Series: Scotia Archaeology unpublished report series

Watching brief during excavations for a new garage at 1 Smiddy Lane, Ellon. The excavation revealed part of a cobbled yard associated with the late 18th-/early 19th-century smiddy, the cobbles being overlain with very hard, compacted smiddy waste. Below the cobbled yard were fragments of an earlier one comprising small cobbles lined with bricks.

Watching briefs were kept between February and July 2010 at several locations during the refurbishment of an 11kv overhead power line around Loch Feochan to the S of Oban. Replacement pole trenches were located at: NM 86210 27458; NM 87711 27393; NM 88061 26987; NM 88302 24777; NM 89093 24659; NM 89315 24359; and NM 85714 25710. In addition, a stay trench was excavated at NM 88064 26938 and a cable trench dug between the pole at NM 88061 26987 to a house at NM 88056 26975. The overhead line was replaced by an underground one between NM 83012 23301 and NM 82968 23223. Nothing of archaeological significance was found in any of the trenches.

NR 3204 6024 to NR 2470 5770; NR 2218 6705 to NR 2100 5628; NR 2638 6655 to NR 2465 6604; NR 2516 6455 to NR 2748 6358; NR 1685 5200; NR 1970 5295 Walk-over surveys were undertaken at various locations on Islay between 17 and 19 June 2012 in advance of the refurbishment of sections of the island's power supply. The main stretches were: Bowmore to near Port Charlotte (NR 3204 6024 to NR 2470 5770); Ballinaby to Saligo (NR 2218 6705 to NR 2100 5628); around An Sidhean (NR 2638 6655 to NR 2465); and around Foreland (NR 2516 6455 to NR 2748 6358). Smaller investigations were centred on NR 1685 5200 and NR 1970 5295, near Portnahaven. Two previously unrecorded sites were encountered. At NR 30228 62815, close to the shore and a short distance west of Blackrock, is a small area of lazy beds. At NR 24920 58051, in a pasture field on the edge of Port Charlotte is a low, circular mound completely grassed over and measuring approximately 8-9m across and 0.4m high. Its summit is slightly dished, perhaps indicating that its interior is filled with collapsed walling although this could not be verified.

NT 0043 7716 A watching brief was maintained between 22 September and 1 October 2010 during ground works associated with the construction of an extension to the rear of a dental practice at 22-24 High Street, Linlithgow. The footprint of the new building was similar to that of a recently-demolished structure which overlay the scant remains of an earlier one, perhaps of 18th-century date, identified as the foundations of its north and west walls.

A walk-over survey undertaken on 10 February 2012 around the proposed site of a new sub-station identified the remains of a large enclosure on open moorland some 2.5km N of Minard. It was defined by a fragmentary stone and turf bank, 0.8m wide and up to 0.6m high and measured perhaps 200m across although its limits were difficult to determine. On 12 March 2012 three sections were cut across the bank in order to establish its construction which was confirmed as being of turf and boulders. No dating evidence was recovered. The feature is interpreted as a stock enclosure of probable pre-Improvement age and perhaps contemporary with field systems depicted on an estate plan of 1839.

A walk-over survey was completed on 17 October 2013 along the course of a proposed new hydro-electric scheme on the east side of the Leny Burn, some 2km NW of Callander. No previously unrecorded sites of archaeological significance were encountered along the route.

A walk-over survey was undertaken on 15 October 2013 along the course of a proposed new hydro-electric scheme on the Ardchullarie Burn, 8km NW of Callander. No previously unrecorded sites of archaeological significance were encountered along the route.

A walk-over survey was carried out on 1 November 2013 along the route of a proposed new hydro-electric scheme alongside the Milton Burn near Colintraive on the Kyles of Bute. The only previously unrecorded feature of interest comprised the scant remains of an earth and stone bank which ran eastwards for some 20m from NS 03713 75347.

A watching brief was undertaken on 12-19 May 2015 during soil-stripping for a new access road to the power house of the Ardtalnaig Hydro scheme on the E side of Loch Tay. Another watching brief was carried out on 20 February 2016 adjacent to a meter kiosk for receiving the power at Lawers on the W side of the loch. Nothing of archaeological significance was uncovered in either trench.

A walk-over survey was carried out on 22 September 2014 along the route of a proposed new hydro-electric scheme on the Auldmurroch Burn, near Blanefield. Unfortunately, bracken covered much of the ground at that time and the route was re-surveyed on 23 January 2016 when vegetation was low. Nothing of archaeological significance was encountered on either occasion.