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Limekiln Wind Farm

November 2012

Cover image for illustrative purpose only

Limekiln Wind Farm

Environmental Statement

Document Title: Environmental Statement

Document No: 30147CR019

Revision: 01 1-1

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose of this Environmental Statement (ES)

1.1.1 Infinergy is seeking consent from the Scottish Ministers under Section 36 of

the Electricity Act 1989 to construct and operate a wind farm at a maximum

installed capacity of 72MW. Infinergy also seeks a Direction from the

Scottish Ministers under Section 57(2) of the Town and Country Planning

(Scotland) Act 1997 that planning permission be deemed to be granted for

the development. The site of the proposed wind farm and details of the

development are set out briefly in the next paragraph and more fully

described in Chapter 3 ‘Description of the Proposed Development’.

1.1.2 This environmental statement (ES) provides environmental information on

the proposed Limekiln Wind Farm which would be built on land located

approximately 2km south of Reay and approximately 3km south / south-

west of the Dounreay Nuclear Power Station, Caithness. It has been

prepared to accompany the application described in paragraph 1.1.1. A full

description of the EIA process is provided in Chapter 2 ‘The EIA Process’.

The development for which planning permission is being sought comprises

the following:

• 24 wind turbines;

• New vehicular access;

• Hard standing areas e.g. crane pads;

• On-site access track construction;

• Temporary works e.g. construction compound; and

• Control building and substation if required and cabling within the site.

1.1.3 This ES has been prepared by AMEC Environment and Infrastructure UK Ltd

on behalf of Infinergy and provides some of the information that will be

used by the Scottish Government and others to inform the process of

determining the Section 36 application and request for planning permission

to build and operate the proposed development.

1.2 Structure of the Environmental Statement

1.2.1 The ES comprises five parts:

• Non Technical summary (NTS);

• Vol 1 - This text volume;

• Vol 2 – Figures;

• Vol 3 - Landscape and Visual Figure Visualisations; and

• Vol 4 – Appendices.

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1.2.2 Volume 1 is divided into 15 chapters:

• Chapter 1 Introduction

• Provides background information about Infinergy and an overview of the

proposed Limekiln Wind Farm.

• Chapter 2 Approach to EIA and Project Design

• Provides an overview of the EIA process, its regulatory context and an

outline of the methodology used to assess impacts and ensure a

consistent and transparent approach to assessment. It describes the

scoping and consultation process that assisted in the identification of

likely significant environmental effects to be given further consideration

and provides details of the alternative layouts which have been

considered.

• Chapter 3 Description of the Proposed Development

• Provides details of the design and layout of the wind turbines and how

the proposed wind farm will be constructed and operated.

• Chapter 4 Planning Policy Overview

• Provides an overview of UK and Scottish policy on renewable energy

generation. It also presents an overview of national, regional and local

planning policy which applies to the proposed Limekiln Wind Farm.

• Chapter 5 Climate Change Policy, Carbon Payback and Peat

Management

1.2.3 Consideration has been given to all environmental topics but the

assessment has been focused on those where significant environmental

effects are most likely (Section 2.2). Chapters 6 to 15 report the findings

on each of the environmental topics where the possibility of likely significant

environmental effects was anticipated at scoping stage, and propose

mitigation and enhancement measures. The environmental topics covered

are:

• Chapter 6 Socio-Economics;

• Chapter 7 Traffic and Transport;

• Chapter 8 Noise;

• Chapter 9 Landscape and Visual Impact;

• Chapter 10 Cultural Heritage;

• Chapter 11 Ecology;

• Chapter 12 Ornithology;

• Chapter 13 Hydrology and Hydrogeology;

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• Chapter 14 Shadow Flicker; and

• Chapter 15 Infrastructure, Telecommunications, Utilities and Aviation

Safeguarding.

1.2.4 In addition, a number of stand-alone reports on specific technical issues

have been prepared. These provide further information on certain surveys

and research on which the assessment of significant environmental effects

has been based. These are included as appendices (Volume 4) to this

main volume.

1.2.5 The findings of the assessment described in this volume of the ES are

brought together in a Non-Technical Summary (summarising the findings in

non-technical language) presented as a separate document.

1.3 Overview of the proposed development

1.3.1 The proposed Limekiln Wind Farm site (the development site) is centred on

approximate National Grid Reference (NGR) NC 98270 60620 and located

approximately 2km south of Reay and approximately 3km south / south-

west of the Dounreay Nuclear Power Station, Caithness. The development

site predominantly comprises a commercial forestry plantation. The

development site boundary is shown in Figure 1.1 and the wider

geographical context in Figure 1.2. The development site boundary

encloses an area of approximately 1,140 ha.

1.3.2 Infinergy has established the viability of constructing and operating a wind

farm comprising 24 turbines, with an anticipated installed capacity (power

output) of 3MW each, plus ancillary infrastructure (including access tracks)

as listed in Section 1.1.2.

1.3.3 The specific choice of wind turbine to be installed at Limekiln is dependent

on a future procurement exercise by Infinergy, which will depend on

commercial and technical considerations. The reference turbine used to

establish the effects assessed in this ES is the Enercon E82 (3MW) machine

which has a potential height to blade tip of up to 139m1 with a hub height of

85m or 98m and a rotor diameter of 82m. Each turbine would occupy

approximately 0.53ha2 , with the physical footprint of the turbines and

associated infrastructure being approximately 13.15ha. The proposed wind

farm layout is described further in Chapter 3 ‘Description of the

Proposed Development’.

1.3.4 The proposed Limekiln Wind Farm would be operational for 25 years and at

the end of this period it will be decommissioned.

1 The maximum height of the wind turbine measured from ground level to the blade tip when the blade is in a vertical position.

2 The area of land over which the turbine blades can rotate (not the physical footprint) calculated using Πr

2 based on a 41m rotor

radius (rotor diameter of 82m).

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1.3.5 The installed capacity of the proposed Limekiln Wind Farm is anticipated to

be 72MW based on the use of the Enercon E82 reference turbine with an

individual rated output of 3MW assuming a typical 30% net capacity factor.

1.3.6 Taking into account that the turbines will not operate at full capacity all of

the time, the amount of electricity produced by the proposed wind farm

(using the reference turbine and assuming a typical 30% net capacity

factor) has been estimated to be in the order of 189.216GWhr per year.

See Chapter 5 Section 5.3.15. It is estimated that the annual electricity

output of the proposed Limekiln Wind Farm (using the reference turbine and

assuming a typical 30% net capacity factor) will be equivalent to the

approximate domestic needs of approximately 43,400 domestic homes in

the UK.

1.3.7 It is widely accepted that electricity produced from wind energy has a

positive benefit with regard to reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Chapter 5, Section 5.3.16 to 5.3.17 shows that between 81,363 and

162,726 tonnes of carbon dioxide may be saved each year by the proposed

Limekiln Wind Farm, based on different fuel sources, and shown in Table

5.1. Over its lifetime the proposed wind farm (using the reference turbine)

may save between 2,034,075 and 4,068,150 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

1.4 The applicant – Infinergy

1.4.1 Infinergy is a UK based renewable energy company with a strong focus on

the development of onshore wind energy in Scotland, England and Wales.

Infinergy develops wind energy projects from inception through to

construction and operation.

1.4.2 The projects are developed either solely by Infinergy, on in Joint Ventures

with landowners and other stakeholders. Infinergy is a wholly owned

subsidiary of KDE Energy in the Netherlands, a renewable energy business

developing onshore wind projects across Europe.

1.5 The Environmental Impact Assessment Project Team

1.5.1 As well as staff from Infinergy, who have contributed to the consultation

and scheme design process, Infinergy have utilised the specialist skills of a

number of organisations to compile the information for this ES:

• AMEC Environment and Infrastructure UK Ltd - Overall co-ordination of

the ES and Traffic and Transport, Noise, Hydrology and Hydrogeology,

Shadow Flicker, Infrastructure, Terrestrial Ecology (excluding surveys)

and Climate Change Policy, Carbon Payback and Peat Management

chapters;

• Optimised Environments – Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

(LVIA);

• Biggar Economics – Socio-economics;

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• Headland Archaeology – Cultural Heritage;

• DGA Forestry – Forestry Management and Assessment;

• Natural Research Projects Ltd –Ornithology survey and assessment; and

• Aquaterra / Waterside Ecology – Ecology surveys.

1.6 Obtaining further information

1.6.1 The Environmental Statement and supporting documentation are available

online, please visit the dedicated project website for Limekiln Wind Farm,

www.limekilnwindfarm.co.uk/downloads.aspx. Copies of the Non Technical

Summary and a DVD comprising the entire Environmental Statement in

Adobe pdf format may be obtained free of charge while stocks last.

Similarly, paper copies of the Environmental Statement may be obtained at

a cost of £250 + P&P each. Please email us at [email protected]

or write to us free of charge at Freepost Infinergy Ltd (no further details or

stamps required). Below is our address in Inverness:

Infinergy Ltd

Ness Horizons Centre, Kintail House

Beechwood Business Centre

Inverness

IV2 3BW

Freephone 0800 316 8134

1.6.2 Hard copies of the application and environmental statement will also be

made available for public viewing at copies of the application will be made

available for public viewing at Reay Village Hall, Reay Village Store, The

Highland Council and Scottish Government Library.

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10. CULTURAL HERITAGE 10.1 Summary

10.1.1 This chapter presents the findings of the cultural heritage assessment for the proposed Limekiln Wind Farm. A desk-based assessment and walkover survey were undertaken to establish the cultural heritage resource that may be affected by the proposed wind farm. The potential effect on this resource was then assessed.

10.1.2 The construction phase of this wind farm has the potential to directly affect two previously recorded archaeological assets and may effect previously unrecorded cultural heritage assets within the area. Without mitigation these effects will be of no more than a slight to moderate level of adverse effect. Appropriate mitigation will reduce this effect.

10.1.3 Effects on three cultural heritage assets have been identified for the operational phase of this wind farm. There will be no greater than a slight level of adverse effect on the setting of these assets.

10.2 Introduction and overview

10.2.1 This chapter assesses the predicted effects of the proposed Limekiln Wind Farm on cultural heritage assets. Cultural heritage assets have been defined as all relict man-made assets pre-dating First Edition Ordnance Survey mapping (surveyed 1872 in this area) and selected assets post 1872, such as wartime or industrial sites. This includes all Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings, Inventory Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes and Inventory Battlefields. Cultural heritage, as it is interpreted here, thus includes all types of historic buildings and archaeological sites.

10.2.2 Potential impacts of the development of the proposed wind farm upon cultural heritage assets could comprise:

• Physical damage to the fabric of cultural heritage assets, generally resulting from groundworks associated with the construction of the proposed wind farm; and

• Adverse impacts upon the setting of cultural heritage assets, largely this relates to visual impacts.

10.2.3 Cultural heritage assets considered are listed in a Gazetteer and Concordance (Appendix 10.A) and in the interest of clarity are referred to by Asset (A) numbers issued in the course of this assessment.

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10.3 Methodology

Legislation and policy context

10.3.1 This assessment has been undertaken with reference to relevant legislation, National Planning Policy and Local planning guidance from the Highland Council relating to cultural heritage. An overview of relevant legislation and planning policy that have been consulted is provided below:

10.3.2 The Scottish Government’s planning policy in relation to Cultural Heritage is set out in paragraphs 110-114 of Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) (February 2010), which is supported by the Scottish Historic Environment Policy (SHEP) (July 2009). Further guidance is given in the form of the Managing Change in the Historic Environment series (2010) from Historic Scotland and PAN2/2011 Planning and Archaeology (July 2011). The underlying aim of these policies and guidance documents is to manage development in such a way that the special character and values of the historic environment are preserved. The SPP provides guidance for the protection of the historic environment within the context of the planning system. It requires planning authorities to take into account the planning policy and guidance regarding the historic environment when determining planning applications and developers to do likewise formulating development proposals. The SPP states that, in most cases, the historic environment can accommodate change that is sensitively managed without the loss of its special character, but in some instances this may not be possible. Where this is the case, planning decisions should be based on a clear understanding of the importance of the heritage asset.

10.3.3 The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979: Scheduled monuments are sites of national importance that the Scottish Ministers have given legal protection under ‘The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979’. Historic Scotland works on behalf of the Scottish Ministers to compile, maintain and publish a schedule of these monuments. Any work directly affecting these sites can only be carried out with the consent of the Scottish Ministers, following guidance by Historic Scotland.

10.3.4 Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas (Scotland) Act 1997 - Listed Buildings are defined as buildings of special architectural or historic interest in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended). The Act states that “the planning authority, in determining any application for planning permission for development that affects a listed building or its setting, is required to have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building, or its setting,

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or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses.” (Section 59(1))

10.3.5 The Highland Structure Plan, 2001- covers cultural heritage within the Safeguarding Our Environment section under the heading Natural, Built and Cultural Heritage- in which Policy 57 Natural, Built and Cultural Heritage states:“All development proposals will be assessed taking into account the level of importance and type of heritage features, the form and scale of the development, and any impact on the feature and its setting” This policy goes on to set the criteria for features of local/ regional importance, national importance and international importance.

Assessment Methodology and Significance Criteria

10.3.6 This cultural heritage assessment comprises a baseline survey, undertaken through documentary research and field survey. This is followed by an assessment of the potential direct and indirect effects of the construction, operational and decommissioning phases of the proposed wind farm. Mitigation is proposed and the significance of the residual effects assessed.

Study Areas

10.3.7 The study took in three concentric areas:

• The Inner Study Area; this is based on the application area (Figure 10.1). Within this study area all cultural heritage assets are considered in relation to both direct and indirect impacts. Also considered is the potential for previously unrecorded assets to be affected by the development;

• The Middle Study Area. This extends 5km from the boundary of the application area (Figure 10.2). Within this area all nationally important assets (Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings, Inventory Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes and Inventory Battlefields) were considered in relation to potential operational impacts upon setting and to inform the potential for previously unrecorded cultural heritage assets within the Inner Study Area; and

• The Outer Study Area. This is based on the Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV), as defined in the Landscape and Visual chapter (Chapter 9), within which cultural heritage assets highlighted specifically by consultees or identified as being at risk of significant effects upon setting were considered.

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Data Sources

10.3.8 The desk-based study has been based on readily available and relevant documentary sources. The following archives were referred to:

• National Monuments Record of Scotland (NMRS);

• Vertical aerial photographs held by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS);

• Highland Council’s Historic Environment Record (HER);

• Databases of designated cultural heritage assets (scheduled monuments, listed buildings, battlefields, inventory historic gardens and designed landscapes and conservation areas) maintained by Historic Scotland;

• Maps held by the National Library of Scotland; and

• Other readily accessible published sources.

Field survey methodology

10.3.9 A targeted walkover survey of the Inner Study Area was carried out on 17-19th January 2012 guided by modern mapping and a handheld gps system. Due to the density of plantation forestry within the study area the walkover was targeted on known cultural heritage assets and areas that are clear of forestry. It was considered that a walkover through plantation forestry would not be informative at this stage due to the highly restricted visibility within the woods. The intention of this walkover was to assess the presence/absence, character, extent and condition of known assets and to identify any previously unrecorded assets.

10.3.10 The area surrounding the Inner Study Area was driven around and visits made to cultural heritage assets in order to establish the potential for impacts upon their setting and to gather data to allow impacts to be assessed.

Consultation

10.3.11 Historic Scotland in their pre-application advice response dated the 15th November 2010 stated that their concern “is the potential impact of the proposal on the scheduled monument known as Clach Clais an Tuire, standing stone 1000m SE of Loanscorribest (Index no. 441).” They requested that “any photomontages or wireframes produced comprise the view towards the proposed wind farm from a point c.50m to the north-east of this monument.” Finally they stated that “at this stage, our view on the principle of this proposal is that development could be achieved at this

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location if the turbines of the proposed wind farm are not located in close proximity to the monument.”

10.3.12 Historic Scotland’s scoping response dated the 31st October 2011 stated “The closest heritage asset is the scheduled Clach Clais an TUire standing stone 1000m SE of Loanscorribest (index no. 441). The wind farm should be designed to avoid significant impacts on setting.”

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Criteria for Construction Impacts

10.3.13 Construction work has the potential to damage or destroy cultural heritage assets. This may occur either as a result of the design of the development or as an accidental consequence of construction plant movement. The impacts may be direct, for instance where an archaeological deposit is removed or damaged during ground-breaking works, or indirect, for example where changes in hydrology may lead to waterlogged archaeological deposits becoming desiccated and degraded. Setting impacts pertaining to the construction phase are short-lived and are therefore not considered to be significant and have not been considered further within this chapter.

10.3.14 The sensitivity of a cultural heritage asset to construction impacts reflects the level of importance assigned to it. This is the product of a number of factors, including its potential as a resource of archaeological data, its association with significant historical events, its role as a local landmark with cultural associations and its aesthetic value.

10.3.15 Official designations applied respectively to archaeological assets and buildings have been taken as indicators of importance as they reflect these factors. Scheduled Monuments and Category A Listed Buildings are of national significance; non designated sites considered to be of schedulable quality, are also recognised here as assets of national importance. Category B and C(S) Listed Buildings are classified, respectively, as being of regional and local importance (Historic Scotland, 2009, Note 2.19). It is also recognised that groups of local or regionally significant sites can have a collective group value. Sensitivity is assigned to undesignated cultural heritage assets according to the professional judgement of the assessor.

10.3.16 In determining the magnitude of effect, the value or special interest of the asset affected is first defined. This allows the identification of key assets and provides the baseline against which the magnitude of change can be assessed, the magnitude of effect being proportional to the degree of change in the asset’s baseline value or special interest.

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10.3.17 The criteria used for defining a cultural heritage asset’s sensitivity to direct and indirect physical impacts and then assessing the magnitude of those impacts are summarised in Tables 10.1 and 10.2 below.

Table 10.1 Criteria for Assessing the Sensitivity of Cultural Heritage Assets to Construction Impacts

Sensitivity of Receptor Definition

High Scheduled Monuments, Category A Listed Buildings and undesignated archaeological assets of national importance

Medium Category B Listed Buildings and undesignated archaeological assets of regional importance

Low Category C(S) Listed Buildings and undesignated archaeological assets of local importance

Negligible A badly preserved or extremely common type of archaeological asset or building of little value at local, regional or national levels

Table 10.2 Criteria for Assessing the Magnitude of Construction Impacts on Cultural Heritage Assets

Magnitude of impact Definition

Large beneficial The asset is preserved in situ, where it would be lost if the development did not take place, preserving or enhancing the asset’s value.

Medium beneficial The asset is preserved by record, where it would be lost if the development did not take place

Small beneficial The asset is preserved by record where it would otherwise continue to naturally degrade if the development did not take place

Negligible / None Very slight or negligible alteration of the cultural heritage asset

Small adverse Slight physical alteration of the cultural heritage asset not affecting key elements, slightly reducing the asset’s value

Medium adverse Loss of one or more key elements of the cultural heritage asset substantially reducing the asset’s value

Large adverse Total loss or major alteration of the cultural heritage asset removing the asset’s value.

Assessment Criteria for Operational Impacts

10.3.18 During the operation phase of developments, the setting of cultural heritage assets may be affected. Historic Scotland has produced a guidance note on setting as part of its ‘Managing Change in the Historic

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Environment’ series of documents. This defines setting in the following terms:

“Setting should be thought of as the way in which the surroundings of a historic asset or place contribute to how it is experienced, understood and appreciated.” (Historic Scotland, 2010, Para 2.1)

10.3.19 Hence setting is not simply the visual envelope of the asset in question. Rather, it is those parts of the asset’s surroundings that are relevant to the cultural significance of the asset. In general, there will be an appreciable historical relationship between the asset and its setting, either in terms of a physical relationship, such as between a castle and the natural rise that it occupies, or a more distant visual relationship, such as a designed vista or the view from, for example, one Roman signal station to another. Some assets’ cultural significance will relate to an aesthetic relationship with their surroundings which may result from design or be fortuitous. In such instances the relevant landscape elements will be considered to form part of the asset’s setting. The cultural significance of assets has been considered in terms of the values described in Scottish Historic Environment Policy(Historic Scotland , 2011, Para 5):

• Intrinsic - those inherent in the monument;

• Contextual – those relating to the monument’s place in the landscape or in the body of existing knowledge; and

• Associative – more subjective assessments of the associations of the monument, including with current or past aesthetic preferences.

10.3.20 Most setting impacts will relate to contextual and associative values.

10.3.21 The sensitivity of a cultural heritage asset to changes in its setting can be evaluated in the first instance by reference to any relevant designation, whereby assets designated as nationally important will generally be considered the most sensitive. Consequently, the assessment has focussed on nationally important cultural heritage assets in the study areas which are considered in relation to impacts upon setting, with other assets being considered where, in the assessor’s professional opinion, there is potential for significant impacts or where they have been raised by consultees. Following reference to the designation of the asset, sensitivity can be more finely assessed by reference to the importance of the asset’s surroundings, to its character and value as a cultural heritage asset and the appreciation of its value. Also taken into account is the extent to which an asset is visible on the ground. Some assets may have a well-defined and appreciable setting but the asset itself is barely perceptible;

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such assets will generally be less sensitive than those that are readily appreciable.

10.3.22 Table 10.3 is a general guide to the attributes of cultural heritage assets of high, medium, low or negligible sensitivity to setting impacts. It should be noted that not all the qualities listed need be present in every case and professional judgement is used in balancing the different criteria.

Table 10.3 Criteria for Assessment of Sensitivity of a Cultural Heritage Asset to Impacts on its Setting

Sensitivity Guideline Criteria

High Setting makes a considerable contribution to the significance of the asset. The asset has a clearly defined setting that is readily appreciable on the ground and is vital to its significance or the appreciation thereof. The asset will generally be readily appreciable on the ground.

Medium Setting makes some contribution to the significance of the asset. The asset’s significance and the appreciation thereof relate to some extent to its setting. The asset will generally be appreciable on the ground.

Low Setting makes a small contribution to the significance of the asset. The asset’s surroundings have little relevance to its significance or the appreciation thereof. The asset is difficult to identify on the ground or its setting is difficult to appreciate on the ground.

Negligible The asset is imperceptible in the landscape and its significance or the appreciation thereof does not relate to its surroundings.

Magnitude

10.3.23 The magnitude of an effect reflects the extent to which relevant elements of the cultural heritage asset's setting are changed by the development and the impact that this has upon the character and value of the asset and the appreciation thereof. Guideline criteria for magnitude defined as high, medium, low or negligible magnitude are described in Table 10.4. As with other criteria presented, this is intended as a general guide and it is not anticipated that all the criteria listed will be present in every case.

10.3.24 The following are guides to the assessment of magnitude of effect:

• Obstruction of or distraction from key views. Some assets have been sited or designed with specific views in mind, such as the view from a Roman signal station to an associated fort or a country house with designed vistas. The obstruction or cluttering of such views would reduce the extent to which the asset could be understood and appreciated by the visitor. Developments such as that proposed outside a key view may also distract from them and make them

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difficult to appreciate on account of their prominence. In such instances the magnitude is likely to be greatest where views have a particular focus or a strong aesthetic character.

• Changes in prominence. Some assets are deliberately placed in prominent locations in order to be prominent in the surrounding landscape, for example prehistoric cairns are often placed to be silhouetted against the sky and churches in some areas are deliberately placed on ridges in order to be highly visible. Developments can reduce such prominence and therefore reduce the extent to which such assets can be appreciated.

• Changes in landscape character. A particular land use regime may be essential to the appreciation of an asset’s function, for instance the fields surrounding an Improvement Period Farmstead are inextricably linked to its appreciation. Changes in land use can leave the asset isolated and reduce its value. In some instances, assets will have aesthetic value or a sense of place that is tied to the surrounding landscape character.

• Duration of effect. Effects that are short term are generally of lesser magnitude than those that are long term or permanent.

• Reversibility of Effects Readily reversible effects are generally of lesser magnitude than those that can not be reversed.

• Effects upon a defined setting will be of greater magnitude than those that affect unrelated elements of the asset’s surroundings or incidental views to or from an asset that are unrelated to the appreciation of its value.

10.3.25 It should be noted that the assessment of magnitude will be based on the interplay of these factors. No single factor will be taken to over-ride other factors, for instance an adverse effect that would be of high magnitude will not generally be reduced to low magnitude, simply on the grounds that it is reversible. It should also be noted that whilst the development may be present within the visual envelope of an asset this does not automatically mean there is an effect on the setting of the asset. Where this is the case, the reasoning behind this will be given.

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Table 10.4 Criteria for Assessment of Magnitude of an Effect on the Setting of a Cultural Heritage Asset

Magnitude Guideline Criteria

Large beneficial The contribution of setting to the cultural heritage asset’s significance is considerably enhanced as a result of the development; a lost relationship between the asset and its setting is restored, or the legibility of the relationship is greatly enhanced. Elements of the surroundings that detract from the asset’s cultural heritage significance or the appreciation of that significance are removed.

Medium beneficial The contribution of setting to the cultural heritage asset’s significance is enhanced to a clearly appreciable extent as a result of the development; as a result the relationship between the asset and its setting is rendered more readily apparent. The negative effect of elements of the surroundings that detract from the asset’s cultural heritage significance or the appreciation of that significance is appreciably reduced.

Small beneficial The setting of the cultural heritage asset is slightly improved as a result of the development, slightly improving the degree to which the setting’s relationship with the asset can be appreciated.

Negligible / None There are changes in the surroundings of the asset, however these do not affect its cultural significance.

Small adverse The contribution of the setting of the cultural heritage asset to its significance is slightly degraded as a result of the development, but without adversely affecting the interpretability of the asset and its setting; characteristics of historic value can still be appreciated, the changes do not strongly conflict with the character of the asset, and could be easily reversed to approximate the pre-development conditions.

Medium adverse The contribution of the setting of the cultural heritage asset to its significance is reduced appreciably as a result of the development and cannot easily be reversed to approximate pre-development conditions. Relevant setting characteristics can still be appreciated but less readily.

Large adverse The contribution of the setting of the cultural heritage asset to its significance is effectively lost or substantially reduced as a result of the development, the relationship between the asset and its setting is no longer readily appreciable.

Significance

10.3.26 The significance of an effect on a cultural heritage asset, whether a physical effect (direct or indirect) or an indirect effect on its setting, is assessed by combining the magnitude of the effect and the sensitivity of the cultural heritage asset. The matrix in Table 10.5 provides a guide to decision-making but is not a substitute for professional judgement and interpretation, particularly where the sensitivity or effect magnitude levels are not clear or are borderline between categories. Predicted adverse effects of a moderate to very substantial level are considered significant for the purpose of the EIA Regulations.

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Table 10.5 Criteria for Assessing the Significance of Effects on Cultural Heritage Assets

Sensitivity of receptor

Mag

nit

ud

e of

ch

ang

e

HIGH MEDIUM LOW NEGLIGIBLE

LARGE SUBSTANTIAL SUBSTANTIAL MODERATE NEGLIGIBLE

MEDIUM SUBSTANTIAL MODERATE SLIGHT NEGLIGIBLE

SMALL MODERATE SLIGHT NEGLIGIBLE NEGLIGIBLE

NEGLIGIBLE SLIGHT NEGLIGIBLE NEGLIGIBLE NEGLIGIBLE

10.4 Baseline information

Development site description and geology

10.4.1 The Inner Study Area comprises approximately 1140ha of upland moorland varying in height from 60 – 140m aOD. The bedrock of the north and west of the area is an unnamed igneous intrusion while that in the east and south is red sandstone. The superficial geology of the north of the Inner Study Area is diamicton till whilst in the south it is peat. In terms of present land-use this area is almost completely covered by plantation forestry.

Site history

10.4.2 The archaeological record for this area of Caithness is relatively rich with assets dating from the prehistoric to the early modern period present. The Neolithic to Bronze Age is represented by chambered tombs (A37, A42 & A43), standing stones (A39 & A44) and a stone circle (A45). Also possibly dating to the Bronze Age are an asset type – stone rows – unique to Caithness and the east of Sutherland. The site type is composed of multiple rows of small, upright stones commonly radiating in a fan shape from a cairn. One such site (Borlum Stone Rows: A10) is located near the northern limit of the Inner Study Area. There is also a scheduled example of this monument type (Cnoc Freiceadain stone rows: A41) in the Middle Study Area.

10.4.3 The Iron Age to early medieval period is represented by brochs (A36, A38, A47 & A49) in the Middle Study Area and a possible broch (A16) within the

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Inner Study Area. Brochs are stone-built towers typically with a stair, well and intra-mural chambers built within the wall thickness. The exact function of brochs remains open to debate but the nature of these structures clearly suggests that defence was a priority. Caithness has the highest concentration of brochs in Scotland; these large dry-stone towers are commonly located on top of natural mounds.

10.4.4 Dating to the early medieval period are the Pictish inscribed stones (A30) located within the Middle Study Area. Such stones clearly testify to Pictish cultural activity in the area in the last quarter of the first millennium AD.

10.4.5 Dounreay Castle (A35) is a late medieval castle dating to the late 16th century. This castle was built in the style of the Lowland Scots castles rather than the more typical Highland style castle. As such this castle reflects the influence that the Lowland Scots exerted here and is a symbol of the wealth of some of the larger estates of Caithness during the medieval period. The medieval period is also represented by Reay burial ground, old church and cross slab (A34); the cross slab is believed to date to the 9th - 10th century.

10.4.6 Evidence for the Vikings in Caithness is largely concentrated along the coast. In the area surrounding the application area Viking burials were recovered in the early 20th century in the sand dunes at Reay. This set of burials is the largest concentration of Viking burials recorded on mainland Scotland.

10.4.7 From the medieval period through to the early 19th century, the inland glens and straths of Caithness were populous with communities of farmsteads and townships farming the land. Outlying these settlements in more remote areas small shielings related to summer pastoral activity were commonly used.

10.4.8 The Sandside Estate clearances took place in the 1830s. This period saw the inland glens and straths cleared of their densely populated farming settlements with the population being moved out to the coast to make way for the adoption of large scale sheep farming. These clearances left behind a legacy of abandoned remains of townships, farmsteads and shielings. Historic assets in the Inner Study Area which are likely to date to this period include A1, A7 and A24 – A28.

10.4.9 Large scale sheep farming subsequently gave way to the creation of sporting estates and the development of extensive plantation forestry. To this day these remain the principal land-uses for the inner straths of Caithness, whilst the coastal fringe of this part of Caithness has been

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dominated by the Dounreay Nuclear Plant and the employment and infrastructure that this large industry has brought to the area.

Designated cultural heritage assets within the Inner Study Area

10.4.10 There are no designated cultural heritage assets within the Inner Study Area.

Undesignated cultural heritage assets within the Inner Study Area

10.4.11 There are 28 non-designated cultural heritage assets (Appendix 10.A) within the Inner Study Area. These include hut circles, burnt mounds, enclosures, a township, farmsteads, cairns and a possible broch. These assets are largely concentrated in the north of the application area but there is also a number along the east side. No assets have been previously recorded in the central or western parts of the application area. This may reflect the restricted access to these areas rather than an absence of assets.

Designated cultural heritage assets within the Middle Study Area

Scheduled monuments

10.4.12 There are 18 scheduled monuments (Table 10.6) in the Middle Study Area. These are largely prehistoric in date and include five cairns, a stone circle, standing stones, stone rows as well as five brochs. The early historic period is represented here by two carved Pictish symbol stones (A33). There is also one scheduled monument dating to the medieval period; the remains of Reay burial ground, old church and cross slab (A35).

10.4.13 One of the scheduled monuments, Cnoc Freiceadain long cairns (A42) is also a property in care.

Table10.6 Scheduled Monuments within the Middle Study Area

A. No. Name

30 Sandside House, two carved stones

32 Knock Stanger, cairn

34 Reay, burial ground, old church and cross slab

35 Dounreay Castle

36 Knock Urray, broch

37 Cnoc-na-h'Uiseig, chambered cairn

38 Achvarasdal House, broch

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A. No. Name

39 Achvarasdal House, two stones

40 Achunabust, broch

41 Cnoc Freiceadain, stone rows

42 Cnoc Freiceadain, long cairns

43 Hill of Shebster, chambered cairn

44 Clach Clais an Tuire, standing stone

45 Bridge of Broubster, stone circle

46 Carn Liath, cairn

47 Tota an Dranndain, broch

48 Creagan a'Bheannaich, chapel and graveyard

49 Tulach Gorm, broch

Listed buildings

10.4.14 There are 14 listed buildings in the Middle Study Area. The group comprises three Category A Listed Buildings (Table 10.7), eight Category B Listed Building and three Category C(S) Listed Buildings (Appendix 10.B).

Table10.7 Category A Listed Buildings within the Middle Study Area

A. No. Name

29 Sandside House Kiln Barn And Single Storey Range Of Former Byres, Cottage And Dairy, And Implement Shed

31 Sandside Harbour 1 And 2, Sandside And Fishing Store

33 Reay Parish Church And Enclosure Wall

Other Designations

10.4.15 There are no World Heritage Sites, Inventory gardens and designed landscapes, Inventory battlefields or Conservation Areas within the Middle Study Area.

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Potential for previously unrecorded cultural heritage assets within the Inner Study Area

10.4.16 The potential for previously unrecorded cultural heritage assets within the Inner Study Area is considered in relation to the location and number of recorded cultural heritage assets in the surrounding area and the topography and vegetation cover of the application area.

10.4.17 Known cultural heritage assets in the application area are concentrated in the north of the area. The potential for previously unrecorded cultural heritage assets will be greatest in areas along watercourses above the strath floor or in well drained higher ground. Such areas are traditionally the most attractive for settlement in this part of Caithness. As much of the application area remains densely afforested, the walkover survey that was undertaken as part of this assessment was limited to clearings and areas that were easily accessible. It is therefore possible that upstanding archaeological remains may survive within more densely planted and less accessible areas of the plantation.

10.4.18 Due to the high number of cultural heritage assets recorded in the surrounding area and the relatively small amount of the Inner Study Area surveyed due to dense plantation forestry, it is considered that there is moderate potential for cultural heritage assets to survive unrecorded within the application area.

Trends and projected future baseline

10.4.19 The projected future cultural heritage baseline will remain the same if there is no development. The exception will be any unknown cultural heritage assets within the plantation forestry which are likely to continue to be degraded by root action while the forest is growing. When the plantation forestry is felled the cultural heritage assets within it may be subject to damage from earthworks and plant movements related to this process.

Information gaps

10.4.20 The Inner Study Area is largely covered in dense plantation forestry. Such conditions made an archaeological survey of the whole area impracticable as visibility within plantation forestry is poor and the potential for identifying previously unrecorded cultural heritage assets is limited. The results of a walkover survey for much of the Inner Study Area are therefore missing and the potential for this area can only be assessed on the basis of known cultural heritage assets in the surrounding area.

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10.5 Topic specific design evolution

Scheme layout response to potentially significant effects

10.5.1 The scheme has been laid out with cultural heritage constraints in mind. The northern section of the application area has been avoided as far as possible due to the number of undesignated cultural heritage assets in the area.

10.5.2 Also the area of the limekiln (A23) has been avoided as far as reasonably practicable to allow the relationship between the limekiln, the building and the quarry to be preserved.

10.6 Predicted effects of the scheme

Direct (construction period) effects

10.6.1 There will be direct construction effects on two known cultural heritage assets.

10.6.2 The Claperon Dyke (A10) will be crossed by the access track. This dyke is a relatively common site type and it may be a plantation dyke related to the planting of the forestry or it may relate to an earlier period of land division. This is considered to be a site of no more than local importance and negligible sensitivity to construction effects. The proposed access track will cross Claperon Dyke removing a small section. This will be an adverse effect of small magnitude. It is therefore considered that without mitigation there will be a negligible level of effect on Claperon Dyke which is adverse but not significant in EIA terms.

10.6.3 The access track will also cross through the area of Milton Township and its associated area of rig and furrow (A28). Milton is a post-medieval agricultural township with possible origins in the medieval period. This is a relatively common site type in the highlands and there is no reason to suggest that this asset is of more than local importance. It is therefore considered to be of low sensitivity to direct construction effects. The track is routed to avoid the upstanding buildings of Milton, however given the proximity of the track to the structures there is potential for accidental impacts from construction plant. Accidental damage could result in impacts of up to medium magnitude on Milton with the partial removal of buildings of importance to the township. There will be direct effects on the area of rig and furrow and possibly on subsurface assets within the area of the township. This is likely to be an effect of small negligible magnitude on the rig and furrow as only a relatively low percentage of it will be damaged by the access track being built across the area. The potential impact on subsurface assets related to the farmstead within the area is unknown but

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could be up to complete removal of the asset which would be an impact of large magnitude. It is considered that without mitigation there will be between a negligible/ slight to slight/moderate level of effect on the Milton Township which is adverse but not significant in EIA terms.

10.6.4 Due to the plantation forestry covering much of the Inner Study Area a pre- application walkover survey has not been carried out for much of the construction footprint. It is therefore possible that upstanding cultural heritage assets survive unrecorded. The potential for upstanding assets is reduced as the process of planting and maturing forestry is likely to have damaged or removed such assets.

10.6.5 As much of the application area remains densely afforested, the walkover survey that was undertaken as part of this assessment was limited to clearings and areas that were easily accessible. It is therefore possible that upstanding archaeological remains may survive within more densely planted and less accessible areas of the plantation. Therefore there is potential for previously unrecorded cultural heritage assets to be affected as a result of the construction of the turbine bases, access tracks and associated infrastructure. As this resource is unknown, their sensitivity and the magnitude of the effect cannot be assessed.

10.6.6 It is considered, in this assessment, that there is moderate potential for previously unrecorded cultural heritage assets within the Inner Study Area. There is potential for previously unrecorded cultural heritage assets to be affected within this area as a result of the construction of the turbine bases, access tracks and associated infrastructure. As this resource is unknown their sensitivity and the magnitude of the effect cannot be assessed.

Indirect (operational period) effects

10.6.7 The potential for the operational phase of the proposed development to affect cultural heritage assets has been considered. Setting issues are the only operational effects of the development that have the potential to have significant effects on cultural heritage assets. The starting point for the assessment of setting effects is reference to the ZTV (as described in the Landscape and Visual Chapter 9), which is used to identify those assets where views to or from the asset may be changed by the proposed development. It should be noted that the ZTV is based on a bare earth model that does not allow for the masking effects of local topography, vegetation and buildings. It is therefore possible for assets that are within the ZTV to, in reality, have no views which include the proposed development due to local conditions. This phase of work was therefore supported by site visits.

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10.6.8 The setting of assets within the ZTV, or with relevant views to assets within the ZTV, has been defined and the spatial / visual relationship of the proposed wind farm to the asset and its setting briefly described. Where the wind farm has the potential to have effects on the setting of an asset, this has been taken forward to a detailed assessment.

Scheduled monuments with little or no visibility

10.6.9 Of the eighteen scheduled monuments within the Middle Study Area five (A30, A35, A38, A39 and A49) will not be subject to effects on their setting as there will be no intervisibility with the proposed wind farm. These five sites are listed in Table 10.8.

Table 10.8 Scheduled Monuments within the Middle Study Area with little or no intervisibility with the proposed wind farm

A. No. Name Visibility with proposed wind farm

30 Sandside House, two carved stones

Not visible. These stones have been removed from their original settings and placed against the garden wall of Sandside House. The walls block any views to or from these stones to the proposed wind farm. No third party views of these stones will be affected by the presence of the proposed wind farm.

35 Dounreay Castle Not visible. The castle is located almost wholly outwith the ZTV of the proposed wind farm. The intervening buildings of Dounreay Nuclear Plant will block any remaining views to the proposed wind farm. No views of this site will be affected by the presence of the proposed wind farm.

38 Achvarasdal House, broch Not visible. The broch is located within the Achvarasdal managed woodland, no views out in the direction of the proposed wind farm and no important views to this asset in which the proposed wind farm extension will be visible. Very unlikely this woodland will be removed during the lifespan of the wind farm as this is a community managed woodland surrounding a care home. No views of this broch will be affected by the presence of the proposed wind farm.


Not visible. The stones are located within the Achvarasdal managed woodland, no views out in the direction of the proposed wind farm and no important views to this asset in which the proposed wind farm extension will be visible. Very unlikely this woodland will be removed during the lifespan of the wind farm as this is a community managed woodland surrounding a care home. No views of these stones will be affected by the presence of the proposed wind farm.

49 Tullach Gorm broch Not visible. This broch lies outwith the ZTV of the proposed wind farm and therefore the turbines will not be visible from this asset. No views of this broch will be affected by the presence of the proposed wind farm.

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Scheduled monuments with potential for setting effects

10.6.10 Cnoc Stranger (A32) is the scheduled remains of a prehistoric cairn. It is located within a consolidated sand dune at the head of Sandside Bay to the west of Sandside Burn. The views to the north east are over Sandside Bay to the Pentland Firth with the Dounreay Nuclear Plant, visible to the east of the bay. The view to the south is over agricultural land to the village of Reay and to the west is also over fields to the woodland at Sandside House.

10.6.11 Cnoc Stranger has intrinsic value in its fabric which has the potential to add to our knowledge on funerary and ritual activity during prehistory.

10.6.12 The contextual value of this asset is in its coastal location at the head of Sandside Bay. It would appear to have been located here due to the strong visual relationship with the sea. However, the relationship between the cairn and its coastal setting is diminished in that the cairn is not readily apparent as it is within a consolidated sand dune.

10.6.13 There is no associative value to this monument. It is considered that Cnoc Stranger is a monument of low sensitivity to effects on its setting.

10.6.14 The proposed turbines will be visible 3.5km to the south east of this cairn. There is no culturally significant relationship between this cairn and the land on which the proposed wind farm will be located. Additionally there are no culturally significant views towards this cairn which will be affected by the proposed wind farm. It is considered that the proposed wind farm will not affect the setting of Cnoc Stranger.

10.6.15 Reay burial ground, old church and cross slab (A34) is the scheduled remains of Reay burial ground which contains the remains of a medieval church and a cross-slab dating from the 9-10th century. The burial ground is surrounded by a stone wall and deciduous trees; to the south of the burial ground is a modern house.

10.6.16 This monument has intrinsic value in its fabric as a data source for highland ecclesiastical and funerary practices during the medieval and post- medieval periods.

10.6.17 The contextual value of this asset lies in its relationship with the settlement of Reay. This is the community that the church and burial ground were built to serve and it is therefore the association with this community which is of importance.

10.6.18 The associative characteristics of this monument lie in the relationship between the monument and the descendants of the people who worshipped and were buried here. It is considered that Reay burial ground,

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old church and cross slab is an asset of medium sensitivity to effects on its setting.

10.6.19 The setting of this burial ground draws its importance from its relationship with the surrounding village of Reay. The nearest turbine of the proposed wind farm will be located 2.9km to the south, the views to the turbines will be largely filtered by the surrounding trees and buildings. The burial ground has no culturally significant relationship with the area on which the turbines will be located, nor will the proposed wind farm affect any significant views from the village to the burial ground. It is considered that the proposed wind farm will have no effect on the setting of Reay burial ground, old church and cross slab.

10.6.20 The scheduled monument Knock Urray (A36) is the remains of a probable Iron Age broch. It is located approximately 400m south of the Dounreay Nuclear Plant in an area of improved grazing with large pylons carrying electrical cables across this broch from the north west to the south east.

10.6.21 Knock Urray has intrinsic value in its fabric as a data source on the architecture, defensive and domestic life of the broch during the Iron Age.

10.6.22 The contextual landscape setting of this broch has been greatly diminished by its proximity to the Dounreay Nuclear Plant. Although it can still be seen that this monument has been located here due to the quality of the surrounding land and for the long views along the coastal plain and (prior to the Nuclear plant) to the Pentland Firth.

10.6.23 This monument has no associative value. This monument is considered to be of negligible sensitivity to impacts on its setting.

10.6.24 The proposed wind farm will be visible from Knock Urray 4.4km to the south. There is no culturally significant relationship between this broch and the land on which the proposed wind farm will be located. Views to this broch are largely from further in land looking towards the coast, the proposed wind farm will not be visible in these views to the broch. Additionally, the setting of Knock Urray has already been significantly altered. It is therefore considered that the proposed wind farm will not affect the setting of this broch.

10.6.25 The scheduled monument Cnoc-na-h’Uiseig, chambered cairn (A37) has been heavily disturbed by large scale construction works related to the World War II airfield built on the site. This cairn is located on the coastal plain between the Dounreay Nuclear Plant which is approximately 500m to the south west and Forss Wind Farm approximately 2km to the north east.

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10.6.26 This chambered cairn has intrinsic value as a data source on the funerary and ritual activities of the prehistoric period. This value will have been reduced due to the amount this cairn had been disturbed by the previous construction works.

10.6.27 The contextual value of this cairn lies in its relationship with the landscape built with views along the coastal plain and out to the Pentland Firth. The contextual value has been diminished by its proximity to the airfield, Nuclear Plant and Forss Wind Farm.

10.6.28 This monument has no associative value. This monument is considered to be of negligible sensitivity to effects on its setting.

10.6.29 The proposed wind farm will be visible from Cnoc-na-h’Uiseig 5.9km to the south west. At this distance the turbines will lie outwith the coastal plain and sea views which are of importance to this monument. The setting of Cnoc-na-h’Uiseig has already been significantly altered and there is no clear relationship between the cairn and the area of ground on which the wind farm will be located. Additionally there are no culturally significant views towards this cairn that will be affected by the proposed wind farm. It is considered that the proposed wind farm will not affect the setting of this cairn.

10.6.30 Achunabust Broch (A40) is the scheduled remains of an Iron Age Broch. It is located in an improved field to the immediate north west of Achnabust Farmhouse. This broch survives as substantial turf-covered earthworks. From this broch the view is over the surrounding low agricultural land with the Pentland Firth visible in the distance.

10.6.31 Achunabust Broch has intrinsic value in its fabric as a data source on the architecture, defensive and domestic life of the broch during the Iron Age.

10.6.32 The contextual value of the broch is drawn from its relationship with its surroundings on the top of a rise with long views over the surrounding flat agricultural land to the north and northwest. It appears likely that the broch would have been located in this position for the defensive value these long views would have afforded it.

10.6.33 There is no associative value to this broch. It is considered that Achunabust Broch is a monument of medium sensitivity to impacts on its setting.

10.6.34 The proposed wind farm will be visible over the hills of Creag Leathan and Creag Mhor to the south west at a distance of 2.8km to the nearest turbine. Views to this broch of importance are when approaching it from the north or south over the flat agricultural land, the proposed wind farm

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will not affect these views. The intervening hills will result in the turbines lying outwith the landscape which gives contextual value to this broch and will not affect the setting of this monument.

10.6.35 The scheduled monument – Cnoc Freiceadain, stone rows (A41) – was recorded in 1910 by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) as thirteen rows of approx 157 stones radiating generally to the east-south-east from a square of four stones. However, by the time it was recorded by the Ordnance Survey in 1969, the monument had been heavily disturbed with only 36 upright stones remaining. The stone rows lie on the lower slopes of the Hill of Shebster with views over the coastal plain to the Pentland Firth. The Dounreay Nuclear Plant somewhat dominates the view to the northwest.

10.6.36 The intrinsic value of this asset will have been greatly diminished by the level to which it has been disturbed. However, subsurface, the footings of the stones may still survive and they may be able to add to our knowledge of this site type.

10.6.37 This monument has contextual value due to the relative uniqueness of multiple rows of small standing stones to Caithness and Sutherland. These stone rows are recorded as being orientated west north west to east south east with the fan of stones widening to the south.

10.6.38 This monument has no associative value and it is considered to be of negligible sensitivity to impacts on its setting.

10.6.39 The turbines will be visible to the south west of Cnoc Freiceadain stone rows at a distance of 4.8km to the closest turbine. At this distance and not within a view direction of importance to the stone rows, the proposed wind farm will not affect the setting of the Cnoc Freiceadain stone rows.

10.6.40 The scheduled monument – Cnoc Freiceadain long cairns (A42) – comprises the remains of two long cairns positioned approximately at right angles to one another. These cairns appear to be relatively well preserved with the southern cairn being virtually intact. It is probable that these two long cairns have been built incorporating three earlier chambered cairns (Close-Brooks, 1995, 162).

10.6.41 These cairns are located on the northern summit of the Hill of Shebster, this location affords them extensive views over Caithness and on clear days across the Pentland Firth to the Orkneys.

10.6.42 The western long cairn is orientated north west to south east; to the north west the view is over the coastal plain to the Pentland Firth. The Dounreay Nuclear Plant is now a notable feature in this direction, with this cairn

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appearing almost aligned to the buildings of the plant. The view to the south east is to the rising ground of Yellow Moss where Baillie Wind Farm is currently under construction.

10.6.43 The eastern long cairn is orientated north east to south west. The view to the north east drops off the summit of the Hill of Shebster to the flat agricultural coastal plain with the Pentland Firth beyond. The view to the south west is along the summit of the Hill of Shebster towards the Hill of Shebster chambered cairn (A43).

10.6.44 The Cnoc Freiceadain long cairns’ intrinsic value is in their fabric. These well preserved cairns have the potential to add to our knowledge of the funerary and ritual activity of the prehistoric period in Caithness.

10.6.45 The contextual value of these cairns lies in their clear relationship with the surrounding landscape. They have been located on the Hill of Shebster to make use of the wide views over the coastal plain to the Pentland Firth and Orkney beyond.

10.6.46 This monument has associative value in its visual relationship with the Hill of Shebster chambered cairn (A43). Although these cairns may not have been contemporary, they would have been recognisable and show a continued use of this hill for funerary and ritual practices during prehistory. It is considered that this is an asset of medium sensitivity to effects on its setting.

10.6.47 The closest turbine of the proposed wind farm is located 4.4km to the south west of this cairn. At this distance, the wind farm will not change the prominence of the Cnoc Freiceadain long cairns’ in skyline views to these assets. The turbines will lie outwith the key views from this monument which are largely over the coastal plain through to the west, north and north east. It is concluded that the wind farm will have an effect of negligible magnitude on the setting of the Cnoc Freiceadain long cairns.

10.6.48 It is considered that there will be a negligible level of effect that is adverse but not significant in EIA terms on the setting of Cnoc Freiceadain long cairns.

10.6.49 The Hill of Shebster, chambered cairn (A43) is the scheduled remains of a heavily robbed Neolithic round cairn. This cairn is located in a field on the southern plateau summit of the Hill of Shebster. This location affords the cairn views over the flat agricultural land to the west with the rising hills of Sutherland beyond. To the northwest the view is over the coastal plain to the Pentland Firth and the Orkney Islands visible in the distance on clear days; the Dounreay Nuclear Plant is now also a notable feature in this direction. To the north the view is along the rise of the Hill of Shebster

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with the Cnoc Freiceadain long cairns (A42) visible on the summit. To the south the view is restricted to the top of the Hill of Shebster with only hills of a similar height or higher visible beyond.

10.6.50 The Hill of Shebster chambered cairn has intrinsic value in its fabric which has the potential to add to our knowledge of the funerary and ritual activity of the prehistoric period in Caithness. This value will be diminished by the level to which this cairn has previously been robbed.

10.6.51 The contextual value of this asset lies in its relationship with its surroundings, in particular that it was built on the top of a hill with wide views over the coastal plain to the Pentland Firth and Orkney beyond.

10.6.52 This monument has associative value in its visual relationship with the Cnoc Freiceadain long cairns (A42); although these cairns may not have been contemporary with the chambered cairn they would have been recognisable and show a continued use of this hill for funerary and ritual practices during prehistory. It is considered that this is an asset of medium sensitivity to effects on its setting

10.6.53 The closest turbine of the proposed wind farm is located 3.8km to the south west of this cairn. At this distance they will not change the prominence of Shebster Hill chambered cairn in skyline views to the cairn. The turbines will lie outwith the key views from this monument which are to the north and west. It is concluded that the wind farm will have an effect of negligible magnitude on the setting of the Hill of Shebster chambered cairn.

10.6.54 It is considered that there will be a negligible level of effect that is adverse but not significant in EIA terms on the setting of The Hill of Shebster chambered cairn.

10.6.55 The scheduled monument Clach Clais an Tuirc standing stone (A44) is a large standing stone which is approximately 1.9m high. It is located to the east of Achvarasdal Burn in an area of heather moorland surrounded on all sides by plantation forestry. To the immediate north of the standing stone is a circular dry-stone sheepfold. The view to the south west, although somewhat limited by the plantation forestry, is along the course of the Achvarasdal Burn between the hills of Creag Leathan and Creag Mhor.

10.6.56 Clach Clais an Tuirc holds intrinsic value in that the footing of the standing stone may reveal information on the way in which the stone was erected and may also reveal information on the people that erected it through artefacts deposited or lost in the footing. This stone has contextual value in its relationship with the wider landscape. At present the understanding

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of this setting is diminished by the surrounding plantation forestry. This standing stone has no apparent associative value. Clach Clais an Tuirc is considered to be a monument of medium sensitivity to effects on its setting.

10.6.57 The closet turbine of the proposed wind farm will be located 1.4km to the south west of Clach Clais an Tuirc. The turbines will be largely blocked from view by the Creag Leathan and Creag Mhor hills.

10.6.58 The ZTV indicates that up to 15 turbines will be visible. However, these will largely be screened from view by the Creag Leathan and Creag Mhor hills, and the plantation forestry – although not necessarily present for the lifetime of the wind farm – will initially partly screen the turbines. The presence of the turbines will not affect the contribution of the surroundings to the understanding of the stone’s contextual relationship with the landscape. While the standing stone may have some sense of place, the effect of the turbines will be greatly minimised by the surrounding commercial forestry plantation, the topographic separation from the intervening hills and the distance from the turbines. When the plantation forestry is felled the effect of the turbines will still be minimised by the topographic separation and the distance from the turbines. Consequently, the effect on the sense of place is given little weight and it is concluded that the impact will be of small magnitude on the setting of Clach Clais an Tuirc standing stone. This will be a slight level of effect on the setting of Clach an Tuirc that is adverse but not significant in EIA terms.

10.6.59 The scheduled monument the Bridge of Broubster stone circle (A45) is the remains of a stone circle. It comprises five upstanding stones, the largest of which is approximately 1.3m high while the remaining stones are on average 0.5m high. In addition to the upstanding stones there are a number of outlying stones which may have formerly been upright and part of the stone circle. It is located in an area of peat moorland on the eastern slopes of the wide strath of Forss Water.

10.6.60 This monument has intrinsic value in its subsurface remains as a data source on the ritual activities of the prehistoric period in this area.

10.6.61 The stone circle has contextual value in its position in the landscape overlooking the strath of Forss Water.

10.6.62 This monument has no associative value. It is considered that this is a monument of medium sensitivity to impacts on its setting.

10.6.63 The proposed wind farm will be visible beyond the hills of Cnoc na Claise Brice and Broubster Hill to the west, the nearest turbine will be at a distance of 5.2km from the stone circle. It is considered that the proposed

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wind farm will lie outwith the landscape that is of importance to the setting of this stone circle ie the views over the Strath of the Forss Water. Additionally the proposed wind farm will not be located in culturally significant views to the stone circle. It is considered that the proposed wind farm will not have an effect on the setting of the Bridge of Broubster stone circle.

10.6.64 The scheduled monument Carn Liath Cairn (A46) is the ruined remains of a possible Neolithic chambered cairn. It survives as a large mound of stones measuring 32m by 18m and up to 2m high. The mound is surrounded by 14 upright slabs. However, these do not create a recognisable structure or kerb.

10.6.65 Carn Liath Cairn is not located in a prominent position. It is located in an area of grass moorland with Forss Water passing the cairn to the immediate west. As the area is relatively tussocky moorland, the cairn is not visible in the wider landscape and there are no identifiable culturally significant views to this asset. The mound and the upright stones are only appreciable at a short distance from the cairn.

10.6.66 This monument is of national importance due to the intrinsic value of its fabric which may preserve interior structures and deposits. The fabric of this cairn has the potential to contain information that will improve our knowledge of prehistoric ritual and funerary practices and architecture.

10.6.67 The contextual value of this cairn is not clear as there are no readily identifiable landscape features that it may be aligned with; nor are there any contemporary cairns with which it has obvious sightlines. The location of this cairn suggests that it was located for proximity to the Forss Water and therefore that the key views are those along this watercourse. This cairn has no associative value. It is considered to be of low sensitivity to effects on its setting.

10.6.68 According to the ZTV, 11-15 turbines will be visible approximately 5.1km to the northwest. The turbines will be located outwith the valley of Forss Water and at present would be beyond the plantation forestry. There is no apparent culturally significant relationships between this cairn and the land on which the proposed wind farm will be located. It is considered that the proposed wind farm will not have an effect on the setting of Carn Liath Cairn.

10.6.69 The scheduled monument Tota an Dranndain broch (A47) is the remains of an Iron Age broch together with the remains of associated structures and outer defences. The broch survives now as a large circular turf and stone earthwork approximately 17m in diameter and 1.5m high.

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Tota an Dranndain is located approximately 170m to the west of the Forss Water. The farmstead of Torr a’ Bhathaich has been built to its west and to its south and a drystone wall has been built to the immediate south of the broch. The building of the farmstead and field walls in such proximity to the Broch have somewhat diminished its presence in the landscape.

10.6.70 The location of the broch would have commanded views north to south along the valley of the Forss Water. Views to the broch of importance would be those looking along the valley towards it from the north or south.

10.6.71 Tota an Dranndain broch has intrinsic value in its fabric as a data source on the architecture, defensive and domestic life of the broch during the Iron Age.

10.6.72 The contextual value of Tota an Dranndain is visible in that it would have been afforded long views north to south along the Strath of Forss Water which would have added to the defensive properties of its location. The contextual value has been diminished by the proximity of the field walls to the broch.

10.6.73 This monument has no associative value. It is considered that Tota an Dranndain is of low sensitivity to impacts on its setting.

10.6.74 The ZTV suggests that between 11 and 15 of the turbines will be visible to the north west from Tota an Dranndain Broch at a distance of 5km to the nearest turbine. The turbines will be located outwith the valley of Forss Water and at present would be beyond the plantation forestry. There are no apparent culturally significant relationships between this cairn and the land on which the proposed wind farm will be located. Additionally the proposed wind farm will lie out with views of importance towards this asset. It is considered that the proposed wind farm will not affect the setting of Tota an Dranndain Broch.

10.6.75 Creagan a’ Bheannaich, chapel and graveyard (A48) are the scheduled remains of a possible early ecclesiastical site. This survives as a grass-covered stony mound, believed to be an early Christian site. This is based on local tradition and the presence of a cross-incised stone which was found incorporated in a nearby stone dyke. This stone (A30) is now located in the grounds of Sandside House.

10.6.76 Creagan a’ Bheannaich has intrinsic value in its fabric, which has the potential to add to our knowledge of early ecclesiastical activity in Caithness and to resolve the debate as to the nature and date of this asset.

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10.6.77 This asset is of limited contextual value as it is not recognisable from any distance and even in its immediate vicinity it is not readily appreciable as an archaeological asset. There are no third party views to this monument. Considered as a chapel and graveyard it can be presumed that this asset was built to serve the surrounding community of the strath of Forss Water. Due to the diminished nature of Creagan a’ Bheannaich and the confusion as to the nature of this asset, it is considered to be of low sensitivity to negative effects on its setting.

10.6.78 Between 11 and 15 of the proposed turbines will be visible at a distance of 5.3km to the northwest from Creagan a’ Bheannaich. The turbines will be located outwith the valley of Forss Water and at present would be beyond the plantation forestry. There are no culturally significant relationships between this asset and the land on which the proposed wind farm will be located. It is considered that the proposed wind farm will not affect the setting of Creagan a’ Bheannaich.

Listed buildings

10.6.79 There are three Category A listed buildings within 5km of the proposed wind farm. The possible effect of the proposed wind farm on their setting is laid out below. The Category B and C(S) listed buildings in the Middle Area have been considered for potential effects on their setting but none has been identified and therefore these categories of buildings have not been considered further. The exception to this is the Category B buildings; Sandside House, the NW and the SE walled gardens, the privy and the dovecot. As these buildings form a complex along with the Category A Sandside House Kiln Barn and Single Storey Range of former Byres, Cottage and Dairy and Implement Shed (A29) they have been assessed together.

10.6.80 Sandside House Kiln Barn and Single Storey Range of former Byres, Cottage and Dairy and Implement Shed (A29) are Category A listed while Sandside House, the NW and the SE walled gardens, the privy and the dovecot are Category B listed. These buildings form a complex on top of a small hill to the west of Reay and Sandside Harbour. Views from these buildings towards the proposed wind farm are blocked by the garden wall and deciduous woodland to the south. There are no directed views from these buildings towards the area of the proposed wind farm. Nor are there any views to these buildings which will be affected by the proposed wind farm. It is considered that the proposed wind farm will not affect the setting of Sandside House Kiln Barn and associated buildings.

10.6.81 The Category A listed building Sandside Harbour (A31) was built for trade and fishing circa 1830. This is a simple rectangular basin design with

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associated buildings. The intrinsic value of this monument lies in its fabric as a well-preserved example of an early 19th century harbour and its associated buildings. The harbour and buildings are all orientated to the east towards Sandside Bay and the sea. The contextual value lies in this relationship between the buildings and its surroundings; primarily this is the view to the sea. There are no significant views in other directions from this asset. Although the relationship with the sea is still readily apparent, the harbour entrance almost directly faces Dounreay Nuclear Power Station, 1.9km to the east. This asset has no associative aesthetic values. Sandside Harbour is considered to be of low sensitivity to effects on its setting.

10.6.82 The ZTV suggests that the proposed wind farm will be fully visible 4.4km to the south east of Sandside Harbour. However, the harbour buildings do not face in the direction of the proposed wind farm and the harbour has no relationship with the area of ground on which the turbines are located. It is therefore considered that the proposed wind farm will have no effect on the setting of Sandside Harbour.

10.6.83 Reay Parish Church and enclosure wall (A33) is a Category A listed building. It was built in 1739 and altered in 1933. This church remains in ecclesiastical use as Reay Parish Church. The church is located to the north of the A836, the main north coast road, halfway between the two concentrations of housing in Reay.

10.6.84 The intrinsic value of this church lies in the potential its fabric holds on the architecture of 18th century ecclesiastical structures. The church has associative value through its relationship with the community of Reay and the continuity it provides as a place of worship for generations of parishioners. It has associative value and aesthetic attributes as an immediately recognisable large white building in a landscape of relatively low buildings.

10.6.85 The proposed wind farm will be visible 3km to the south of Reay Parish Church. Lying outwith views of the church from the A836 and the village of Reay. The proposed wind farm will not be in views of cultural significance to Reay Parish Church and will not impact on its setting.

Non-statutory register sites

10.6.86 With regard to the non-designated assets within the Inner Study Area, it is considered that the Aryleive Limekiln (A23), the possibly associated building (A22) and the quarry pit which lies between them should be considered for operational effects on their setting. Given their proximity to one another, it seems probable that the Aryleive limekiln, the building and

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the quarry are all contemporary. They probably date from the agricultural improvement period of the 19th century and were certainly present by the time that the First Edition Ordnance Survey Map was surveyed in 1872. This limekiln is likely to have been used largely in the processing of lime for agricultural use as soil fertiliser. It is possible that the lime processed here was also put to construction use such as mortar, plastering and whitewashing as was the lime from other Highland Limekilns (Brown 1996, 11). Limekilns are found throughout the Highlands and are a key feature of the agricultural improvement period of the 19th century.

10.6.87 Although the limekiln and structures will be located within the wind farm, care has been taken to retain them as a unit and no turbines or infrastructure will be located within the clearing in which they are situated. The limekiln will retain its spatial relationship with the probably contemporary building and quarry and the local setting of these monuments will not be affected.

Table 10.9 Potential receptors of indirect effects

Receptor Sensitivity of heritage asset to effects on its setting

Magnitude of effect

Cnoc Freiceadain long cairns (A42) Medium Negligible

The Hill of Shebster, chambered cairn (A43)

Medium Negligible

Clach Clais an Tuirc standing stone (A44)

Medium Small

Direct and indirect effects during decommissioning

10.6.88 There will be no direct effects on cultural heritage during decommissioning. The mitigation put in place during the construction phase will remove the potential for effects during decommissioning.

10.6.89 There are no indirect effects on cultural heritage during decommissioning

10.7 Mitigation and enhancement measures

Construction

10.7.1 A small section of the Claperon Dyke (A10) will be removed during the construction of the access tracks. This will be an adverse effect of negligible level. As such no mitigation is proposed for this effect and it will

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remain a negligible level of effect that is adverse but not significant in EIA terms.

10.7.2 The access track will be built through the Milton Township and associated rig and furrow (A28). This will result in an adverse effect between a level of negligible/slight and slight/moderate. To mitigate the potential for accidental impacts on upstanding assets of the township these features will be fenced off prior to construction commencing and contractors informed not to enter these areas. This will remove the potential for damage to upstanding cultural heritage assets.

10.7.3 To mitigate the potential for damage or removal of subsurface assets related to the township during the construction period an appropriate programme of archaeological works will be put in place. This will be agreed with the Highland Council Historic Environment Team in advance of construction.

10.7.4 Due to the plantation forestry covering much of the Inner Study Area, a pre-application walkover survey has not been carried out for much of the construction footprint. There is potential for previously unrecorded upstanding cultural heritage assets to be subject to construction impacts. A post-felling walkover survey of the construction footprint will be carried out prior to construction during which any previously unrecorded upstanding cultural heritage assets identified, will be recorded. Any construction effects on the cultural heritage assets recorded during the post-felling walkover survey will be mitigated through an appropriate programme of archaeological works to be approved by the Highland Council Historic Environment Team.

10.7.5 The potential for previously unrecorded assets in the Inner Study Area is moderate. The likelihood of previously unrecorded assets lying within the construction footprint, and hence being affected by groundworks, is likewise considered to be moderate. Any construction effects upon previously unrecorded cultural heritage assets will be mitigated through a programme of archaeological works, to be approved by the Highland Council Historic Environment Team. This programme will allow for features to be recorded appropriately and is likely to comprise a watching brief on ground-breaking works with further work being undertaken as appropriate.

Operation

10.7.6 No significant operational effects are predicted on the setting of cultural heritage assets from the operation of the proposed wind farm. No mitigation is therefore required.

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Decommissioning

10.7.7 No direct decommissioning impacts are predicted for cultural heritage assets within the Inner Study Area.

10.8 Assessment of residual effects

10.8.1 Following mitigation there will be residual construction effects of a negligible adverse level on the Milton township (A28). This level of effect is adverse but not significant in EIA terms.

10.8.2 Following mitigation there will be no residual construction effects on any other cultural heritage assets.

10.8.3 Potential operational effects have been identified for three cultural heritage assets (A42, A43 & A44). As no mitigation for operational effects is proposed these effects will remain. The residual operational effects are of no greater than a slight level of effect that is adverse but not significant in EIA terms.

Table 10.10 Summary of significance of residual effects

Receptor Type of effect

Sensitivity of Asset

Magnitude of change

Level of effect and significance

Predicted residual effect

Claperon Dyke (A10) Direct Construction

Negligible Small Negligible None

Milton Township (A28) upstanding remains

Direct Construction

Low Medium Slight None

Milton Township (A28) subsurface remains

Direct Construction

Low Up to Large Up to Moderate

Negligible

Previously unrecorded assets Direct Construction

Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown

Cnoc Freiceadain long cairns (A42) Indirect setting

Medium Negligible Negligible Negligible

The Hill of Shebster, chambered cairn (A43)

Indirect setting

Medium Negligible Negligible Negligible

Clach Clais an Tuirc standing stone (A44)

Indirect setting

Medium Small Slight Slight

10.9 References

Ordnance Survey, 1877, Caithness Sheet X, 1:10560 (surveyed 1872)

Ordnance Survey, 1877, Caithness Sheet XVI, 1:10560 (surveyed 1872)

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Ordnance Survey, 1905, Caithness Sheet X, 1:10560 (surveyed 1907)

Ordnance Survey, 1905, Caithness Sheet XVI, 1:10560 (surveyed 1907)

Brown N. A, 1996, The Ruins of Craibstone Limekilns, Deskford, Scottish Vernacular Buildings Working Group, Regional and thematic studies, no. 4

Close-Brooks J, 1995, The Highlands, Exploring Scotland’s Heritage, The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.

Historic Scotland, 2009, Scottish Historic Environment Policy

Historic Scotland, 2010, Managing Change in the Historic Environment; Setting

Historic Scotland, 2011, Scottish Historic Environment Policy Annex 1

Lambrick G, 2008, Setting Standards: A Review, unpublished report by the IFA Working Group on Setting

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Appendix 10.A Cultural Heritage Assets in the Inner Study Area

Asset No

Name Site Type Description SMR No NGR

1 Helshetter Farmstead One rectangular building with two compartments and an enclosures

MHG25104 297100, 963220

2 Reay Burn Dyke

Boundary Dyke

A large boundary dyke lies on the west side of the Reay Burn (walkover)

N/A 297000, 963070

3 Borag Knowe Clearance Cairn

Clearance Cairns

Two clearance cairns in an area of grass in an otherwise heather moorland (walkover)

N/A 297140, 963085

4 Enclosure, Reay Burn

Enclosure A sub rectangular enclosure which has been cut through by an old turf dyke, probably an early modern stock-pen

MHG740 297160, 963010

5 Enclosure, Claperon

Hut Circle and Enclosure

A hut circle within a field enclosure. The hut is turf-covered and overgrown with bracken it measures 10.5m by 9.5m within a wall spread to max 2m

MHG39416, MHG739

297250, 962950

6 Claperon clearance cairn

Clearance Cairn

Possible clearance cairn at the edge of the forestry unclear without further investigation whether this is of antiquity, related to the planting of the forestry or even natural

N/A 297245, 962875

7 Burnt Mound, Borag Knowe

Burnt Mound

A crescent shaped burnt mound 9m across and 0.5m high

MHG1616 297300, 963020

8 Borag Knowe

Farmstead Possible farmstead comprising one unroofed building with adjoining enclosure is shown on 1st edition OS (1877)

MHG17821 297360, 963090

9 Hut circle, Borag Knowe

Hut Circle Large enclosure surrounding what appears to be a very disturbed cairn and a hut circle 9.5m in diameter

MHG738, MHG39408, MHG39409, MHG39410

297500, 962900

10 Claperon Dyke

Stone Dyke

Remains of a stone dyke at the base of Claperon Hillock on the edge of the forestry, possibly the remains of plantation bank may be earlier - or even clearance from the planting of the forest (walkover)

N/A 297455, 962640

11 Stone Rows, Borlum

Stone Alignment

Approximately 52 small stones sat in about 8 fan-shaped rows converge towards a small mound of stones at the narrow end of the fan and some 12.5m distant

MHG19431 297700, 963400

12 Possible Scooped settlement, Creag Leathan

Scooped Settlement

Possible scooped settlement MHG724 298050, 963150

13 Scooped Settlement, Creag Leathan

Scooped Settlement

Possible scooped settlement MHG2465 298150, 963000

Asset No


14 Creag Leathan

Hut Circle Settlement

Four hut circles three are c7m in diameter one is 4m in diameter a scatter of mounds on the hill slope N of the huts indicates associated field clearance.

MHG1604, MHG41880

298200, 963300

15 Platform, Creag Leathan

Platform Possible platform MHG2469 298300, 963200

16 Possible Cairn, Broch or Homestead, Creag Leathan

Broch, Cairn

Possible broch or mutilated cairn. It survives as an amorphous stony mound overgrown with turf and bracken. It measures 27m in diameter and 1.8m high. The surface is disturbed with later structures and a rectangular building. It is enclosed by a wall and attached to this are the traces of two possible hut circles.

MHG710 298450, 963360

17 Hut Circle, Creag Leathan

Hut Circle A hut circle, 7.5m in diameter within a turf and heather covered wall varying from 1.2m to 1.5m wide and up to 0.4m high

MHG1605 298460, 963240

18 Achrasker Burnt Mound, Cairn

A possible burnt mound found during pre-afforestation survey it comprises two oval mounds set side by side with a sheltered hollow between

MHG39688 298900, 963500

19 Achrasker Structure Rectilinear grass covered structure with four course of drystone walling visible

MHG19442 298900, 963500

20 Hut Circle, Achvarasdal Burn

Hut Circle A hut circle 8.5m by 6.5m within a wall the hut circle is peat covered, 30m to the west of the hut circle is a curving course of intermittent stones protruding from the peat and indicating an associated wall.

MHG1613 298920, 963230

21 Creag Bheag

Settlement Unroofed building and enclosure depicted on the 1st edition OS (1877)

MHG13444 298680, 962680

22 Aryleive Building One roofed and one unroofed building which may be associated with limekiln are shown on the 1st edition of the Ordnance Survey (1877) field survey from 2003 reported house with L shaped structures on N and S sides

MHG17819 298920, 960880

23 Aryleive Moss

Lime Kiln Limekiln depicted on the 1st edition ordnance survey (1877) this limekiln still stands within a clearing in the forestry

MHG22039, MHG13442

299000, 960880

24 Aryleive Farmstead A farmstead comprising two unroofed buildings is depicted on First Edition Ordnance Survey map (1877)

MHG13443, MHG16111

299020, 960590

25 Aryleive Building A single unroofed building is shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map (1877)

MHG16110 299440, 960450

Asset No


26 Esuarasdale Farmstead A farmstead of four unroofed buildings and a head dyke is shown on first edition Ordnance Survey (1877)

MHG13436 299500, 959800

27 Cnoc Na Claise Brice

Settlement Remains of two small buildings visible during walkover (2012) possibly associated structures in the surrounding plantation forestry

MHG13437 299310, 958840

28 Milton Township A township comprising 9 roofed buildings, 6 of which are long buildings, two partially roofed long buildings and two unroofed buildings, one of which is a long building, is depicted on the First Edition Ordnance Survey map (187), 7 roofed and eight unroofed buildings are shown on OS map of 1987

MHG13449, MHG17820

297640, 964090

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Appendix 10.B Scheduled Monuments and Listed Buildings in the Middle Study Area

Limekiln Wind Farm


Asset No

Name Type Description Status Reference NGR

29 Sandside House Kiln Barn and single storey range of former Byres, Cottage and dairy, and implement shed

Kiln Barn Kiln Barn probably mid 18th century and associated byres, cottage, dairy and implement shed

Category A Listed Building

LB14986 295216, 965234

30 Sandside House, Reay, two carved stones

Two carved stones

This monument consists of two carved stones of early historic date, the more easterly stone is incised with Pictish symbols and is categorized as a Class I symbol stone, the second stone is incised with a small circle/orb and an equal armed cross

Scheduled Monument

SM616 295210, 965175

31 Sandside Harbour 1 and 2, Sandside and Fishing Store

Harbour Harbour c1830, rectangular basin, pair of 2-storey and attic dwellings and a 2 storey fishing store


LB14988 295762, 965990

32 Knock Stanger, cairn

cairn Mound 4m in height and c18m diameter with possibly a circle of small stones set on edge around its base this may have been a more recent attempt at consolidating the turf and sand covered mound - some suggestion that this is simply a consolidated sand dune

Scheduled Monument

SM458 295994, 965240

33 Reay Parish Church and Enclosure Wall

1739 parish church with alteration in 1933


LB14992 296733, 964822

34 Reay, burial ground, old church and cross slab

burial ground, church, cross slab

Burial ground which incorporates the remains of a medieval church and contains a cross slab dating from the late 9th or the 10th century.

Scheduled Monument and Category B Listed Building

SM615 LB14980

296908, 964819

Asset No


35 Dounreay Castle

Castle Remains of a castle probably dating to second half of 16th century. The castle is built on a L-plan. This is a relatively well preserved remains of a late 16th century castle and is similar in style to Lowland castles rather than those typical to the high

Scheduled Monument

SM6401 298314, 966945

36 Knock Urray, broch

broch The possible remains of a broch survive as a turf covered mound the mound is approx 16m in diameter by 3m high and is located on top of another mound c26m in diameter

Scheduled Monument

SM564 298383, 966304

37 Cnoc-na-h'Uiseig, chambered cairn

chambered cairn

A chambered cairn which survives as a grassy mound but which has been damaged by large-scale construction work.

Scheduled Monument

SM444 299680, 967731

38 Achvarasdal House, broch

broch Remains of a broch covered by a large grassy mound with an interior wall standing 1.7m high and measuring 10m in internal diameter. The interior of the broch has been excavated

Scheduled Monument

SM514 298350, 964693


two stones Two long stones appear to have been standing stones at one time

Scheduled Monument

SM421 298336, 964725

40 Achunabust, broch

broch The remains of a broch survive as a turf covered mound 1.3m high, however this broch has been extensively quarried so the broch shape is destroyed

Scheduled Monument

SM513 299432, 964637

Asset No


41 Cnoc Freiceadain, stone rows

Stone rows The stone rows have been considerably obscured by peat and heather growth since first recorded by RCAHMS in 1911, at that time 13 rows of stones appeared to radiate to ESE from a group of four stones.

Scheduled Monument

SM2386 301161, 965960

42 Cnoc Freiceadain, long cairns

Long Cairn Chambered cairn c65m long in two horns

Scheduled Monument

SM90078 301286, 965375

43 Hill of Shebster, chambered cairn

Chambered Cairn

The turf covered remains of a chambered cairn, c26m diameter and max 1.6m high, and excavation trench has cut the NE of the cairn

Scheduled Monument

SM476 301180, 964630

44 Clach Clais an Tuire, standing stone

standing stone

Standing stone 6ft 2ins high, 2ft 11ins to 3ft 6ins broad and 2ft thick. It faces E-W

Scheduled Monument

SM441 299160, 963166

45 Bridge of Broubster, stone circle

stone circle A circle of small upright stones, dating from the Neolithic or Bronze Age

Scheduled Monument

SM427 304521, 959927

46 Carn Liath, cairn

cairn A prehistoric burial cairn c 32m by 18m and 2m tall, possibly a chambered tomb of the Neolithic

Scheduled Monument

SM437 303907, 958215

47 Tota an Dranndain, broch

broch Remains of a broch of Iron Age date, it survives as a large grass covered mound, its diameter is 17m and is 1.5m high.

Scheduled Monument

SM492 303755, 957922

48 Creagan a'Bheannaich, chapel and graveyard

Possible Church and Graveyard

Possible remains of an early chapel and graveyard however all that remains is a mound it cannot be clear without further investigation whether this is the remains of a prehistoric cairn/homestead or the location of an early church and

Scheduled Monument

SM2660 30482, 957834

Asset No


graveyard

49 Tulach Gorm, broch

broch Possible broch although the remains are relatively amorphous shape

Scheduled Monument

SM495 304188, 957104

N/A Sandside House, Garden Walls, 2 Walled Gardens, Dovecote And Privy

The garden walls, two walled gardens, dovecote and privy of Sandside House

Category B Listed Building

LB14985

295127, 965211N/A Shebster

Barn Barn Early to mid 19th

century barn with graded Caithness slate roof

Category C(S) Listed Building

LB17593

301749, 964148N/A Reayburn

House House Early to mid 19th

century range of 3 houses Caithness slate roofs


LB17592

296988, 964930N/A Upper

Dounreay Farm Steading

Steading Circa 1840-50 large open square steading range, graded Caithness roof of varying heights


LB14989

299820, 965985N/A Brackside

Bridge Over Brackside-Sandside Burn

Bridge Early – mid 19th century twin arch bridge


LB14981

295728, 964615N/A Sandside

House House House, the early

east facing section dates to 1751, was extended in the earlier to mid 19th century


LB14984

295215, 965155N/A Reay Village

Market Cross Adjacent To The Terrace New Reay

Market Cross

16th or 17th century market cross


LB18831

295900, 964553N/A Sandside

House Gate Lodge And Gate Piers

Gate Lodge and Gate Piers

Gate lodge and gate piers of Sandside House


LB14987

295083, 964629N/A Reay

Village,Smithy Cottage And Steading Range (Former

Smithy Cottage

Early to mid 19th century single range of cottages


LB14982

295629, 964567

Asset No


Dwellings At Right Angles)

N/A Reay Free Church, Enclosing Walls To Frontage And Memorial Sited Therein

Reay Free Church

Double aisle church built 1844


LB14983

302440, 964039

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A26

A21

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Figure 10.1:Cultural Heritage Assets in the Inner Study Area

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Sites and Monuments Record information derived from Highland Council data dated 12.11.10 © Copyright (Highland Council)

Limekiln Wind FarmEnvironmental Statement

Reproduced using digital 1:25,000 data supplied by INFINERGYwith the permission of the Controller of HMSO. © Crown copyright.

Key

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Access track

Crane pad

Control building

Cultural heritage asset

Cultural heritage asset linear

Area of rig and furrow

Area related to lime kiln (A23)

Inner study area

September 2012

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A48

A41

A30

A36

A32

A37

A34

A38

A40

A44

A39

A49

A47

A45

A43

A42

A35

A46

A33

A31

A29

287500 290000 292500 295000 297500 300000 302500 305000 307500

9525

0095

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9575

0096

0000

9625

0096

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9675

0097

0000

Figure 10.2:Designated Cultural Heritage Assetsin the Middle Study Area

±

0 4 Km

Scheduled monument area information derived from Historic Scotland data dated 27.05.11© Crown Copyright (Historic Scotland)

Listed Building data provided by Historic Scotland dated 27.05.11 © Crown Copyright (Historic Scotland)

Reproduced using digital 1:50,000 data supplied by INFINERGYwith the permission of the Controller of HMSO. © Crown copyright.

Key

Scheduled Monument

E Category A listed building

E Category B listed building

E Category C(S) listed building

Inner Study Area

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Middle Study Area

No. of Visible Turbines

1 - 5

6 - 10

11 - 15

16 - 20

21 - 24

Limekiln Wind FarmEnvironmental Statement

June 2012

limekiln wind farm - the highland council · 2018. 6. 22. · limekiln wind farm, based on...

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