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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
This report is one of several similar studies that have been produced to investigate and
characterise the state of coastal erosion and the threat this poses to cultural heritage
sites along the coastline of Scotland. The results presented here are based on the
results of a Coastal Zone Assessment Survey carried out in October 2006 on North
Uist by CFA Archaeology Ltd. The study area (Fig. 1) comprised the accessible parts
of the east coast, from the Berneray causeway to Srom Bàn and the south side of Loch
Euphort. A desk-based assessment was carried out by GUARD in March 2006
(Sneddon 2006; excluding Loch Euphort) and provided to CFA for use and
verification in the field.
This follows on from CFA’s survey of the west coast of North Uist (Johnson et al
2005). In mid January 2005, fierce storms hit the west coast of Scotland. In response
to concerns expressed about damage to archaeological sites, CFA surveyed the west
coast of North Uist in February 2005 on behalf of The SCAPE Trust. In order to
complete the survey, parts of the east coast of the island (excluding offshore islets and
islands) have also now been surveyed.
1.2 Project aims
The aim of the survey was to audit the condition and number of coastal sites in order
to help the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar archaeologist devise a strategy for monument
management. The work has increased knowledge concerning the coastal
archaeological sites of North Uist and has identified those sites that are at risk, either
presently or potentially in the future, from erosion.
A second aim was to report on the strengths and weaknesses of splitting the Coastal
Zone Assessment Survey into two parts, including a review of how effective the deskbased
assessment was at identifying priority areas.
1.3 Acknowledgements
Tom Dawson (SCAPE) is thanked for providing advice and support during all stages
of the survey. The desk-based assessment (excluding Loch Euphort) was conducted
by GUARD.
UISN2/1262/0
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CFA