Dundee on the 31St May 2014

ARGYLL AND BUTE mAKInG A DIffeRenCe CommUnITY GRoUPS In ACTIon i Since the first volume in 1947Discovery and excavation in Scotland (DES) has played a vitally important role in Scottish archaeology. Each new issue offers a simple way to keep up to date with current work in the field, and the back issues provide a research tool for anyone seeking information about the archaeology of Scotland. The full run of DES is now available digitally, with the exception of the most recent two volumes. These are available in print form/digitally to members of Archaeology Scotland. All volumes from 1947 onwards are available as PDF files. They may be downloaded for research and teaching purposes but must not be resold or made available on any other website or any other medium with or without charge, unless with the prior written consent of Archaeology Scotland and the relevant copyright holders. The digital archive may be accessed via a link on the Archaeology Scotland website. DES is not intended as a medium for final publication. It is a reference work, an annual summary of activity in technical form. A fuller account will eventually appear in print elsewhere, and/or further detailed records will be deposited with the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS: formerly referred to as NMRS) and in the appropriate museum service. It is a condition of Historic Scotland funding that entries should be supplied for publication in DES. Archaeology Scotland publishes DES as a service to its members and to archaeology generally. It is aimed at a readership with a specialist interest in archaeology and welcomes contributions from all sectors of the archaeological community. Discovery and excavation in Scotland (DES) is launched each year at the Archaeological Research in Progress conference (ARP), organised by Archaeology Scotland and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. DES 2013 was launched at the ARP conference in Dundee on the 31st May 2014. The next volume will be published at the end of May 2015. DES is sent each year to Archaeology Scotland members who choose enhanced membership. Our new online reporting form is now live and you may contribute to DES using it. For guidance on how to use the form please read the information provided here. If you have any questions please contact Dr Paula Milburn who will be happy to offer guidance and support. We accept appropriate accounts of all forms of archaeological discoveries including: • Assessments • Environmental studies • Evaluations • Excavations • Fieldwalking • Finds studies • Geophysical or other field survey • Historic building survey • Public access projects including Adopt-a-Monument and SRP • Records of chance finds • Watching briefs The closing date for entries for the next edition of DES is 15� November each year. ii mAKInG A DIffeRenCe CommUnITY GRoUPS In ACTIon To celebrate the Scottish Community Heritage Conference we are pleased to present reports showcasing the work undertaken by community groups associated with Archaeology Scotland’s Adopt-a-Monument project. A big thank you goes to the Adopt-a-Monument team (Cara Jones, Paul Murtagh, Phil Richardson and Fiona Isobel Watson) for their assistance with the reports. The publication also contains summaries from some of the other community groups who have been working on Scottish sites in 2013–14 and have reported via the new AS online reporting form. All of the reports were submitted via the new online reporting form for our journal – Discovery and excavation in Scotland. The online form, information on the project and access to the back copies of our journal, which has been in production since 1947, may be found via our website at www.archaeologyscotland.org.uk. 1 ARGYLL AND BUTE ARGYLL AND BUTE Kilcalmonell Tarbert Castle Phase 1 Desk-based assessment, field visit and survey Robert McPhail – Tarbert and Skipness Community Trust The topographic survey NR 86770 68730 The Adopt-a-Monument The work consisted of a desk-based at Tarbert Castle in (AaM) team was approached by the Tarbert assessment, undertaken by Kilmartin progress (Copyright and Skipness Community Trust to help find House Museum; a site visit and topographic AaM, Archaeology out more about the castle (Canmore ID: survey by local volunteers; laser scanning Scotland) 39316; SMR ID: 3906). Tarbert Castle and geophysical survey by Northlight is located on a prominent hilltop ridge Heritage; and engagement sessions with overlooking the fishing village of Tarbert. primary and secondary schools by the AaM It dates from at least the 13th century and team. The engagement work resulted in an comprises the substantial remains of a information leaflet produced by the local 13th-century double walled courtyard set children for castle visitors, an excavation within a much larger, 14th-century curtain and an open evening. This work was wall. Along the SE side of the curtain wall undertaken as part of the 2011–16 Adopt- is the standing remains of a 15th-century a-Monument Scheme. tower. To the west of the castle are the remains of what is believed to be the Archive and report: Archaeology Scotland medieval burgh that surrounded the castle. Funder: Heritage Lottery Fund, Adopt-a- A programme of work was undertaken, Monument (in kind), Tarbert and Skipness 1 September 2011 – 1 September 2013, Community Trust and Argyll and Islands which aimed to encourage the local LEADER Fund community to engage with the castle, to raise awareness of it to a wider audience, and to improve access and interpretation of the castle. 2 ARGYLL AND BUTE Kilfinichen and Kilvickeon Kilvickeon Church and Graveyard Vegetation clearance, recording of tombstones and interpretation Rosie Burgess, Phil Richardson and Biddy Simpson – The Ross of Mull Historical Centre Work in progress at NM 41198 19621 The Ross of Mull Historical Centre approached Kilvickeon Church the Adopt-a-Monument (AaM) team for support with vegetation (Copyright AaM, clearance, recording and interpretation of this 13th-century church Archaeology Scotland) site (Canmore ID: 21972; SMR ID 448). They were interested in conserving and maintaining the church, in finding ways to promote the site and provide improved access and interpretation information for local residents and visitors. The group worked with AaM and Historic Scotland, 1 September 2011 – 1 September 2013, to determine the condition of the church, identify ways of consolidating the building, and remove vegetation from the graveyard. Research was undertaken on the potential early origins of the church and burial ground, and different forms of on and off-site interpretation. The project also recorded the gravestone memorial inscriptions. Archive and report: Archaeology Scotland and RCAHMS (intended) Funder: Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland, Scottish Government, European Community Argyll and Islands Highland LEADER 2007–13 3 ARGYLL AND BUTE Kilmore and Kilbride Kilbride Kirkyard Survey and evaluation Bob Irving – The MacDougall of Dunollie Preservation Trust Left to right: NM 85694 25705 A graveyard survey, possibly two Loch Awe style carving on Kilbride Kirkyard including a condition and measured sandstone (Figures 1 and 2), one Iona style Figure 1 and 2 – survey of the gravestones commenced carving on slate and one Loch Awe style Detail from a West in 2013 as an Adopt-a-Monument and carving also on slate. Highland grave slab Dunollie Preservation Trust project. In the A sand coloured sandstone slab with uncovered in the Upper 2013 season a team of eight volunteers irregular surface contours and markings on Public Burial section located and recorded 200 gravestones, the exposed upper surface (Figure 3) was railed enclosure including several West Highland discovered laying in the upper (western) Sculptured Monuments or fragments part of the graveyard during the survey. Kilbride Kirkyard (DES 2013, 53–54). The markings on the visible exposed upper Figure 3 – Sandstone The 2014 season saw a continuation surface were compared to markings on slab with surface of the measured survey and condition Ogham stones and referred to experts in the markings reporting project for the graveyard and the field. On further examination of the slab, gravestones in the historic public graveyard markings were found on an adjacent side at Kilbride. We have recorded the presence, to the exposed markings when the edge condition, location and inscriptions. was examined in further detail from the Previous reports had documented the top; however, the extent of these markings presence but not the locations of the needs to be determined and this may only medieval West Highland Monuments be achieved by excavating down this side, (Inventory for Argyll, RCAHMS Vol II p142); or by raising the stone. Whatever the origin or had recorded the genealogical data from of the slab, its location in the upper part of the more recently inscribed gravestones, the graveyard with other laying slabs, some but not accurately transcribed it. This year 14th–15th-century West Highland Grave further grave slabs were identified and the Monuments (Loch Awe and Iona styled unstable nature of the SSW side of the hill carving) and an orientation aligned with with the slippage of the graves, headstones the other slabs, indicate that this latest use and grave slabs recorded. was probably as a grave slab. This stone The survey identified the locations of has not been documented previously by 13 medieval West Highland Monuments, others who have reported on the graveyard of which four are in excellent condition; (Inventory for Argyll, RCAHMS Vol II p142, 4 ARGYLL AND BUTE and Steer and Dixon notes), but this may Kilninian and Kilmore be due to its slightly sunken position in relation to the surrounding features Baliscate Chapel (grave slabs). As there are few examples of Ogham Stones in Scotland, this should Survey, excavation and preservation be examined in more detail to confirm or Jean Whittaker, Hylda Marsh and Olive Brown – Mull Museum otherwise whether it is an Ogham stone.

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