited with RCAHMS.

Funder: Scottish and Southern Energy PLC.