www.archaeologyscotland.org.uk ISSUE 26 SUMMER 2016 Celebrating Summer: Birthdays, Anniversaries and Camels

Adopting Ormond monuments Castle

Angles in Aberlady CONTENTS Issue No 26 / Summer 2016 Got something to say? ISSN 2041-7039 The next issue will be on the theme ‘ in the wider Published by Archaeology Scotland, editorial community projects world’, and you are invited to Suite 1a, Stuart House, 04 18 submit articles relating to this. We From the Director Focus on , , Ross-shire also welcome articles on general Eskmills, Station Road, 20 Happy 5th Birthday, Adopt-a-Monument topics, community projects, SAM Musselburgh EH21 7PB 24 Tel: 0300 012 9878 A-a-M Case Study – ‘If Streets Could Speak’ events and research projects, as Email: info@archaeologyscotland. well as members’ letters. Members org.uk features are particularly encouraged to Scottish Charity SC001723 05 news send letters, short articles, photos Company No. 262056 Aberlady Angles and opinions relating to Scottish 08 25 A Lost Medieval Village on the M74... Made in Scotland from Girders? archaeology at any time for 10 ...and a Lost Castle in Partick 26 2016 Summer School; 30th Anniversary Year inclusion in our ‘Members’ Section’. Cover picture 12 Living Lomond 28 A Day in the Borders Rebecca Boyde, our Youth 16 29 If you plan to include something Engagement Officer, takes a camel Giza Job – Youth Engagement in Egypt 60 Second Interview – Coralie Mills ride near the Great Pyramid © in the next issue, please contact Archaeology Scotland the editor in advance to discuss requirements, as space is usually at books a premium. We cannot guarantee Edited and typeset by 30 Review – St Kilda to include a particular article in a Sue Anderson, particular issue, but we will do our Spoilheap Archaeology very best to accommodate you! [email protected] 05 16 High resolution digital images (300 dpi+) are preferred for publication. Advertising sales Please include copyright details and Advertisers should contact the a caption. Archaeology Scotland offices in the first instance. Contributions can be sent by post to the Archaeology Scotland offices © Archaeology Scotland 08 or emailed direct to the Editor Copyright for text published in (see opposite) marked ‘ArchScot Archaeology Scotland magazine will contribution’. rest with Archaeology Scotland and © ACHS the individual contributors. © Archaeology Scotland Please send your contributions by 3rd October 2016. Views and opinions expressed within Archaeology Scotland magazine are All copy may be edited for reasons not necessarily those of Archaeology

© GUARD Arch. Ltd © GUARD of length and clarity. Scotland, its Board or the Editor

A large print version of © NOSAS 18 Find us on the Web Archaeology Scotland is available on request. Please contact the www.archaeologyscotland.org.uk Archaeology Scotland office for further information. @ArchScot

12 20 search Archaeology Scotland © LLLP © Archaeology Scotland 2 – ISSUE 26 SUMMER 2016 – 3 editorial features

s if you needed proof, this The Scottish Heritage Angel edition of the Archaeology Awards (yet another of our AScotland magazine demonstrates partnership initiatives) is now open that interest in archaeology is for nominations. Now in its second thriving in Scotland and partnerships year, the awards scheme, funded by abound. The level of volunteering the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, is impressive, as is the scope and celebrates the important efforts of r breadth of investigations and models volunteers or ‘Angels’ in helping of engagement with the public. better to understand, protect and Use of drones and 3D imagery value Scotland’s heritage and history. o are now commonplace and a mix Local community organisations across of approaches to developing and Scotland are invited to nominate t delivering exciting, innovative projects heritage volunteers and voluntary is giving us all the chance to get groups for the Scottish Heritage Angel involved. Awards. The deadline is Friday 12 c Our own Adopt-a-Monument August 2016. The Awards are free to scheme has enabled us to reach far enter. and wide, to deliver training and Scottish Archaeology Month (SAM) is support to diverse groups from across back again for the whole of September

re Scotland and to reach out to and from 2016. SAM promotes hundreds of working partnerships with international archaeology and heritage related audiences. Meanwhile, our Youth events all around Scotland. Events Engagement Officer, Rebecca Boyde are very diverse from community has travelled out to Egypt to share our digs to storytelling, art exhibitions or expertise. musical concerts. Find out what is Recognition of the commitment and happening where and when, by map enthusiasm we share for archaeology or calendar, on our website www. will be celebrated at the British archaeologyscotland.org.uk/events Museum in July when the biennial If you or your organisation have an British Archaeology Awards take place. event you want us to promote please Volunteers learning archaeological photography skills as part of their training © ACHS A number of Scottish projects are in contact us on 0300 012 9878 or the mix for scooping the accolades, email [email protected]. including one we helped develop uk. (Forestry Commission Scotland’s The Picts: a learning resource), and the Eila Macqueen St Kilda book featured in this issue’s Director Aberlady Angles book review is also shortlisted.

berlady, a beautiful coastal village in The village Glebe Field is a site of huge East Lothian, is currently experiencing an interest and not only because of the remains Aexciting community archaeology project of 16th-century Kilspindie Castle. In 1990, the - Aberlady Angles (www.aberladyangles.com) - largest collection of Anglo-Saxon metal finds organised by Aberlady History and Conservation from Scotland was discovered in the Glebe Society (ACHS – www.aberladyheritage.com). by metal detectorist Roger McWee. The finds By way of background, ACHS was established include various pins, mounts, strap-ends and in 2001 to help conserve the built and natural coins. Together with a fragment of a spectacular Passionate about Archaeology? environment of our village and to research 8th-century Northumbrian cross, discovered Want to Inspire others? Time to spare? and promote its rich heritage. Following our in the adjoining Manse garden in the 1860s successful Heritage Lottery Funded Aberlady and complete with intricate carvings with clear Archaeology Scotland needs new trustees – so bring Heritage Project in 2008, and the long process similarities to the illuminated artwork in the your skills and enthusiasm to us! of gathering the necessary funding and gaining Lindisfarne Gospels, they tell us Aberlady was the necessary permissions, our focus has centred an important location during the Early Historic

From the Di Contact us at [email protected] on our Glebe Field, a scheduled site and a two period. But what activities were taking place here to register your interest! week excavation overseen by AOC Archaeology and why? These questions led to our geophysical Group. surveys in 2008–9, carried out to help bring 4 – ISSUE 26 SUMMER 2016 – 5 features

experiences. Although designed proved invaluable in locating some of smaller Our project will continue until October or to answer specific research finds such as a 9th-century Anglo-Saxon coin November, during which time outreach work questions, the project is also from the reign of King Eanred (810–840AD). with our schools and the local community will committed to skills development Our finds are now undergoing post-excavation continue. The climax will be at an Anglo-Saxon and training for all our analysis and conservation by AOC to tell us feast – keep your eye on our project website for volunteers, and in partnership more. But visiting experts are unanimous in that updates. Of course none of this would have been with AOC Archaeology Group what we have found is of exceptional national possible with the support of our sponsors. a series of workshops and importance. Ian Malcolm, Aberlady Conservation & History practical sessions took place Some numbers! Over 1,000 volunteer hours Society throughout. These ranged in have been invested on our excavations, 300 focus from basic excavation school children visited and learned about techniques, to use of sources artefacts, excavation and Early Historic East to gather information and Lothian and around 200 visitors looked on open- Find out more planning an excavation, mouthed. What a spectacular response! Here I For more information visit our two websites: conservation and soil analysis, need to make particular mention of how AOC www.aberladyheritage.com drawing and planning, site staff always made the time to explain to everyone recording, recognising finds involved what was happening, why and to share www.aberladyangles.com and surveying. the latest theories on what it all means. During the excavations we were thrilled to uncover large stone features, and huge numbers of large animal bones. Some of the stone features may represent areas of domestic or industrial activity while the bones are surely too numerous for a general settlement. Intriguingly, the team also uncovered an extensive array of laid stones suggestive of an enormous foundation for a large building, just where the geophysical surveys suggested that a ‘gable end’ might lie. One of our metal fi nds, now undergoing analysis, and its happy fi nder Robert! © ACHS During the second week, the excavation became even more clarity to earlier surveys of our community excavations. exciting as further artefacts such identifying rectilinear features Beginning in April, our as decorated bone combs, tantalising suggestive of timber excavations were open to coins and knife blades were halls - characteristic of the anyone wishing to experience found. The team worked closely Anglo-Saxons in this period. archaeology for the first time or with local metal detectorists These anomalies were the focus to build upon existing skills and who were on site daily and

Excavation of some of the stone features uncovered © ACHS 6 – ISSUE 26 SUMMER 2016 – 7 features

The 1881 census records 247 persons residing within the labyrinthine building...

Reconstruction of medieval Netherton Cross and Cadzow Village, by Jennifer Colquhoun © GUARD Archaeology Ltd A Lost Medieval Village on the M74

housands of motorists each day travel along inches below the surface. Work stopped in this the M74 motorway to the south of Glasgow, area to allow the archaeologists to reveal the Tunaware of the fascinating 1000-year history remains of two medieval buildings linked to the that has emerged from the edge of the hard nearby spot where the 1000-year-old Netherton shoulder. Just opposite the Hamilton Services Cross once stood. This was a major religious on the M74 in South Lanarkshire, GUARD monument, erected in the 10th or 11th century. archaeologists discovered what could be the In 1925, Hamilton Town Councillors decided remains of the lost medieval village of Cadzow. to preserve it by relocating it to the grounds Cadzow was the name given to the community of Hamilton Parish Church, where it is still which lived on the edge of the River Clyde here considered to be the most important Christian in medieval times. In 1445, King James II gave relic of the area. his permission for the place to be renamed The GUARD Archaeology team found nine Hamilton and the residents were forced to move medieval coins, a stone spindle whorl, fragments a mile or so south to the town’s current location. of animal bone and over 200 sherds of glazed The discovery was made by the GUARD medieval pottery that date to the 1400s or Archaeology team during the M8 M73 M74 earlier. The team also discovered two gaming Motorway Improvements Project, which was pieces, one carved of stone and the other a circle undertaken for the Scottish Roads Partnership of green-glazed medieval pottery, which could to safeguard anything of historical interest have been used in a medieval game of some unearthed during the £500 million roads project. sort. This archaeological evidence provides an all -too-rare glimpse into the past of ordinary people GUARD Archaeology were immediately in medieval Scotland, shedding new light on the contacted when the Netherton works began and medieval beginnings of Hamilton. while monitoring the preparation of the ground for a new lane of the M74 southbound, the Kevin Mooney, Beth Spence and Warren Bailie, archaeologists noticed old stonework just a few GUARD Archaeology Ltd GUARD Archaeologists excavating the remains of a medieval building at Netherton Cross and, inset, six of the medieval coins and one of the gaming counters recovered from Netherton Cross © GUARD Archaeology Ltd 8 – ISSUE 26 SUMMER 2016 – 9 features

GUARD Archaeology team working on works, including an engine works and an iron quernstone fragment which had been re-used in another site has also recently revealed foundry. the stonework of later features, and a perforated A evidence from the opposite end of Scottish So, prior to the work commencing, GUARD slate disc which may be a spindle whorl or weight medieval society, discovering the medieval archaeologists little suspected they might of some kind. remains of Partick Castle in Glasgow. encounter such significant archaeological The finds suggest a date range of 12th/13th The lands of Partick were given to Glasgow remains. Although the historical evidence strongly century to the 17th century, which fits well with Cathedral in 1136 by King David. It was believed suggested that there was a castle here, previous the historical references to the original Bishop’s to have subsequently become the country seat evaluations and testing by others had drawn a residence being erected no earlier than the 12th of the Bishops of Glasgow, with a fortified stone blank. These showed that the overall site had century and demolished in the early 17th century structure of some kind likely erected on the been heavily disturbed by the 19th/20th-century prior to a new tower house being constructed on site – documents relating to the construction by industrial works. Therefore the assumption the site. So the archaeology probably represents the remains of both of these residences and, George Hutcheson of a tower house in 1611 was that there was only a very slim chance of once the excavation has been completed, we specify the demolition of a pre-existing structure. any remains of the medieval castle of Partick Partick Castle from the east side of the Kelvin, from A. MacGeorge’s surviving. Old Glasgow: the place and the people; from the Roman occupation will need to disentangle the remains of the later Conversely this later tower house became known tower house from the earlier castle. locally as the ‘Bishop’s Palace’. The ruin of this However, it was not known whether one area to the eighteenth century, 1880, 121 These findings from Partick Castle provide seventeenth century building stood on the west of slightly higher ground in the west of the spot became the focus of the archaeologists’ a rare glimpse into the medieval beginnings bank of the River Kelvin, near the position of the site was caused by underlying archaeological attention. of Partick and Glasgow. The survival of such railway bridge until it was removed around 1837. remains or whether it was artificially raised during substantial medieval remains is especially The site was subsequently built on for industrial the clearing of later industrial buildings. This During a watching brief within this part of the development area, the team discovered remarkable given that the site, not unlike a series of archaeological features including many industrial river banks across Britain, ditches, a well and several stone walls. The total has witnessed such large-scale destructive area defined by four separate sections of wall development over the centuries. However, this ...and a Lost Castle in Partick is around 30 x 60m (1800 sq m). All the walls recent wave of development, part of Scottish are just over a metre wide and survive for up Water’s programme of work to upgrade to three courses of stonework. They comprise Glasgow’s waste water infrastructure, has clay-bonded sandstone rubble and appear seen Scottish Water work closely with GUARD to represent the outer fortifications or curtain Archaeology and West of Scotland Archaeology wall of a castle here on the site. There are no Service to ensure that this important site is obvious inner partitions representing rooms, but afforded the ethical approach it deserves. they appear to respect the original topography Further research and specialist analyses on of the site before it was built up for industrial the assemblages recovered from Partick and use, with two sloping towards the Kelvin river. Netherton will be undertaken and published in The ditch is up to 6m wide and 1.5m deep, due course, providing new insights into the life of and the well is over 1m in diameter (depth as people at both ends of medieval Scottish society. yet unknown). Several areas of cobbled surface have also been unearthed, which may represent Kevin Mooney, Beth Spence and Warren Bailie, an earlier phase of activity as they underlie the GUARD Archaeology Ltd walls in places. A system of stone-lined culverts has also been revealed, some of which appear to be contemporary with the sandstone walls, and some of which predate them. Further excavation has since recovered around 250 sherds of medieval pottery, many of which are quite fine green glazed tableware fragments or jug handle fragments. Some of these have applied decoration. There is also at least one fragment of a German stoneware import, possibly from a panelled jug depicting ‘dancing peasant’ scenes above a band of text, dating to the 15th–16th century. The GUARD team have also recovered metalwork, leather, glass and animal bones as well as earlier architectural Some of the medieval pottery from the excavation © GUARD fragments from the remains of the castle, a Aerial photo of the excavation of part of the Partick Castle walls and ditch © GUARD Archaeology Ltd Archaeology Ltd 10 – ISSUE 26 SUMMER 2016 – 11 features

community archaeology project known as Living Lomonds the Discover the Ancient Lomonds Project, which OJT Heritage were commissioned to Think international research, act local heritage deliver. The project incorporated an audit of the area’s archaeological sites, enhanced by a programme of trainee walkover surveys and targeted geophysics at notable sites. The surveys helped find over 160 new sites that varied from prehistoric hut circles to lime kilns to 19th-century boundary stones. Well over 300 days of volunteer time has been contributed to the archaeology alone, and upwards of 400 individual volunteers were involved in the Living Lomonds programmes in some capacity. Geophysics training surveys were also used to evaluate remains at three sites identified as top of the list for cultural Local school pupils take part in the Living Lomonds excavation at significance, community interest and research East Lomond Hillfort © LLLP The Lomond Hills © LLLP priority. The sites were East Lomond Hillfort, ver the past three years an exciting and and 2016. The Partnership has delivered over Lochore Castle and Falkland’s medieval in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework of ambitious community-led conservation thirty projects with the support of additional deer park that was historically linked to the ‘impact’ as a factor in assessing the quality of Oprogramme called the ‘Living Lomonds funding from other grant-giving bodies including late medieval Falkland Palace. Community new research. All of this means that projects like Landscape Partnership’ (LLLP) has focused on the Historic Environment Scotland, Scottish Natural excavations at each site provided opportunities the Living Lomonds are not only great for public heritage and living legacy of the Lomond Hills Heritage, Fife Council, Fife Environment Trust, for local people to take part in the first involvement in the historic environment, when and surrounding communities. Anyone familiar and many others. The core mission statement explorations of these sites. This gave local put together thoughtfully they can also make with west Fife and Kinross-shire, and much of was to re-connect people with the living legacy people the chance to advance cutting-edge valuable contributions to advancing national the Firth of Forth and Tayside regions, will know of the Lomonds and nearby Benarty Hills research into Scottish historical archaeology and research agendas in archaeology with reference the twin volcanic peaks of the Lomond Hills as through a range of community based activities, share ownership of the results. This is part of a to ScARF. an unmistakable landmark. Their namesake volunteering opportunities and projects. The trend to emerge in the last few years in Scottish in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National wide-ranging projects were organised into five archaeology that increasingly a significant Exploring the southern Picts at East Park is perhaps more widely known nationally, programmes, Rural Skills, Wild Places, Living proportion of field-based research is being taken Lomond Hillfort but locally the Lomond Hills have a powerful Heritage, Exploring the Lomonds and the Historic forward by community archaeology projects Since the important rescue excavations at place in the shared landscape consciousness of Landscape. These covered everything from that are organised independent of university Clatchard Craig hillfort near Newburgh in the area. The range forms part of the Lomond developing new path networks for improving departments. Balanced against this is the growing northern Fife, few excavations have looked into Hills Regional Park and provides a rare stretch public access, biodiversity conservation and interest of academics in public archaeology and Iron Age and early medieval fortified sites in the of rugged uplands in the otherwise gently education, setting up rural skills internships, heritage funding, encouraged by the introduction area of what had been the Pictish Kingdom of rolling farmland of the Howe of Fife and urban publishing information booklets and walk guides, conurbations and ex-mining villages near stabilising historic buildings, and of course Glenrothes new town. archaeology. The Living Lomonds is supported with a The historic environment has played a central core grant of £1.7 million from the Heritage role in the Living Lomonds partnership, in Lottery Fund’s highly successful Landscape particular in the areas of volunteer engagement Partnerships funding and is made up of an and knowledge creation. OJT Heritage, the association of local, regional and national research and community heritage consultancy of organisations working in Fife and Perth & Dr Oliver O’Grady, was commissioned during Kinross. The cross-sector organisations that the early development stages of the partnership. make up the partnership range from large Back in 2012, OJT Heritage helped put together trusts and charitable organisations such as the a detailed Landscape Characterisation and core partners Fife Coastal and Countryside Conservation Action Plan. This identified the Trust and Falkland Centre for Stewardship, to key archaeological sites and landscapes in the smaller local heritage groups and museums like programme area, producing a top ten sites Kinross Museum, Markinch Heritage Group and list, and highlighted priorities for conservation, Benarty Heritage Preservation Group. They came community involvement and opportunities together to deliver a landscape conservation for filling gaps in national research agendas. programme over three years between 2013 This informed the planning for a wide-ranging A volunteer takes in the view from West Lomond during walkover survey training © LLLP 12 – ISSUE 26 SUMMER 2016 – 13 features

by Arkady Hodge with Peter Yeoman has revealed the site was in fact the seat of one of the great noble families of the Scottish realm, the Valognes, not the Valences as previously believed. The greatest effort came from the local community who helped clear the site of overgrown vegetation, attended guided walks, organised school visits from across Fife, and took part in an excavation to investigate remains of Community volunteers take time out for a group photo at Lochore Castle © LLLP an artillery fortification that Deer and Royalty at surrounds the tower. With medieval Falkland Take part support from DigIT! 2015, the www.livinglomonds.org.uk community dig not only proved The final of the project’s ‘Big www.ojtheritage.com that occupation of the site Digs’ was another ground- pre-dated the earliest record breaker, this year excavating of French knights at the castle the rare remains of a royal evidence for the park. Only a in the 12th century, stretching deer park pale, an earth very limited number of such back to the 10th–11th century bank and fenced enclose, designed medieval parklands have so far been excavated in A digital reconstruction of East Lomond Hillfort by Bob Marshall, informed by community fi ndings at the site © LLLP and probably a crannog, but near the renaissance Falkland also found a carved stone Palace, sometime residence Scotland. When understood Fib. The ‘Discover the Ancient Lomonds’ project Lochore Castle – the ‘Island of the fragment of a gunshot-hole of Mary Queen of Scots and as part of the wider research set about changing this through the first of the Strangers’ that revealed the artillery fort the Stewart Kings in the 15th agenda, the project has made Living Lomonds community excavations at East a substantial contribution to Another of the major community heritage and to be among the earliest in and 16th centuries. Samples Lomond Hillfort. The place-name means the the study of landscapes of conservation drives of the Living Lomonds has Scotland dating to the 1460s for radiocarbon dating and ‘beacon hill’, but for those volunteers and visitors governance and stewardship been at the ruin of Lochore Castle near Ballingry. to 1520s and comparable with medieval pottery discovered from the Glenrothes side of the hill it has always in post-Roman and medieval This is the remains of a late medieval towerhouse Ravenscraig and Threave Castle by our community volunteers simply been known as ‘Falkland Hill’. in Dumfries and Galloway. have provided the first dating Scotland. Some of the key situated at the entrance of Lochore Meadows cutting-edge field research A training geophysics survey revealed Country Park. The ruin is positioned on a low in recent years has been indications of a large enclosure attached to the mound, the remains of a land-locked island left achieved by community fort ramparts, forming a southern annexe and behand after drainage in the 18th century, and endeavour, rightly guided by containing areas of settlement remains. A three was at risk of collapse. Working with the Benarty professional archaeological week community training dig then confirmed Heritage Preservation Group, the castle has supervision and cross-sector evidence for Iron Age and early historic buildings been conserved by the Living Lomonds through partnership. Its success lies in and a metalworking site, including finds such comprehensive building conservation works. The the powerful combination of as fragments of shale armlets, stone tools, a site has also been investigated as part of the shared experience, positive quernstone, spindle whorls and part of an iron community heritage effort. As a castle Lochore collective spirit and, vitally, a horse bridle bit. Combined with finds made is fairly typical of Scottish towerhouses and the key accessible funding base. on the hill since the 1920s, including a Pictish layout follows an essential logic with remains carved stone incised with the image of a bull, of a first floor banqueting hall, large southern Oliver O’Grady, OJT Heritage these new exciting discoveries have revealed windows to the south, fire ranges in the darker East Lomond to be one of Fife’s largest forts. north wall, and stacked garderobes along the Most likely this was a major royal seat in the 1st east wall. Partnership working has formed a millennium AD and the venue for the kind of fine key part of this research and the project has craft activity and mounted warrior elites found benefited greatly from expert input by Historic previously at the small number of other key multi- Environment Scotland survey team, who helped phased hillforts excavated in Scotland, such as produce a new scaled-plan of the buildings and Dundurn in Perthshire and Dunadd in Argyll and commented throughout on the conservation Bute. works. Newly commissioned historical research Digital reconstruction of Lochore Castle by Bob Marshall © LLLP 14 – ISSUE 26 SUMMER 2016 – 15 features

Rebecca’s talk covered all the work that Archaeology Scotland does including Adopt- Giza Job... a-Monument and its outreach elements like the ‘If Streets Could Speak’ project, the Artefact and Activity Kits that we lend out to schools and youth groups and our Heritage Heroes school project and its successor, the Heritage Hero Award scheme. Rebecca spoke about how Dig It! 2017’s bright pink marketing event webpage and the use of popular culture and fun events are bringing archaeology to new audiences. The delegates were hugely impressed by the work that Archaeology Scotland is doing and in its considerable success in engaging the public with archaeology. Other interesting papers presented at the seminar included Monica Hanna (twitter Archaeology Scotland takes its @monznomad) about the problem of looting on ancient, Youth Engagement expertise to Egypt often undocumented, sites. Greater public knowledge of The seminar in Cairo was near Giza and the pyramids © Archaeology Scotland the value of these sites, when Engagement Officer with both Archaeology scientifically excavated, will “Can you see anything?” Scotland and Dig It! 2015, Penny felt that this work towards stopping this expertise could be of use in Egypt, where heritage looting. The Cairo branch of the Egypt Exploration Society is “Yes, wonderful things!” professionals would like new ways to involve The Egyptian Museum, Cairo © Archaeology Scotland already undertaking outreach Howard Carter’s reply to Lord Carnarvon while opening King Tutankhamun’s people with the archaeology around them. work with schools and funds tomb in 1922 Educating young people about, and engaging them with, the past is one very good way to inspectors to come to the UK Find out more for a month to train in heritage. Egypt Exploration Society: www.ees.ac.uk arter’s discovery of King Tutankhamun’s ensure that heritage sites and archaeological knowledge survive into the future. Another speaker told of the Memphis: www.york.ac.uk/news-and- tomb and the image of archaeologists as ‘Memphis Site and Community Last month Rebecca went out to Egypt to speak events/news/2016/research/new- Ctreasure seekers are strong in the public Development Project’, run by at a seminar for heritage professionals in Cairo, beginning-ancient-egypt/gallery/ imagination. The archaeological remains found the University of York, which and also gave a talk to archaeology inspectors in Egypt are among the best in the world and trains inspectors in community at Saïs (which contains the ancient Egyptian town We hope to continue to British antiquarians such as Flinders Petrie and archaeology and archaeology of Sa el-Hagar). Penny has been excavating develop these links with our Alexander Rhind made their names there and skills. The most successful here with the University of Durham since 1989, colleagues and it has sparked developed survey and excavation methods that community projects involve form the basis for many still used today. working closely with the local Inspectors of the our interest in developing Ministry of Antiquities of State. The inspectors economic development of an a resource looking at the Dr Penny Wilson is a Senior Lecturer in were very interested to hear about the expertise area, for example in Nazla connections between Scottish Archaeology at the University of Durham and met that Archaeology Scotland has in presenting where potters make pottery archaeologists and collections Rebecca Boyde, our Youth Engagement Officer, practical sessions to young people, since they using the same techniques as and Egypt, which we hope to last December at a Dig It! 2015 careers event are planning on creating a permanent dig pit in those found in ancient tombs take forward this year. for ‘Previously’… Scotland’s History Festival. order to teach excavation and drawing skills to and sell it to tourists, thus After learning about Rebecca’s work as a Youth school children. helping develop the area as a Rebecca Boyde and Jennifer tourist destination. Thoms, Learning Team At Sa el-Hagar © Archaeology Scotland 16 – ISSUE 26 SUMMER 2016 – 17 community projects

Focus on Ormond Castle Avoch, Ross-shire In 1883 the castle was investigated by Angus Beaton, but the excavations carried out remain unpublished and the plan produced was inadequate. A further sketch was drawn in the 1960s, but it too is not very detailed and does not give an indication of the complexity of the site. Our task to carry out a measured survey using planetables was ambitious – not only was the site complex, but it was also big (150 x 65m), covered in thick vegetation and had considerable height A processed quadcopter photograph, viewing the castle from the west © NOSAS discrepancy. The local ACA folk were drawings. Inevitably the height enhanced overall picture of the enthusiastic, making a good variations meant that the PT fortification. These images also job of clearing the vegetation, positions were not quite correct revealed a few more features and on a calm but cold in their relationship to each which we were able to fill in weekend in March, twenty other, but this was overcome ‘by eye’ on the two return visits people, from both NOSAS by making adjustments at the which were needed to verify and ACA, gathered at the site. ‘drawing-up’ stage of the plan and adjust the drawing. Many had no experience of using the processed aerial This survey was only part of using a plane table but, after photographs taken from a some training, they quickly got the first non-invasive phase of quadcopter flyover on the into the way of it and the task the Avoch Community group second day. was completed in two days project; we wish them all the Looking north-east towards the village of Avoch from the castle © NOSAS using five plane tables. Nine The flyover also produced best with their future plans and PT stations were needed to some impressive 3D images look forward to working with he North of Scotland Archaeological family and the earls of Ross, the castle cover the site and these were of the castle and its features them again. Society (NOSAS) and Avoch Community passed to royal control and in 1481 James III carefully linked together on the which gave a greatly Meryl Marshall, NOSAS TArchaeology (ACA) group joined forces in granted it to his son, the Marquis of Ormond, March 2016 to survey and photograph Ormond from whom the present name derives. The castle Castle, GR NH 6963 5358 (HER ID: MHG8226, was destroyed by Cromwell’s forces in 1650 and Canmore ID 13572). The castle overlooks the the stones were transported over the firth to build village of Avoch on the and commands the Citadel in . good views across the to the south and the ferry crossing between Chanonry and Only the foundations of the walls remain Ardersier in the east. today; the HES scheduling document for the site states that ‘the monument is of national To date Ormond castle has not received the importance because it is a fine field monument attention it deserves. It is traditionally associated with William the Lion (1143–1214). He built of a type rare in Scotland; it is said to have been two castles on the Black Isle in 1179, one at one of the royal castles built c.1179 and … Redcastle and a second which is thought to be the clearly defined remains have the potential this one. Andrew de Moray, owner of the castle to increase understanding of 12th-century in the 13th century, was principal commander fortification techniques and military history.’ Also of Scottish forces in the north during the Wars of of interest are the ditches and banks around the Independence in the late 13th century, but was north-east side of the site, reminiscent of those mortally wounded fighting alongside William found on some Iron Age forts, and suggesting Wallace at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297. the possibility of the site having had earlier In 1455, after being in the hands of the de occupation. The plan which resulted from the survey work © NOSAS 18 – ISSUE 26 SUMMER 2016 – 19 community projects Happy 5th Birthday, Adopt-a-Monument

longer safe to enter and was was ‘Digging the Gymmie’ – a in need of urgent repairs. three day excavation of the Adopt-a-Monument supported site of St Bernard’s Football the group in applying for ground in Edinburgh which Scheduled Monument Consent took place in May 2015. The and in a funding bid to project worked in partnership St Comgan’s graveyard (above) and church (right), on the Arnamurchan peninsula © Archaeology Scotland Historic Environment Scotland with Crisis Skylight Edinburgh to complete the emergency (homeless transition charity) ummer 2016 will see us celebrate five years monuments, what we have learnt from Adopt-a- and negotiating Scheduled conservation work required to and World Wide Volunteering of the current Adopt-a-Monument Scheme. Monument has also encouraged us to carry out a Monument Consent (SMC). safeguard the building. The (a charity for injured and sick SThe plan was to work with 55 community much wider survey of our landscape.” In contrast, the Bressay Local group has been successful service personnel). Many of groups, divided between 40 stewardship-led Thanks to the success of the projects, History Group on Shetland with their funding and SMC the volunteers welcomed the projects and 15 outreach or ‘new audience’ additional funding has been secured that will see wanted on-site training in applications, with work on the relaxed and flexible approach projects. We have exceeded that original target the work continue until at least March 2017 with baseline recording so that church due to be completed to taking part which allowed and are currently working on 62 projects, with a plans for more phases after that. they could start to monitor the in 2016. The group had this people to participate for as further 63 prospective projects on the waiting list. remains of Cullingsbrough to say: “As a consequence of little as an hour or to come and The groups and monuments that we While we are still ‘number crunching’ our end of Township. [Adopt-a-Monument] support, spend the full three days on the have worked with cover a vast range, both scheme evaluation data, we do know that last The St Comgan’s Church we have now applied for a project. They could get involved geographically and typologically. We have year, our volunteers contributed an impressive and Graveyard project on the Heritage Lottery Fund grant, in digging or helping with worked from Shetland to Dumfries and Galloway, 15,869 hours of volunteer time towards their Ardnamurchan peninsula is an which will enable our group to photography and guiding site on Neolithic chambered cairns to World War Adopt-a-Monument projects and a remarkable example of how fleet-of-foot become properly constituted, tours. All the volunteers found II airbases. No project is the same; each 47 monuments now under community Adopt-a-Monument projects better equipped, and even there was something they could stewardship across Scotland as a result of the community group has individual needs and ideas need to be. The group initially better trained for the future.” do to contribute even though about what they would like to achieve with their partnerships formed. requested training in graveyard In addition to our more they might have physical or Jon Haylett of Ardnamurchan History & project. This variety has required the team to recording but as their project traditional projects we also emotional issues to overcome. Heritage Association had this to say, “We value deliver flexible support and training – one size progressed, the scope of the provide opportunities for Since the excavation some the concept of Adopt-a-Monument – it harnesses does not fit all. project rapidly changed. In the people who are not normally of the servicemen with World the interest and energies of people like us while, Projects like Mellon Udrigle Hut Circle (near summer of 2015, involved with heritage or Wide Volunteering (now at the same time, training us to recognise our Gairloch, Wester Ross) needed help with funding Council advised that the archaeology to try out new renamed Step Forward) have limitations. While we care for two particular applications, content for an interpretation panel associated church was no activities. One such project started to volunteer with Adopt- 20 – ISSUE 26 SUMMER 2016 – 21 community projects

organisation. We have some exciting prospects ahead of us which we look forward to sharing with you in due course. In the meantime, we are still accepting projects on our prospects list so if you are interested in getting involved or finding out more, please get in touch with the team at adopt@ archaeologyscotland.org.uk In the meantime it’s Happy Birthday to us! Cara Jones, Adopt-a-Monument Project Manager Camas Nan Geall Adopt-a-Monument group – fi eld survey workshop © Archaeology Scotland Adopt-a-Monument team has included: Phil Richardson, Cara the Adopt-a-Monument Steering Historic Environment Scotland, The Jones, Biddy Simpson, Lachlan group and our amazing volunteers, McKeggie, Erin Farley, Somayyeh Highland Leader Fund, The Argyll who without, none of the above Mottaghi-Taromsari, Kate Phillips, and Bute Leader Fund and SSE Paul Murtagh and Fiona Watson. would have been possible. Sustainable Development Fund. The team wish to thank our Adopt-a-Monument has been Bressay Field survey training workshop © Archaeology Scotland Archaeology Scotland colleagues, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund,

a-Monument to help process and catalogue finds but archaeologically rich area. Without Adopt-a- from the excavation. The project was visited by Sir Monument’s cheerful enthusiasm and the training Peter Luff (Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund) as they have delivered, much of what we have part of his #LuffHeritage tour of HLF-supported achieved would have been impossible. They have projects. encouraged and supported us, assisted us with Partnership working has also been an important advice, and been a sounding-board for ideas.” part of this phase of Adopt-a-Monument, and The impact of Adopt-a-Monument isn’t just has included projects with Scottish Canals (Bairds restricted to our volunteers’ achievements; it Brae and Victoria Foundry), Scottish Waterways has hugely changed us as archaeologists and Trust (Canal College), Forestry Commission heritage practitioners. To compare ourselves in Scotland (Torwood Broch) and the Glasgow 2011 to the people we are now, it is impossible School of Art, Digital Design Studio (The not to notice the effect on us after working ACCORD project). Partnership working helps with such an amazing and dedicated volunteer expand the scope of activities delivered by Adopt- workforce. We think differently, we plan and a-Monument. For instance, the ACCORD project deliver our work differently. We have, without a helped us and our groups develop the necessary doubt, learnt so much. We are very keen to build skills to complete digital modelling of our sites on this knowledge and apply it to further stages of using low-cost or free software. Adopt-a-Monument in the future. We also recognise that an important element We know there is a demand for our services of our work is about building capacity within the and were delighted by the response to our voluntary sector at a local level. Many of our paper at the ARP conference in Galashiels which participants have already moved onto additional brought enquiries from a further eight potential heritage projects, taking the skills they have projects. This response perhaps highlights developed with us and applying them to other that we still have much work to do throughout archaeological or stewardship projects, as Jon Scotland and further afield. We must consider Haylett mentions: “[we are] a small group of how to take the scheme forward on a sustainable amateurs working on several projects in a remote basis and this is the current challenge for the Plane table survey with the Glendaruel Adopt-a-Monument group © Archaeology Scotland

22 – ISSUE 26 SUMMER 2016 – 23 community projects

Adopt-a-Monument Case Study: ‘If Streets Could Speak’ gains the first Heritage Hero Awards dopt-a-Monument We also worked with illustrator Mhairi M. Robertson, doesn’t just do traditional Greenock’s ‘I Youth Zone’ who fired their imagination Aprojects – we work during their weekly drop-in with her work. Results were with people of all ages and sessions for 16–25 year olds. presented in a variety of ways backgrounds in a variety of The ‘I Youth Zone’ is based from traditional photography, locations because we believe in an old post office building to comic book story boards everyone should have an equal which retains many of its and even a cool rap song! opportunity to explore their original features, including One of the volunteers rated the heritage. safes and barred windows. experience as “10/10 – would ‘If Streets Could Speak’ There is also a 19th-century do it again”. was one such project that brick building attached to the The work the young people aimed to reach out beyond main structure which meant were doing on their project traditional audiences. Based in that the volunteersAn didn’timportant have sitemeant from they qualified World for Warand I Inverclyde, this project worked to look far for examples of achieved an Archaeology with two different age groups Greenock’s past heritage. Scotland Heritage Heroes – a group of older residents Participants were encouraged Awards at Detective and Bronze and a much younger group to plan their project and Level – the first to be awarded drawn from Greenock and Port were introduced to online as part of our scheme which is Glasgow. The project ran over resources, map regression, currently being piloted across two phases, closely following monument recording and Scotland. Congratulations to each other, and worked with standing building survey. A all. several local partners including photogrammetry field trip to Fiona Isobel Watson, Adopt-a- Inverclyde Libraries, The explore other archaeology in Monument Project Officer McLean Museum, Inverclyde Greenock included a street Development Trust and well dated 1629 and this lovely Thanks go out to Pamela McLeod The excavations at Rouken Glen and the old Irn Bru bottle base © Archaeology Scotland Greenock’s ‘I Youth Zone’. The old site became a 3D digital (Greenock Central Library); Valerie Boa (McLean Museum) and Kevin concept was that participants model. The young people were McLeod (I Youth Zone). could study a street of their also visited by local heritage choice, choosing a favourite Made in Scotland building or feature to focus on if they wished. One nice aspect of the from Girders? project was that it gave older people an introduction t two excavation sites at Rouken to online resources (for Glen Country Park we were able to archaeological research, Ause ‘Irn Bru’ bottles to help us date archival and artefact studies) and verify materials found. excavations on the large bandstand and the chance to use digital Rouken Glen’s mansion house, a Barr’s rubber internal screw bottle photography and open-source Thornliebank House was demolished in stopper dating from the 1920s to 1950s was recorded in the rubble of the editing software to help them 1965 and in the sealing demolition layer external wall. This neatly dates the use explore their streets and present we found the base and sides of a Barr’s glass bottle. This design was used for of the site as it developed from a small their results. Subjects ranged Irn Bru bottles between 1954 and 1960 round structure to the bigger building from the streets people grew up and possibly relates to the last use of the that attracted large crowds who would on to warehouses once owned building and the period of demolition. come to listen to music on a summer’s by family members. The group By 1947 the first of the bandstands evening. discovered how much they had in the park had been removed and the NEWS SCOTLAND ARCHAEOLOGY in common and spent time Phil Richardson, Adopt-a-Monument other was remodelled in the 1920s Project Manager reminiscing and socialising. ‘If Streets Could Speak’ building survey workshop © Archaeology Scotland to create an amphitheatre. During 24 – ISSUE 26 SUMMER 2016 – 25 news

2016 Summer School, like-minded enthusiasts. Whether castles were Archaeology Scotland would like to thank Joyce your thing or not, there was plenty for everyone Kitching, HES Regional Tourism & Community Manager Airth, Stirlingshire to see and learn.” (Central) and Susan Mills, Clackmannanshire Museum Make a date for your diary and join us! Next and Heritage Service, for help with logistics regarding year’s summer school will be 19th–22nd May our visits to properties in care (Cambuskenneth Abbey, 2017. Doune Castle and Clackmannan Tower), and Eleanor Young and colleagues from Logie Old Graveyard Geoff Waters, Summer School Director Group for showing us the impressive results of their Our site guides for the weekend were Will Wyeth, ten-year project to raise funding and to conserve this Murray Cook, Strat Halliday and Eve Boyle. historic site. 30th Anniversary Year for Summer School Director he Archaeology Scotland visits with expert guides and also introduced to the recently Summer School participants visiting Torwood broch © G. Waters Summer School, held this evening lectures on related restored graveyard at Logie Old nce again a superb residential Summer course, reputedly belonged to Robert the Bruce at Tyear in Stirlingshire, was themes (including one held Kirk with its fine collection of School took place over a weekend in some point. Access was restricted in numbers so an important landmark for the in the historic castle building 16th–18th-century headstones. Director, Geoff Waters, and itself). Olate May. Over 80 people were inspired, by the time everyone had seen around it was too My personal favourite among Assistant Director, Alison Reid amused and informed by a variety of guides and late in the day to visit Coldoch Broch which will We travelled as far west as the site visits was Sheriffmuir (pictured). This was the 30th speakers to learn more about the archaeology have to wait for another day. A visit to Torwood Callander in search of the where we were shown the annual Summer School to be and heritage in Stirlingshire. The intention was to Broch did take place in the brilliant sunshine longest Neolithic long cairn remains of World War II visit a range of sites in rural Stirlingshire including of the afternoon. This is a broch on Forestry organised by Geoff, assisted by in Scotland, now sitting rather Alison in all but two of those practice works for the D-Day lesser known ones and some that have been Commission land that Adopt-a-Monument had incongruously in the middle landings. Here, on the open reinterpreted in recent years. years. Geoff and Alison are of a caravan park. In addition been working on the previous season and Murray moorland, there are concrete not employed by Archaeology to the actual Iron Age broch The event was based at Airth Castle Hotel, Cook, Stirling Council archaeologist, was glad to replicas of the German coastal Scotland and do this work in an at Torwood (rather than its which describes itself as a ‘plush hotel and spa’ give everyone the tour. defences in Normandy, built to entirely voluntary capacity. sugar paste model), there in Stirlingshire and was centrally placed to visit Castles abound in Stirlingshire but an unusual This remarkable record were visits to three Medieval allow troops to develop and all the chosen sites. There were too many people one is Sir John de Graham’s Castle, a fine for Geoff and Alison was castles, including special practice the techniques that for everyone to stay at the hotel so many were example of the square motte, a relatively rare celebrated during the Summer access to Clackmannan Tower, were ultimately successful in scattered around nearby B&Bs. This, like every type of medieval earthwork, where our guide was School by the presentation of generously arranged by Historic June 1944. summer school, certainly makes a substantial Will Wyeth (University of Stirling/HES). a specially decorated cake, contribution to the local economy. Environment Scotland. We were Stephen Carter Evening lectures included topics such as mottes which was topped by a scale The event began with dinner and an after- and timber towers (Will Wyeth), the strategic model of the broch at Torwood dinner lecture on the Friday night and the next importance of Stirling (Murray Cook), and Forts, – a site that we had visited day the tour began. Two whole days of field Frontiers and the ‘Atlas of Hillforts of Britain’, a earlier the same day. The cake excursions included several castles, Logie Old recent work by Strat Halliday with the University was presented by Denis Peel, Kirk, Cambuskenneth Abbey, two lowland of Oxford. a long-standing member of brochs, a prehistoric stone row, the longest the Summer School who has By popular demand, Eve Boyle (HES) chambered long cairn in Britain and the MoD attended almost all of Geoff’s presented a most amusing, lavishly illustrated talk World War II ‘Atlantic Wall’ on Sheriffmuir. The events. summarising the whole weekend for us all, using group were impressed by the sheer size of the The Summer School was military installation that was a mock-up of anti- photographs largely taken during the weekend itself. established back in 1952 by invasion defence and measures 86m by 3m high, what was then the Scottish incongruously sitting in the middle of the moor. After breakfast on the Monday there were two section of the Council for British An exclusive visit to Clackmannan Tower optional walks, one with Strat Halliday to visit the Archaeology, and it has visited included access to the interior, a privilege not fort on Dumyat hill or with Geoff Bailey (Falkirk a different part of Scotland given to the general public. Permission had been Community Trust) for a walk from the hotel every year since that date. granted by HES, and Susan Mills from Clacks around Airth village and old church. This year’s event was based at Council was the guide. The tower may date back David Sowerby, a new boy to the Summer the Airth Castle Hotel with the to the 14th century with later additions and, of School clan, said “It was great to spend time with usual busy programme of site 26 – ISSUE 26 SUMMER 2016 – 27 news A Day in The Borders 60-second Interview This year’s ARP conference in Galashiels Dr Coralie Mills, Dendrochronicle

n Saturday 28 May we monumental sculptors in chance to stretch legs and see welcomed over 100 Galashiels, given by the great- more of this historical burgh. First of all we should maybe clarify what Odelegates and speakers grand-daughter of the man Thank you to all who attended dendrochronology is. to the annual Archaeological who set up the business. on the day and to our sponsors, Research in Progress (ARP) A great lunchtime walk, Historic Environment Scotland, When a tree has been cut down you can see conference. Run jointly with the organised by Murray Dickson GUARD Archaeology, Forestry that it has grown in a series of rings. Each ring Society of Antiquaries Scotland represents a year of growth, and its thickness from the Old Gala Club and Commission Scotland and WhatWhat sortsort of prapracticalctical applicationsapplications doesdoes it was the first time ARP had his colleagues, gave us a Scottish Borders Council. depends on the growing conditions at that site been to the town of Galashiels in that year. Thus two good years followed by a dendrochronology have today? What would be a and our programme reflected poor one would produce two wide rings and a typical project for you to be involved with? this venture into Borders thin one. In this way a ring pattern is laid down, I don’t really have a ‘typical’ project, but one country. like a bar code, and is unique to a particular interesting project is investigating the landscape Opening remarks from period in time. One would expect most trees history of Killearn Glen wood, to find out the age Councillor Sandy Aitchison of a particular species to respond in a similar of some representative trees. This week I have made us all feel very welcome way across a woodland. This allows us to build been preparing core samples we took with an and Beverley Ballin Smith, up a chronology for a site by measuring the increment corer, which extracts a piece of wood President of Archaeology ring width sequences of a number of trees and the thickness of a pencil, without damaging the Scotland and Dr David matching and averaging them together to form tree. This lets you age the tree to determine the Caldwell, President of the a reference chronology. Reference chronologies date of planting phases, for example, and along Society of Antiquaries of can be extended back in time by overlapping with the form of the old trees allows the history Scotland chaired the sessions with successively older material from the same of woodland management to be uncovered. that included Dr Chris Bowles, area. Comparing the pattern of rings on a I’m particularly enjoying this project because it Scottish Borders Council piece of archaeological timber with a range of involves working with the local community and archaeologists and our own reference chronologies provides a date at which they are very engaged and interested. Adopt-a-Monument team. the piece of a wood was a living, growing tree, Archaeology Scotland does a lot of work with Dr John Reid’s update on the and also indicates where the timber came from, communities, through our Adopt a Monument project at Burnswark is featured a technique known as dendro-provenancing. initiative and our Heritage Hero Award. There is a in the July issue of Current This is important in Scotland because so much lot of interest in the past, why do you think this is? Archaeology magazine where of the timber we see in old buildings has been you can read more about this imported. I think many people are particularly interested in the recent past and in aspects of the historic project; Anne Crone from So in archaeology we use tree-ring patterns AOC Archaeology gave a talk landscape with which they have a connection. from timber in buildings to date the construction For example, I was involved in a community on the work at the Black Loch of the building and to determine the source of Myrton and Matt Ritchie of heritage project in Arrochar, near Loch Lomond, of the timber. Also, we use dendrochronology where we dated some tree features around an Forest Enterprise Scotland gave to date features of the landscape. In Scotland a run through recent survey old settlement, including an overgrown hawthorn we are still in the Research and Development hedge which we discovered had been planted at work in the Tweed Valley Forest phase because we are still building up the Park. the time of the last inhabitant, a shepherd, who native reference chronologies we need to date lived there in the early years of the 20th century. We crossed over the Border many of our tree-ring samples. Often it is more with a look at the route ways straightforward to date and provenance imported Woodland history brings us to your involvement to Flodden, the Peregrini timber than our own native material. with the Native Woodland Discussion Group. Lindisfarne Community Currently, I am a part-time research fellow Ah yes, they hold an annual conference for Archaeology project, Life and working as part of a team in the University of anyone interested in the history and management Death before and after the St Andrews on the SCOT2K project. We are of woodland. They also run an annual excursion, Romans and rediscovering the developing a network of native Scots pine which I am just back from, where we look at Barrowburn Mill in Coquetdale. reference chronologies for climatic reconstruction woodland from a perspective which includes Two very local projects were and to allow us to date pine timbers. We are ecology, history and management. There are the Shootinglee dig, and a using a mixture of living trees, old trees preserved around 200 members of the group and our very moving account of the in lochs, and timbers in historic buildings to emphasis is on North Britain, more information is family’s loves and losses linked to George Sutherland’s, ARP 2016 guided walk around Galashiels © Archaeology Scotland create reference chronologies over the last 2000 available on their website www.nwdg.org.uk years. 28 – ISSUE 26 SUMMER 2016 – 29 books

St Kilda: The Last and Outmost Isle Angela Gannon and Kilda website (www.kilda.org. Crofting Community – 1780– easier, and several of the my friend Jonathan tells of George Geddes, 2015. uk). 1930’ (Chapter 6), revealing houses in the village have been frequent visitors on cruise ships, that the island group was much restored for use by researchers and describes the wonders of Hardback, 224 pages Jonathan’s predecessor was less ‘remote’ and isolated in the studying the seabirds, sheep watching gannets dive, from ISBN 978-1-902419-91-6 George Geddes, who has co- past than we might imagine it and other animals, and the the comfort of his kitchen. Life authored this very fine book, a Historic Environment to have been. archaeology. The remainder continues on St Kilda, thanks truly beautiful volume, hugely of the book is dedicated to to the dedication of interested Scotland, £25 readable and informative, very Chapter 7 details the recent history of St Kilda. The islands images of St Kilda, from the scientists, and thanks to the nicely produced but much more RCAHMS archives, arranged strategic military position of the than a coffee table book. were bequeathed to the very few years a job is National Trust for Scotland in themes, such as landscape, archipelago. I can recommend Both authors researched and advertised for the post of (NTS) by the 5th Marquis St Kildans, and tourism. A this excellent book to anyone wrote this book while working St Kilda archaeologist, of Bute in 1956, then the brief description precedes the who would like to know St E for the Royal Commission wonderful photographs, all of Kilda better whether from the employed by the National Trust following year were designated for Ancient and Historical for Scotland (NTS). And every as a National Nature Reserve. which are well annotated. perspective of an archaeologist, Monuments of Scotland time, I, and no doubt many The establishment of a military Today, through the medium naturalist or historian. (RCAHMS), now part of Historic other archaeologists, stop base there around the same of Facebook and his blog, Environment Scotland. An Review by Jennifer Thoms for a few minutes and dream scant,scant, evidence forfor prehistoricprehistoric time made the activities of the important, and delightful, part about the chance to work occupation of the islands. NTS and the naturalists much of the book is the extensive on this magical, mysterious Ancient tools have been found, collection of beautiful photos place for a summer or two. made with local stone, which from the RCAHMS archives. When you are as interested in are similar to ones found in sea birds as I am it seems a The first chapter looks at the Neolithic contexts elsewhere. particularly attractive job, the work that RCAHMS has done Flakes of worked and unworked deserted village, the ancient on St Kilda over the years, then flint, a resource that is not breed of sheep and the scenery the second chapter deals more available locally, indicate early would be extra attractions. I broadly with the discoveries contact with people or places am delighted that my friend and research done by other remote from the archipelago. and former colleague here archaeologists and antiquaries Several other tantalising hints at Archaeology Scotland, over the years. Using parallels of evidence of early prehistoric Jonathan Wordsworth, currently from Orkney and the Outer occupation of St Kilda are holds the post, and his blog Hebrides, the third chapter described and discussed, but can be found on the NTS St details the fascinating, if the only firm archaeological evidence currently available dates from the Iron Age, with a souterrain and a few possible dwelling houses being known. Most have been thoroughly ‘investigated’ by locals and visitors in the past, long before archaeological recording techniques reached today’s high standard, so the little remaining evidence is enigmatic. Continuing to use the well documented and extensively researched archaeology of the Western Isles as parallels, chapters 4 to 6 describe the history of the island group from ‘Clerics, Clans and Cultivators – AD 400–1600’ (Chapter 4), A small selection of ‘postcards’ from Jonathan through to ‘The Making of the © J. Wordsworth 30 – ISSUE 26 SUMMERSUMMER 2016 2016 – – 31 31 Scotland’s Community Heritage Conference(s!)

2016 To book Tel: 0300 012 9878 www.archaeologyscotland.org.uk

ay 12th Nov urd emb Sat er Aberdeen demy Aca yr une A 25th J ay urd y 17th Sep at -5pm urda tem S 0am at be 1 S ban r O

ƌĐŚĂĞŽůŽŐLJ^ĐŽƚůĂŶĚͮ^ƚƵĂƌƚ,ŽƵƐĞͮ^ƚĂƟŽŶZŽĂĚͮDƵƐƐĞůďƵƌŐŚͮ,ϮϭϳW 0300 012 9878| [email protected] | www.archaeologyscotland.org.uk ŽŵƉĂŶLJZĞŐŝƐƚĞƌĞĚŝŶ^ĐŽƚůĂŶĚEŽ͘ϮϲϮϬϱϲͮZĞŐŝƐƚĞƌĞĚ^ĐŽƫƐŚŚĂƌŝƚLJEŽ͘^ϬϬϭϳϮϯ