A Catalogue of Star Objects

Sharon Webb Joanne Howdle Angus Martin Roger Anderton Introduction

This catalogue has been produced Museums and Libraries Association to illustrate some of the more Accreditation Scheme with the important objects in the Collections preference being that objects of Campbeltown Museum, as well should be allocated locally. For as those that are best-loved by some years now, Campbeltown the community. The latter were Museum has acted as one of the chosen during an open day in repositories of archaeological September 2008 and the top four material which is subject to the objects were chosen to appear Treasure Trove System, and here. Other objects were selected as a result, the Archaeological by the curators for a variety of Collections contain material reasons, further elucidated below. from all over Argyll. Although this catalogue concentrates on In general, the permanent exhibits objects from Kintyre, one object in Campbeltown Museum are - a fragment of a Viking arm ring illustrative of history and social found on the Island of Lismore - is history, but there can be little doubt illustrative of the regional nature that the Museum’s Archaeological of the Archaeology Collection Collection is its greatest strength. Discovered by chance or by The Fine Art Collection is made archaeological excavation, these up of prints, drawings, oil and artefacts are of local and, in some watercolour paintings, many of cases, national importance. Many which have a local connection in were collected by members of terms of subject matter or have the Kintyre Antiquarian & Natural been painted by artists who have a History Society, who were also connection with Campbeltown and active in their continued care Kintyre. Two of the most important over the many years of their and best-loved paintings in the involvement with the Museum. Fine Art Collection are illustrated in this catalogue. The Social and In Scotland, all archaeological Industrial History Collections held material, or objects found by at Campbeltown Museum are broad chance, are subject to Treasure in scope and illustrate different Trove legislation and are owned elements of Campbeltown’s by the Crown, not the finder or social and industrial heritage. landowner (although rewards The natural sciences Collections are given to finders of properly are rather eclectic and contain a reported material). These great variety of objects ranging objects are then allocated by an from geological specimens from independent panel to Museums all over the world to species of which meet the standards of the birds that are found in Kintyre.

1 Among other items there is a able to display certain objects, A Brief History of Campbeltown Museum herbarium of plant specimens although we hope to in the collected in Kintyre between 1884 future after conservation work The building which houses completion and he decided to and the 1940s, and a cabinet dating has been completed. Campbeltown Museum is build anew. The architect of the from the late 19th century which unquestionably the most admired new mansion was Burnet, but it is contains over five thousand species Museums have a vital role to play in Campbeltown, yet it is now thought that MacAlister Hall’s of butterflies, moths and beetles. in the dissemination of cultural relatively modern. It belongs to new mansion may well have been history, and we hope that, through the 19th century, but only just. designed by the younger Burnet. In the last two years, a great deal this catalogue, we are in part able of retrospective documentation to strengthen the organisation The idea of a free public library and Burnet was one of the most work has been undertaken. and gain greater and more museum was apparently mooted by celebrated architects of this time, During this process a number widely known recognition for the the Kintyre Scientific Association, and the Edward VII gallery at of conservation problems were importance of the institution. which in December 1895 initiated a the British Museum in London is identified, especially among the fund-raising appeal. The initiative among his greatest works. At the prehistoric metal Collection. Dr Sharon Webb & Ms Joanne Howdle. immediately bore easy fruit. In glorious end of the late Victorian As a result we are not always the following month, a wealthy and Edwardian redevelopment of Campbeltown-born merchant, the town itself, the architectural who had retired to Kintyre after a significance of Campbeltown career in India, offered to finance Museum is without comparison. the entire project. His name was Such is the stature of Burnet and James MacAlister Hall, and by the such is the role that Campbeltown time the project was completed, plays in his growing reputation. in 1898, he had dipped into his Of all the buildings he designed funds to the extent of £12,000, for Campbeltown, the Museum which included the building, building is the finest. It consisted, furnishings, books and endowment. originally, of a hall/‘news room’, His reward was the Freedom of museum room, library and ladies’ the Burgh in 1899, a distinction reading room, with the librarian’s bestowed only twice before, on house attached, and a garden the Duke of Argyll in 1840 and on with enclosure for the display of the Marquis of Lorne in 1868. archaeological and other exhibits ‘not requiring cover’. That garden MacAlister Hall’s choice of is now dedicated to the memory architect, John James Burnet, was of Linda McCartney, a statue of astute, but perhaps influenced whom forms the centrepiece. by an earlier association with the architect’s father, John Burnet. When, in August 1898, When MacAlister Hall bought the Campbeltown Town Council Kintyre estate of Killean in the advertised in the local weekly early 1870s, he undertook the newspapers for a librarian, ‘Curator renovation and extension of the of Museum’ was the secondary old mansion. The house, however, role. The salary was substantial burned down before reaching for the time: £80, with additional

2 3 inducements of ‘free house, sustained publishing programme coal, and gas, and allowances during its first 30 years when for cleaning’. A succession of membership was at its most librarians proceeded to function robust. Since the first librarian was as curator, aided by the Kintyre employed in the late 19th century, Archaeological Antiquarian Society. museum curation had steadily become more professionalized. The Society was founded in Although late for most museums, 1921 with the object of studying it was eventually decided that ‘the Archaeological History and a professional museum curator Antiquities of Kintyre’ and it has was necessary for not just certainly fulfilled that object, being Campbeltown Museum, but the active in initiating many valuable whole of Argyll and Bute. The projects connected with local first took up post in the 1990s. history, culture and archaeology, and combining these with a Sadly, budget cuts coincided with the move of the library to new premises at Aqualibrium in 2007 and the Museum’s Development Officer’s post was axed. For some time the Museum’s future was uncertain; however, the renovation of the Burnet Building and its subsequent re-opening as Campbeltown’s ‘service point’ has given the Museum a new lease of life and an upsurge in visitor numbers. The Museum and its Collection remain in the ownership of Argyll and Bute Council, but the Collections are now curated under a service level agreement with the curators of Kilmartin House Museum and Auchindrain Museum, who provide specialist archaeological and social historical knowledge to ensure that the objects remain safe, well cared for and in Campbeltown itself.

Adapted from text by Mr Angus Martin, Former Chair of the Kintyre Antiquarian and Natural History Society. The Objects...

4 5 A Westerly Gale On The Kintyre Hills

A&BMS2000.13 (Fine Art) A&BMS2000.17 (Fine Art)

On the Kintyre Hills is an example of the work of John Campbell The artist William McTaggart – Although McTaggart never returned Mitchell RSA (1865-1922), perhaps widely acclaimed as Scotland’s to Kintyre to live, he was a frequent Kintyre’s most distinguished greatest landscape painter – was visitor on seasonal painting trips. artist after William McTaggart, born in 1835 into a poor family Machrihanish, with its rugged who was born a generation on the farm of Aros, where his coastline and Atlantic surf, was a before him. Mitchell was born father Dugald was a labourer. Both favourite location, and it was almost in Campbeltown and worked in of William’s parents were Gaelic- certainly there that A Westerly Gale the office of C. & D. Mactaggart, speaking and William too became a (1897) was conceived. Executed lawyers, before his father was Gaelic speaker. Indeed, his Gaelic in oil on board, this painting was persuaded to allow him to pursue background informed some of bequeathed to Campbeltown his real talents. Mitchell studied the finest of his paintings, such Town Council in 1950, along with art first in Edinburgh and then in as the late series on emigration. When the Kye Comes Hame, by Paris and made a successful career With the encouragement of a McTaggart’s daughter, Lady Annie for himself as a painter, admired local doctor, William was enabled Mary Caw. The stature of the artist for his portrayal of wide expanses to develop his creative talents and the location of the subject of sea and sand. This painting, under formal tuition, and was combine to make this painting the executed in oils on canvas, enrolled at the Trustees’ Academy best-loved, and probably the most evokes the windswept beauty in Edinburgh in 1852. His valuable, of the fine art works of Mitchell’s native landscape. distinguished career had begun. held by Campbeltown Museum.

6 7 Campbeltown Fair MacKinnon was born in (Fine Art) Campbeltown in 1849, but spent the latter part of his life in Unlike his illustrious compatriot England and died there in 1935. William McTaggart, the painter Campbeltown Fair, which is dated of Campbeltown Fair, Archibald 1886, was first exhibited at the MacKinnon, has no artistic Edinburgh International Exhibition reputation outside his native of Industry, Science and Art in that town, and that reputation is same year. It is one of three genre founded almost entirely on the paintings of old Campbeltown – controversial Crucifixion painting the others were St. John’s Night which he executed on the wall and Hogmanay at the Cross – of a cave on Davaar Island, at presented anonymously to the town the entrance to Campbeltown in 1904. The native charm and Loch. The work created a social rootedness of Campbeltown sensation when discovered in Fair, which features a variety of 1887 and has since become a still-identifiable 19th century local popular tourist destination. characters, has assured its place in the affections of local people, and it has been widely reproduced, most notably for the 300th anniversary celebrations of the foundation of the Royal Burgh of Campbeltown.

8 9 Beggars’ Badges Herd’s Horn

CAPTM1995.057.01 & A&BMS2000.023.01 (Social History) CAPTM1995.057.02 (Social History) In the past most of the people In 1833, the poor of Campbeltown who lived in Campbeltown were parish were issued with oval badges tenants of the Duke of Argyll. As made from pewter, which gave such they had the privilege of them the right to beg in the town being able to pasture a cow on the on one day in each week. Begging town moor, now the farm of Gallow without a badge was forbidden, so Hill. Every morning the Town Herd they were marked with a unique went through the streets blowing number. The beggars’ badges the horn that is illustrated in this that feature in this catalogue catalogue. After collecting the cows, bear the numbers 89 and 97, but the Herd took them to the grazing the names of the people they ground at Gallow Hill for the day, were issued to is not known. returning them in the evening to be milked by their owners.

The Town Herd was evidently an official of some importance, for his appointment was always recorded in the Minutes of the Town Council. The Town Herd received a house on the town moor and fourteen pence salary per annum for each cow that he looked after. The names of all of the Town Herds are engraved on a silver plaque that has been applied to the horn. At some point in its history, the horn was turned into a snuff mill. The Herd’s horn is on loan to Campbeltown Museum from the Kintyre Club.

10 11 Model of the Harvester previously been in use for ring- CAPTM1997.019 (Social History) that it aroused the determined netting. Unlike the traditional opposition of traditional drift-net skiffs, the Falcon and Frigate Bird This model represents a 1960’s fishermen and their allies, the fish- had canoe-shaped sterns and lean motorised ring-netter. The ring- curers. In 1851 the method was quarters, and were also completely net was a method of fishing which prohibited by Act of Parliament decked, with a wheelhouse at the evolved on lower Lochfyne in the and remained illegal until 1867, stern, where the skipper could 19th century, was advanced by a period of hardship, harassment stand out of the wind and rain. Campbeltown fishermen in the early and bloodshed in the ring-net The majority of fishermen were decades of the 20th century and communities, particularly Tarbert. slow to invest in new-style ring- further advanced by the fishermen netters, but by the mid-1920s of Ayrshire after the Second World The first purpose-built motorised the change had begun. After the War. It became obsolete in the ring-netters appeared in 1922 with Second World War, the earlier 1970s, having been overtaken by the launch of the Falcon and the canoe-shaped sterns and lean the mid-water trawl and purse- Frigate Bird for Robert Robertson of quarters gave way to cruiser sterns seine methods. The principle Campbeltown, a visionary skipper. and fuller quarters to cope with of the method was to actively These innovative vessels were bulkier nets and heavier engines. In locate and surround shoals of longer by 3 metres than the longest the 1960s, the boats – now duel- herring, and such was its efficiency of the Loch Fyne Skiffs which had purpose, being also engaged in trawling – began to fill out overall.

This model was commissioned in 1996 by the Friends of Campbeltown Museum. The builder, Joe Brown, is a retired Campbeltown skipper, born in 1936. His models are not strictly to scale, but are constructed entirely by eye as the work proceeds. The companion model, of the Loch Fyne Skiff Fairy Queen, is built to scale, and represents the earlier type of ring-netter, designed originally for sail and oar. The prototypes of the Loch Fyne Skiff, the Alpha and Beta, were built in 1882 for Edward McGeachy of Dalintober. Fittingly, the builder of the Fairy Queen model, Sweeney McGeachy, belonged to the same family. The Fairy Queen was donated to Campbeltown Museum in 1952.

12 13 Penny Farthing

A&BMS2002.050 (Social History) wheel, both made of metal and with solid rubber tyres. The pedals were The Penny Farthing, also referred attached to the centre of the front to as the High or Ordinary bicycle, wheel. This bicycle belonged to the was invented in 1871 by British late Councillor Willie McDougall, engineer, James Starley and Campbeltown, who actually rode came after the development of it, though it had become obsolete the Hobbyhorse, and the French before he was even born. The Velocipede or Boneshaker. This Penny Farthing has been chosen model is the ‘Club’, manufactured by the people of Campbeltown by the Coventry Machinests’ as one of their favourite objects Company Ltd. around 1882. in the Museum Collection. The Penny Farthing was the first reasonably efficient model, Local schoolchildren particularly consisting of an iron frame with a like it, as it is “cool” and large front wheel and a small rear “really, really old”.

Clock from the Stella Maris

CAPTM1997.023 (Social History)

The significance of this nautical particularly in the demanding clock, manufactured by Davey & winter herring fishery in the Co. Ltd. of London, and illustrated Minches, which Clyde fishermen in this catalogue, is that it was called ‘the North’. The Watchful mounted in the forecastle of was built by Weatherhead & one of the best-known and most Blackie, Port Seton, in 1959 and successful of post- war ring- later renamed as the Stella Maris netters, the Watchful (BA 124) of of Campbeltown. The clock was Maidens in Ayrshire. The Watchful donated to the Museum by the was skippered by Matt Sloan, boat’s owner, Mr Denis Meenan in who worked in partnership with 1995 when the Stella Maris was his brother, Billy, skipper of the scheduled for decommissioning Wistaria. As ‘the Sloans’, the and destruction. She was, however, brothers were legendary in the reprieved and taken to Ayr for annals of modern ring-netting, restoration as an on-land exhibit.

14 15 Rose Quartz Stone Axe Head grown out roughly perpendicularly CAPTM 1373/1 (Natural Sciences) from it, and becoming larger (Archaeology) with better-formed crystal faces Rose quartz is a semi-precious towards the centre of the cavity. form of the mineral quartz (itself a form of the chemical silica, Semi-precious stones have been Si02). The pink colour is due to the used to symbolise many things, in presence of trace amounts of either different cultures around the world, manganese, iron or titanium. The for example, rose quartz is an main source of rose quartz is Brazil, alternative birthstone for the month but it is also found in many other of January. Some people believe places including the USA, India ‘crystals’ to hold powers of healing, and Madagascar. Rose quartz is and ascribe rose quartz as being usually found in ‘pegmatites’, which beneficial for dealing with affairs of are rocks that crystallize from the the heart, problems of self-esteem hot, watery fluids that circulate and other emotional troubles – during the final crystallization although the geologists among us of large masses of granite. The might not ascribe much accuracy crystals form by growing out to such ‘alternative’ beliefs! from the walls of fractures or For thousands of years, humans earliest use of pottery and the cavities. In this specimen, the Local school children particularly had no knowledge of how to make construction of burial monuments wall of the cavity is marked by like the Rose Quartz, and metal. Instead, they used stone such as Beacharra Chambered the dark, fine-grained material described it as “bling” and tools made with great care and Cairn (see below). Together, on one side, the crystals having “really pink and really cool”. skill. This axe head would have these heralded a new way of been made by someone knocking making sense of the world and flakes off a piece of stone with the cycles of life and death. another stone, or perhaps a fire hardened piece of antler. Then, The axe was found in 1978 during with smaller and smaller particles the renovation of the Crosshill/ of sand, the maker would have Meadows housing scheme. The gradually ground the axe to a finder, the late Roy Durnan, who smooth polish. It would then have was one of the workmen at the been hafted to a shaft of wood with site, took it into the Museum for hide or sinew string, and possibly identification where it remained. secured in place with a kind of glue It was chosen for the catalogue (pitch) made from tree resin. as it is the most beautiful of the Neolithic axes in the Collections Axe heads like this are iconic and is representative of what was Neolithic artefacts, used by the probably the most fundamental first people to farm in Scotland change in the way that human after about 3500BC. They beings have lived on this planet – were introduced alongside the the introduction of agriculture.

16 17 Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

(Natural Sciences)

Campbeltown Museum’s natural where they search for shrews, history Collections consist mostly mice and voles. Barn owls screech of taxidermy specimens gathered rather than hoot, and can be seen to be representative of the variety quartering fields at dusk and dawn. of birds found in Kintyre. Although the exact history of this particular The barn owl has been chosen by specimen’s acquisition is not the people of Campbeltown as one known, we do know that many of of their favourite objects in the the birds were shot specifically for Museum Collection. Local school the purposes of display. This was children particularly liked it as common many years ago, and being illustrative of the diversity we might today find it abhorrent. of the wildlife that can be found Indeed it is now illegal to shoot in Campbeltown and Kintyre and most species of bird in Britain. Barn described it as “cute”. It was found owls and their nests have extra dead at Southend – we have no protection under the Wildlife and record of how it might have died. Countryside Act 1981 since they are endangered, with the Scottish Although many people find displays population estimated to be under of stuffed animals distasteful 1000 individuals. Loss of habitat today, we have chosen to keep and nesting sites, along with deaths them in public view. Many were from collisions with vehicles and collected many years ago, when from accidental poisoning intended stuffed animals were popular for for rodents, are all thought to scientific and educational purposes, contribute to the decline of the and rather than dispose of our barn owl in Scotland. Kintyre specimens, we retain them since however, is a nationally important they are the closest sustained stronghold of the species, with encounter many people will have an estimated 40-50 territories, of with the vast majority of Scottish which, on average, about a third wildlife, albeit in the unnatural would be in use in any given year. environment of the Museum.

These birds have very specific Scotland’s population of barn owls habitat requirements, preferring is the most northerly worldwide, farm buildings or (as in our but it is endangered. If you would diorama) a hollow tree for a nesting like to help the conservation of site. Once paired, they mate for these fascinating creatures, please life and tend to keep to the same visit the Barn Owl Trust web site hunting range of open grasslands, at www.barnowltrust.org.uk

18 19 Beacharra Pot by J.G Scott in 1959 and 1961. had by then become one of the As well as the six pots, he found basic groups for the study of CAPTM 162 (Archaeology) other fragments of pottery, Neolithic pottery in Scotland. pitchstone and flint, along with an This pot is one of six excavated extremely rare jet belt fastener. The cairn and its archaeological from the burial cairn at Beacharra, finds date to the Neolithic period, near Campbeltown, by the Kintyre J.G Scott was a Curator at Glasgow beginning some five thousand years Scientific Society in 1892. The Art Gallery and Museum when he ago and lasting for perhaps two Scientific Society was later to investigated the cairn, and was also thousand years. Archaeologists become the Kintyre Antiquarian heavily involved in Campbeltown believe that it was during this time Society and many of the objects in Museum for many years. The work that people first began to farm, the Museum today were collected at the Beacharra site was published make pottery and domesticate by its members. The Beacharra by Scott, and he also re-examined animals. We also know that the Cairn was later re-investigated the pottery found earlier, which people who lived during this time

20 21 were very spiritual, and their world are all earthenware, made from Stone Ball was full of ritual which often found local clay, and hand made. We do expression in the construction of not know if the pots were used CAPTM 0129 (Archaeology) monuments such as the Beacharra before being placed in the cairn, cairn. Although human remains or if they were specially made as Carved stone balls are probably examples have many more do not often survive in the Kintyre grave goods. Some of the bowls Scotland’s most enigmatic knobs and pointed protrusions. soil, examples elsewhere suggest are decorated, others are plain. The archaeological artefacts. Most this was a place of burial, and bowl shown here is the largest of are found on the East coast, in It was found on the seashore at that the objects found inside the six vessels, and has a curious Aberdeenshire, but a small number Dunaverty Bay, Southend, by Mrs the cairn were grave goods. uneven decoration around the rim come from the West, including this G Beatson. We have no record as well as unperforated ‘lugs’. example. They date from 3200 and of when, nor do we know why The cairn would have originally 2500 BC, so are Neolithic, like the the object was on the beach. contained up to three burial Beacharra Cairn stands today Bowl from Beacharra, and the Stone chambers, entered through a next to the largest standing stone Axe Head from Meadow Avenue. Archaeologists have puzzled over single entrance. It might have in Kintyre, which would have the function of these objects and been used as a place of burial for been built some time later in the This ball has been carved the meaning of their decoration. generations, but at some point Bronze Age. The islands of Gigha, with six raised knobs. Other The best explanation is that they during the last phase of its use it Cara, Arran and Jura are visible, examples are more elaborate were sacred objects, or symbols was closed - the chambers filled as is the North coast of Ireland and some are decorated on and of power for a people whose with earth and the belt slider on a clear day. It is a beautiful between knobs with spirals, understanding of the world was placed inside. The entrance was place to visit, but permission circles and other motifs. Other very different from our own. blocked with stones. Two pots should be sought first, as the were found in each chamber. They cairn is close to a farmhouse.

22 23 Jet Necklace This magnificent necklace made of piece would have been worn jet and cannel coal was found in by a very important person, CAPTM 1995.001.01 (Archaeology) a burial at the site of the former possibly as an ostentatious Kintyre Nurseries in 1970. The site display of wealth and status. was discovered during building work, following which the landowner The crescent shaped necklace contacted Archaeologist Edward J. is made up of six spacer plates, Peltenburg from Glasgow University, one triangular fastening toggle who conducted an excavation. and a hundred and six beads (which archaeologists describe Two burials in the form of stone- as fusiform in shape). It is made lined coffins, or cists, were found. largely from jet, but a few of the One contained a small pottery beads are manufactured from a vessel which is now displayed similar substance known as cannel in Campbeltown Museum. The coal. The only known source of other cist contained the necklace, usable jet is in Whitby, Yorkshire, bracelet, and a flint blade. whereas cannel coal can be found Skeletal human remains were in Scotland. It is probable that the also found, but they were badly necklace was made in Yorkshire degraded, so it was not possible and imported to Argyll, after which to determine very much more some beads might have been lost, than that the person was an and replaced with a native Scottish adult. Research from other areas material. Some beads show signs of of Scotland suggested, however, wear, which suggests that it was an that necklaces such as this are heirloom piece. That jet was being generally found in female graves. imported into Argyll shows the area was important with wide ranging From the artefacts and type of trade links some 3,000 years ago. burial, it is possible to date this assemblage of artefacts to the The excavator reports that the Bronze Age, (c.2500-600 BC). necklace was found in disarray, The necklace itself might narrow with beads partially scattered the date down to somewhere at random. He thought that the between 2050 and 1800 BC, necklace might have broken as it after which they seem to have and the body were placed inside rather fallen out of fashion. the grave, scattering the beads.

Necklaces such as this are rare Although jet necklaces are known finds, and it is one of the most from other parts of Scotland, important objects in the Museum’s they are rare. Kilmartin Glen to Collection. Many Campbeltonians the north has a concentration of said that it was their favourite such artefacts, along with high object. In the Bronze Age, the status Bronze Age burial cairns.

24 25 Bronze Sword demonstration of wealth and swords such as this were in use, status. Evidently this was important casting techniques had progressed CAMPT 190 (Archaeology) to people living in Bronze Age considerably to enable such a long, Scotland as is clear by examples thin sword to be made. A hollow This bronze sword was found in of other objects found, such as two part clay mould would first 1824 by brothers Sam and James the Jet Necklace (see above). have been fashioned, probably Mitchell whilst they were making Very often, although it does not using a wooden pro-forma to create a drain on Craigs Farm, Kintyre. appear so in the case of this sword, a sword shaped void. Using copper It was made and used during collections of bronze objects are and tin ore heated to an extremely the Bronze Age, and is therefore deliberately broken, or damaged hot temperature in a clay crucible, around three thousand years old. in some way before being placed the bronze was made. This molten into water. Archaeologists think metal was then poured into the that this may have been a form clay mould and allowed to cool. of ritual ‘killing’ of the objects – a practice that adds more to the Once the metal had cooled mystery of why these objects were completely, the clay could be deposited at all. The tang to which broken off to reveal the new sword. a handle would have been fitted A handle of wood, bone or metal is missing from this example, but was then affixed to the ‘tang’ and this probably decayed rather than riveted in place through holes left having been intentionally broken. for the purpose. The handle of this sword has long since rotted Long bladed swords such as away, leaving only the metal. Great this are the first kind of sword skill and patience was required to be made in Scotland. As to create these objects and they weapons capable of slashing at would have been greatly prized. some distance, they might have been used from horseback as There are other swords of the same the earlier daggers could never period in the Museum, along with have been. Were these swords other objects made of bronze from the weapons of a warrior elite? the same time. Bronze objects are some of the most difficult Weapons from this period are It was during the Bronze Age that to look after in the Museum as often found deposited in watery knowledge of how to make metal they are particularly sensitive places such as bogs or pools, for came to Scotland. Smiths would to changes in temperature and what reason we are only able to probably have been regarded as humidity and as a consequence speculate. Were these objects special people in society – the they are also rarely found in gifts to the gods or goddesses? melting of ore to create beautiful archaeological sites – having long Were they given to the earth shiny objects would no doubt have since decayed. That these swords in appeasement, or perhaps seemed a magical ability to the have survived is probably due to a celebration of a battle won? majority of the population. The the lack of oxygen in the watery This could have been an act of first metal objects to be made were place in which they were placed conspicuous consumption – a flat axe heads, but by the time some three thousand years ago.

26 27 Glass Bead than today, so our knowledge Viking Age remains quite limited. We are able CAPTM 0221.01 (Archaeology) to say that Duns were probably Link Plate roofed structures, the dwelling place for a single family and possibly CAPTM2007.1 (Archaeology) their retainers or attendants. This fragment of a Viking Age Some Dun sites in Argyll show arm ring was found in the signs of having been destroyed Island of Lismore in the early by fire. If set alight, the timber 2000s. It is an extremely rare lacing and stone walls heat to object to find in Scotland. such a temperature that they are literally cooked in a process The arm ring would have been known as vitrification. Fires might made by twisting two rods of gold have happened by accident, together and bending them to form This glass bead was found during but most probably the cause a ring. The rod ends were tapered excavations at the Dun on Ugadale was an attack. The prominent and these were merged together for finger rings in Scotland, and Point, Kintyre, in 1939. Duns are position and association with the and beaten to form a flat plate these were made using the same small defensive structures, probably area’s elite would of course have upon which ‘dot’ ornamentation technique of twisting metal rods. constructed during the Iron Age made these fortified dwellings was stamped. The twisted rods are (about 600 BC to about 400 AD) a target for hostile forces. still clearly visible on the reverse People would have displayed and occupied intermittently over the side. A similar (but whole) arm wealth about their person during next few centuries into the Medieval This bead is one of two which ring was found in the Sound of this time, but could also have used Period. Built of dry stone walling came from the Dun at Ugadale, Jura by divers in the 1980s. From their ornaments in payment for in a roughly circular shape, and and suggests that the occupants this, and many examples found goods and services. Jewellery could sometimes interlaced with timber, must have been of reasonably high in Scandinavia, we are able to tell be cut up if the payment needed they occasionally have chambers status. The bead is made from what the Lismore arm ring would was less than the worth of the inside the walls in a similar fashion blue glass with four projections, have looked like when whole. whole object, and an appropriate to ‘brochs’ – a type of monument fashioned from blue glass swirled portion of the metal weighed out found further North and East. with white pigmented glass. It Viking Age arm rings were probably on a balancing scales. This link might not have been made in made around the 10th century. plate shows signs of cutting, and Duns were usually located on a high the area and might have been an This was a turbulent time along has evidently been separated point in the landscape, overlooking aristocratic gift. We do not know the western seaboard. Wealth from the rest of the arm ring. farm land and generally close to how it was worn, or by whom – it was often hidden – buried in the the coast. There are sixty known of might have been threaded onto a ground in groups of objects which It came to the Campbeltown this particular kind of archaeological thong and worn around the neck, archaeologists call hoards. Collections via the Treasure Trove monument in Kintyre, and there are in the hair, or sewn onto clothing. system. The Museum on Lismore many more in other parts of Argyll. Arm rings are often found in is currently not accredited, and It was chosen to be included in Viking Age graves and hoards in therefore cannot take Treasure Few Dun sites have been excavated the catalogue as it demonstrates Scandinavia. They are made from Trove material. The link plate is in Argyll, and many were that Kintyre was a place of some gold and silver, but there are very frequently lent to the Museum on investigated when archaeological connection and status in the Iron few gold arm rings known from Lismore where it is better seen techniques were less sophisticated Age and Early Historic Period. Viking Age Scotland. Gold is used in the context of its find spot.

28 29 Cross Fragment The symbols used were wide ranging, sometimes depicting (Archaeology) a trade, others portray people, and although generally it is men Medieval archaeology along the who appear, there are some West Highland coast is dominated examples of women and children. by carved grave slabs, crosses The motifs used were mostly and effigies. Grave slabs were likely chosen by the person commissioned as memorials who commissioned the work. to important people, generally chieftains or religious figures. On one face, a warrior appears Some crosses did not serve as in full West Highland armour, on burial markers, but were erected horseback carrying a spear. Above as acts of piety (or perhaps him is part of an enlarged sword penance), or to commemorate pommel and below him a hound an event. They may have also chases a stag. On the other side, stood on altars, or at praying two lions appear to be fighting and stations – a practice that abruptly below them a West Highland galley, ended with the Reformation. or birlinn, is carved. Above the lions, and on the sides of the slab, Carved stones were made by are interlaced Celtic decoration. master craftsmen who probably belonged to local workshops, This cross fragment is one of known as ‘schools’. As carving a number of carved stones in developed from the 14th century, the Museum, and is emblematic it is thought that four schools (or of the West Highlands in the styles of carving) existed – the Iona Medieval period. It was found in and Loch Awe schools, the school the grave yard of Kilchousland centred at Oronsay Priory and the old Parish Church and it is fourth being located somewhere thought to have been brought on mainland Kintyre. Some to the Museum for safe keeping historians have suggested there as the Church is ruined. may have been a fifth, located somewhere near Kilmory, or Keils, The cross is illustrated in T.P at the mouth of Loch Sween. Not White’s 1872 book ‘Archaeological all were in operation at the same Sketches of Kintyre’, but shown in time. Carvers would have used two portions, one of which appears local stone, and it is thought that to have been lost. This cross, they may have travelled around and its missing parts, serve as a the Highlands and Islands to work reminder that we have to actively on commissions for the area’s care for Kintyre’s heritage or it wealthy and important people. may be lost to future generations.

30 31 Acknowledgements

Text by Sharon Webb (Archaeology and Natural Sciences), Joanne Howdle (Social History and Fine Art), Angus Martin (Social History and Fine Art), and Roger Anderton (Geology). Photography and design by Aaron Watson.

The authors would like to thank the Campbeltown Common Good Fund and Museums Galleries Scotland for providing grant aid to enable this catalogue to be published. We would also like to acknowledge the help and assistance of Kerry Corbett, former Head of Libraries and Heritage at Argyll and Bute Council, with this project.

If you would like to make a donation to the Museum, please leave it with the reception staff, who will also be able to pass on any enquiries you have about the Museum or its Collections. All donations will be used to benefit the Collections. For details of opening times please phone 01586 559000. Campbeltown Museum St. John Street Campbeltown Kintyre Argyll PA28 6BJ

32 ©2009 Sharon Webb, Joanne Howdle, Angus Martin, Anderton, and Aaron Watson Roger