Series: West Coast Archaeological Services unpublished report series

An archaeological desk-based assessment and walkover survey was carried out between 8 and 12 February 2012 Amer, Glen Bracadale, Skye, in advance of a woodland creation scheme. The work was undertaken to assess the nature and extent of any archaeology likely to be affected within the areas outlined for planting and regeneration and in order to inform recommendations for the protection and management of any sites recovered. The survey identified 84 new archaeological sites including prehistoric hut circles and boulder walls, and later settlement remains including townships, farmsteads, pens, shielings and a complex of turf and stone dykes. Twenty-nine areas of relict rig and furrow cultivation have also been recorded, which complements the settlement remains. Mitigation measures are proposed to safeguard the sites during the establishment of the woodland scheme.

An archaeological evaluation including a watching brief and excavation was carried out at the site of the new Broadford Medical Centre at High Road, Broadford, Isle of Skye. The evaluation recovered a wide range of features including a possible cairn, a stone-lined grave/cist, grain storage pits, a grain-drying kiln and a souterrain. Additional prehistoric features included pits and post-holes and potential evidence for early forest clearance, while stone-filled field drains and a drystone wall bordering High Road relate to later agricultural improvements and the formal layout of the road leading to the MacKinnon Memorial Hospital. The excavation of the prehistoric features at the site produced organic residues, sediment samples and small finds including ceramics and stone tools that will require specialist analysis. The post-excavation analysis of these materials is on-going and results will be included in a final publication.

An archaeological desk-based assessment and walkover survey was carried out on 16 June 2011 on behalf of Miller Harris and Arnamurchan Estates, in Glen Drian on the north tip of the Ardnamurchan peninsula in advance of a bracken control programme. The work was undertaken to assess the nature and extent of the archaeology to inform the proposals for a programme of bracken control. The survey recorded the character and extent of archaeological sites designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument in addition to previously unrecorded sites of archaeological interest including shielings, enclosures and boundary walls. The Post Medieval settlement remains in the survey area, presently ruinous and mostly well-preserved, are extensive and represent multiple phases of occupation and building. The type and character of the archaeological sites in the survey areas are of regional and national importance which should be safeguarded.

An archaeological watching brief was carried out in relation to the development of a new house at Croft No. 5, Peinaha, Glenhinnisdal, Isle of Skye. The development site consisted of a tract of improved land with the remains of a stone built structure and a field dyke. There were no archaeological remains uncovered. The ruin was recorded and dated like to second half of the 19th century per historical mapping.

An archaeological desk-based assessment and walkover survey was carried out in advance of a proposed new water main between Newlands and Wester Abercalder to the south of Dores, Inverness-shire. The work was undertaken to assess the nature and extent of any archaeology likely to be affected along the line of the route in order to inform recommendations for the protection and management of any sites recovered. The walkover survey identified several new archaeological sites including four bridges, an enclosure, turf and stone-built structures, boundary dykes and a track. The desk-based assessment produced a wide range of sites within the immediate landscape surrounding the proposed works including a crannog, farmsteads and townships. Post-medieval settlement remains relating to some of these sites were identified and recorded during the survey. Mitigation measures are proposed to safeguard the sites during the excavation of the pipeline trench.

An archaeological watching brief was conducted in respect to the construction of a new house on land at Strathglebe, Swordale on the Isle of Skye. There were no archaeological features encountered

Archaeological monitoring was requested by Scottish Water in relation to the construction of a new water main pipeline on the Isle of Iona. The pipeline route will come across the Sound of Iona from Mull and run alongside an existing pipeline from Port an Diseart on the east coast of the island, near two Scheduled Monuments. No archaeological features or finds were noted.

An archaeological desk-based assessment and watching brief was conducted ahead of construction of a new house at Husabost, Skye. No archaeological features were identified.

A desk-based assessment and archaeological evaluation was requested in advance of a new residential housing development and associated infrastructure on land 160m south of Kinloch Castle, on the island of Rum, in the Inner Hebrides. A programme of trial trenching was conducted across the site to assess the potential for buried archaeological deposits and artefacts. The fieldwork established the presence of a Mesolithic site that appears to have been truncated by the Main Postglacial Transgression and buried geomorphological features relating to the contemporary landscape.

A small-scale archaeological excavation and watching brief was carried out at 7 North Duntulm on the Trotternish peninsula of the Isle of Skye, in advance of the development of two new house sites. The work was undertaken in terms of the mitigation strategy recommended by West Coast Archaeological Services following a detailed archaeological survey of the proposed development sites carried out on 26th July 2011.