Author name: Acfa Editor

A group of seven ACFA members spent a windy but sunny Tuesday getting to grips flying a kite with added photographic duties.  The preserved iron age landscape on South Moorhouse Farm rang to the sound of laughter as members tackled an activity most had not taken part in since childhood.  Eventually the kite was successfully launched and after its maiden flight the camera was attached and a trial set of photographs was taken.

The concensus was that this had been a very successful introduction but that more experience was required to judge the height required for good aerial shots and a second trip to the farm will take place soon.

Acfa’s longest running survey, of Glen Lochay, finally has its end in sight in its twentyfifth year.  Survey Director Dugie MacInnes expects that this year should complete the survey with the last of the high sheilings being recorded this Spring.  Members who would like to take part and are feeling super-fit, access to the survey sites will require a good deal of walking, will find dates and further information in the Members’ Area.

Rouken Glen Park has been awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund Parks for People grant and is undertaking a programme of events and activities that will explore and record the rich cultural heritage contained within the park.  Part of the Digit! 2015 programme encouraging and celebrating archaeology in Scotland, this project offers an opportunity to get hands-on with surveys and excavations.  Further information can be found here.

ACFA is delighted to have been provided with a kite aerial photography (KAP) kit by the Scottish National Aerial Photography Scheme (SNAPS)administered by John Wells in memory of the late Rosie Wells.  Kits are donated to schools and other educational organisations to promote the use of archaeological photographic survey using kite mounted cameras.  

ACFA members will shortly be getting to grips with kite flying and taking effective aerial photographs.  It is hoped to make the first use of the kit on the forthcoming Kildonan, Skye, survey.  Members who would like to train to use this exciting new kit should look at the Members’ Area for information.

Historic Environment Scotland, the new body formed by the amalgamation of the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments (RCAHMS) and Historic Scotland, has announced its founding board.  Jane Ryder OBE, former Chief Executive of the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator and Chair of Arts and Business Scotland, has been appointed as its first Chair.  A full list of Board members and further information can found at http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Historic-Environment-Scotland-Board-1507.aspx

Members at the Annual General Meeting on November 1 voted to accept the committee’s recommendation that ACFA should become an SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation).   Having completed her term of office Chairperson Carol Primrose was replaced in the position by Dugie MacInnes.  Two new members, Elaine Black and Richard Anderson, joined the committee.  Carol was thanked for her hard work during a period when she oversaw ACFA’s response to changes in archaeology in Scotland.

Wendy Raine retired from editing the newsletter after several years which have seen the newsletter prosper.  She will be replaced in a job sharing arrangement by Ian Marshall and Richard Anderson.

Several members of ACFA participated as volunteers on this Archaeology Scotland run dig at Rouken Glen.

The site is recorded on a 1789 estate plan as a feature on the side of the gorge below the settlement of Rookend, one of the oldest in the modern park.

Trenches opened at either end of the small structure elucidated the probable site of the mill wheel and pit, and half of an impressive millstone but as always problems and conundrums in the nature of the working mill and its lades.

Internally potential deep layers of rubble obscured any  attempt to reach the work floors but planning and analysis clearly indicated a more complex building history than its modest appearance suggests .

Terrain laid down for a possible return and plans for a fuller topographic campaign in October.

Volunteers: Ian Marshall, Susan Hunter, Ross Wallace, Margaret Gardiner and Libby King. Director: Phil Richardson Site Supervisor: Paul Murtagh.

Sponsor: Archaeology Scotland.

A new season of surveys begins in September concentrating on the high shielings on the north side of the glen above Duncroisk.  A full list of dates can be found on the survey page and members can find futher details in the Members’ Area.

Following an assessment carried out on the site by ACFA members, an excavation is planned to explore the origin and form of this severely ruined building.  Rouken Glen Park has been awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund Parks for People grant and is undertaking a programme of events and activities that will explore and record the rich cultural heritage contained within the park. This excavation will focus on determining the location and date of the former Rook End Mill. For more information and to book a place on the week-long excavation starting on Sunday August 24, which will run each day from 10am, contact p.richardson@archaeologyscotland.org.uk . Members can find more information in the Members’ Area.

ACFA was represented at the recent Archaeology Day at the National Trust for Scotland’s Greenbank House on the southside of Glasgow.  There were a number of activities for people to try including three exploratory trenches, clay pipe making workshops and a children’s sand excavation. A number of other archaeology and history groups were represented.  Unfortunately the weather wasn’t kind and the competing attractions of the Commonwealth Games led to lower attendance than hoped.