If you are a Farmer
Scottish Rural Development Schemes
The Archaeology Service examines all SRDP applications within Aberdeenshire, Moray and Angus council areas that require an archaeological input.
The scheme is designed to encourage farmers, crofters and common grazing committees to adopt environmentally friendly practices and to maintain and enhance particular habitats and landscape features such as archaeological sites.
The management of sites must be agreed in advance and may include:
- controls over grazing
- the cutting and removal of trees, scrub and woody plants
- the repair of erosion damage
- the establishment of unploughed buffer zones
- the realignment of fences or tracks
- re-siting of hard standings or feeding sites
For areas containing archaeological sites revealed only by crop marks, the site with a minimum 10 metre buffer zone beyond the visible remains must be taken out of cropping and sown to grass. The management of the site must be agreed in advance. When establishing the sward, the ploughing depth must not exceed 100 mm.
Scottish Executive Guidance
Full text on the guidelines on SRDP issued by the Scottish Executive.
The Archaeology Scotland has also produced a series of Archaeology & Farming Advice Notes
Consultation
When the Archaeology Service is consulted over a SRDP we:
- carry out a search of all known sites within the scheme's boundary
- check and record the 1867 and1888 OS maps for sites including old farmsteads
- check and record new sites from our vertical aerial photograph collection
- where necessary visit in person the scheme on the ground
Contact
For further information and queries please contact archaeology@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
