Series: Highland Archaeology Services unpublished report series

A photographic survey of a range of harbourside warehouses was undertaken in advance of proposed conversion to flats.

Archaeological evaluation and recording of standing structures are being undertaken in advance of works to Aberdeen harbour. This record covers the investigations in Area 1, the foreshore to the west of Torry Quay. No archaeologically significant features or artefacts were discovered within Area 1.

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken during topsoil stripping for an access road to serve two house-sites at Torness, Abersky, Inverness-shire, in response to a planning condition. No significant archaeological features or artefacts were recorded.

An archaeological desk-based assessment and walk-over survey were undertaken in response to a planning condition for quarrying of sand and rock at Ackron, Melvich, Sutherland. Nothing of archaeological significance was found within the areas of consent.

Two ten-day excavations were held at the Applecross Broch site in April and September 2007. The excavations consisted of a programme of community led archaeological investigation and site presentation works, its purpose to identify and record key aspects of the broch site that could not be addressed during the Time Team visit in April of 2005, creating a conserved, interpreted monument for the public to visit. Following a previous season in 2006, the first excavation of 2007 saw the continuation of investigation to two opposing quadrants that had been opened over the circuit of the broch. A rectangular possible work surface was investigated within the broch centre, and during the September stint, the entrance passageway of a souterrain was uncovered. Also discovered during the latter excavation of 2007 were two similarly incised stones. Extensions were also made to trenches from previous seasons, as well as two 2m x 2m trenches in preparation of the relocation of the electricity pole from within the broch centre.

An Archaeological Evaluation consisting of a desk-based assessment, trial-trenching evaluation and building survey, was carried out in July 2007 in advance of construction of a new house at 25 Lairg Muir. The desk-based assessment found there to be no recorded archaeological features within the site itself, although the surrounding area is rich in archaeology, containing extensive prehistoric and later sites including hut circles, cairns and field systems from the Bronze and Iron Age. Due to the likely demolition of the original croft house and byre, a rapid photographic record and building survey was undertaken. A tracked back-acting mechanical excavator fitted with a 1.8m straight-edged ditching bucket excavated two trenches under close archaeological supervision. These trenches covered an area of 92.5sq.m. Representing a sample of approximately 7.7% of the development site. Nine fragments of ceramic and two of glass were recovered from the plough-soil, consistent with a mid to late 19th century date. No finds of archaeological interest were identified, the site has been in cultivation for a very long time, and appears to have been levelled and improved in the 20th century

An excavation was conducted by Highland Archaeology services in august and September of 2007 to identify, excavate and record all features already exposed following a watching brief conducted by CFA Archaeology in May 2007. Two trenches were opened, the main excavation area with a measurement of circa. 4470 m sq and a smaller section immediately to the south circa. 885 m sq. The watching brief had indicated a high concentration of pits, but when investigated, a large proportion were in fact natural depressions filled with topsoil or anomalies attributed to tree root action. Several small pits containing worked flint and BA pottery were found, as well as a large, deep (thought to be) wattle: lined pit with a diameter of 3.50m and stake holes arcing around the base circumference. Three well defined fire pits were also excavated along with a partial curvilinear small ditch-like feature with an increasing depth as it progresses from SE to NW.

The laying of a water main at St. Michael''s churchyard, Dallas was monitored for possible archaeological evidence. The pipeline runs along the road verge adjoining the front (southern) edge of the graveyard. The church itself stands on a medieval site and the churchyard contains a Scheduled market cross, said to be one of the oldest in Scotland. It was therefore possible that burials or other features of archaeological importance could extend outwith the modern churchyard boundary. The contractors'' trench revealed clean and undisturbed sandy silts, apart from one location opposite the entrance to the side access to the church, where there was a manhole and associated drains, and indications of a wide, almost certainly natural depression, containing a fill of rounded cobbles below layered silts. This was interpreted as a former pond or similar. There are no recommendations for further archaeological work at this site.

An archaeological desk-based assessment and watching brief were carried out at Gordonstoun School, Moray, in response to a planning condition. Excavations for foundations for a new studio theatre, and associated service trenches, were observed and photographed. Wooden buildings, the tarmac surface of a former tennis court, and an area of turf were removed; beneath these surfaces lay approx 30-50cm of the topsoil giving way to sand beneath. There was a notable dark mineral pan at the interface. No archaeologically significant features or finds were recorded, and there are no recommendations for further work.

A desk-based assessment and rapid walk-over survey were undertaken to inform proposals for a new house at Arrowdale, leacnasaide, gairloch. Evidence was found of a number of buildings of different dates.