Author name: Acfa Editor

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.

ACFA recently contributed to a consultation on a review of Treasure Trove in Scotland.  The revised code of practice that resulted is now available at http://www.qltr.gov.uk/content/code-practice-treasure-trove-scotland-0 .

Volunteers are being sought for two days of surveying on Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th July. The main target will be a walk through the Mount Stuart grounds (just the coastal strip), starting at Kerrycroy and working south. Further details for members can be found in the Members’ Area.  Other expressions of interest should be sent to the secretary acfacommittee@gmail.com . The church in the abolished village of Scoulag is pictured below. 

In one of the best weeks enjoyed so far this spring, a team of nine returned to Rona, to complete the survey of the final township of Doire na Guaile in the far south of the island. As this involved a walk – in of almost an hour each day, it was planned that work and recovery days would be spaced out, and believed that with about 40 structures to plan at 1:100, we would we looking at a two year programme.

In the event, the unparalleled weather and the enthusiasm of the teams meant that the whole settlement was planned in three days, and some teams even returned for a fourth to extend the survey to a neighbouring tidal islet, and to survey some newer settlement revealed during the walks in.

Libby King, Margaret Gardiner and Ian Marshall were co-directors, Dr Heather James as photographer and ‘boldly – goer’, Richard Anderson, Sue Hothersall, Stuart McKey, Dugie and Anne McInnes. With the free days, parties returned to Braigh and the north tip of the island – and highlights of the social calendar included the annual baited creel competition, the best in show creel, local stone and ropework display competition (won by Skyescape Cottage by not telling anyone there was a competition) and an epic croquet game with no rules barred tournament.

Good company and five days of glorious spring sun have encouraged discussion on a final return to mop up and eliminate some of the remoter bays and islets, as well as the environs of Acairseid Mhor next year.

Another group of would-be field archaeologists took part in this year’s weekend field survey course in association with Glasgow University’s Centre for Open Studies.  Held on Saturday and Sunday of the May holiday weekend the weather wasn’t as kind as last year but nothing dampened the group’s enthusiasm.

After a classroom-based introduction the group embarked on a guided walk round the archaeological highlights of Pollok Park including a never previously surveyed enigmatic stone garden feature.  On the Sunday three survey teams were formed, each under the supervision of an ACFA tutor, and set to work getting to grips with the skills of surveying and drawing.  The teams proved that they had ‘the right stuff’ by working through torrential rain until they had completed their drawings.