Pentland Firth East Replacement Cable – Rackwick Bay

ND 19976 98934, ND 2027 9990–HY 2291 0034 and ND 2091 9849–HY 2287 0024 A series of watching briefs and walkover survey was undertaken at Rackwick Bay, Hoy, Orkney in relation to the replacement of a subsea cable between Rackwick Bay and Murkle Bay, Caithness; instillation of a temporary track; cable undergrounding; and preparation of a site compound. The work was carried out between 13 July and 29 October 2020. During the archaeological monitoring of intrusive works related to installation of a subcontractors compound, the cable route and a joint transition pit, two relatively modern agricultural ditches were uncovered that were not considered archaeologically significant. Archaeological monitoring of temporary track installation, cable undergrounding and preparation of a site compound revealed four wide ditches likely relating to drainage or cultivation of relatively modern date, a post-medieval boundary/drainage ditch and a small area of stone cobbling, likely relating to Second World War remains at the southern end of the cable route. A walkover survey of the eastern and western overhead lines to be removed, possible access routes and a pole dump compound revealed a small number of post-medieval settlement remains relating to the township of Rackwick, including a Listed Category A Building, recorded close to the possible access routes. All of these sites were avoided during the works.

Archive: NRHE (intended)

Funder: Scottish Southern Electricity Networks

Steven Black – Clyde Archaeology

(Source: DES Vol 22)