Headland Archaeology

Headland Archaeology is a commercial archaeology contractor and cultural heritage consultancy serving infrastructure, construction and development projects across the UK and Ireland. Established in Edinburgh in 1996, it provides commercially focused archaeological and heritage services from early planning and risk assessment through fieldwork, analysis and publication.

The company works across the development lifecycle, combining heritage consultancy with archaeological contracting. Its work includes desk-based assessments and environmental impact assessment, geophysical survey, trial trenching, excavation, watching briefs, post-excavation analysis, geoarchaeology, palaeoenvironmental assessment, historic-building recording, GIS mapping and archaeological illustration. It also undertakes public engagement through open days, workshops, volunteer activity and interpretive work.

Infrastructure-focused delivery

Headland acts as a Principal Contractor on complex infrastructure frameworks and supports clients in transport, renewable energy, utilities, property, extractive industries, aerospace and defence. Its experience includes route-corridor selection, mitigation strategy, field evaluation, large-scale excavation, laboratory analysis and technical reporting.

Notable project work includes the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme, HS2 enabling and post-excavation work, the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, the A47 Wansford to Sutton Dualling Scheme, Coire Glas Pumped Hydro Scheme, Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas offshore wind projects, and archaeological assessment for Spaceport 1 in North Uist.

Company development

Following a 2008 restructuring, UK operations have traded through Headland Archaeology (UK) Limited. The business expanded through the 2010 acquisition of Archaeological Investigations Ltd in Hereford, the opening of its South & East branch in 2011, and the establishment of a Yorkshire and North base in 2015.

Headland joined RSK Group in 2019 and operates as a specialist subsidiary within the group's Environment and Planning division while retaining its own trading identity, management and professional registration. It is a Registered Archaeological Organisation with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists and holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001 and ISO 45001 certifications.