Crannogs
Langbank Crannogs Survey
Weather finally being favourable the second trip planned to survey and check on the condition of crannogs in the Clyde went ahead last week.
Acfa had been approached late last autumn by Scotland’s Coastal at Heritage at Risk Project (SCHARP) with a request to take a look at how erosion was affecting crannogs along the shores of the Clyde. A group led by Ian Marshall investigated the well-known site of Dumbuck in November but bad weather had delayed a visit to the Langbank crannogs on the south side of the river.
After lunch in the nearby Wheelhouse, and at low tide two groups set off, again under Ian Marshall’s direction, to survey the sites of Langbank East and West. It was a bright clear afternoon and the condition of the sites were soon updated for the SCHARP database and website. Along the way a relic of the Whysman Festival from 2012, celebrating the life and work of the late Greenock artist George Wyllie, was discovered. One of a series referencing George’s trademark question marks installed along the Clyde by Alec Galloway, the deteriorating artwork was left to take its place amongst the archaeology of the river.
Online Courses to Add to Your Skill Set
Two new free online courses are starting on February 1st of interest to archaeologists, one, Antiquities Trafficking and Art Crime, draws from archaeology, criminology, art history and law covering cutting-edge research into art’s seedy underworld. The other, Shipwrecks and Submerged Worlds: Maritime Archaeology, will teach how maritime archaeology investigates our changing relationship with the oceans and seas, from 2.5m years ago until today.
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/shipwrecks
Links to both courses can also be found in the Events section at the top right of the home page.
Photographic Competition 2015
This year’s competition attracted a large number of entries covering a wide archaeological range both geographically and by period. First prize, and winner of the ACFA Memorial Quaich, went to Janie Munro for Demolition of St Oswald’s School Glasgow, Archaeology of the future, second was Dugie MacInnes with Monarch of the Glen, and third was Fred Hay and Asparas (Heavenly) Dancers at Angkor Watt Cambodia. Other entries can be viewed in the Gallery section.
New Survey Starts in Kilsyth Hills
On a bright sunny November Sunday a group of ACFA members set off to start a 
new survey in the hills behind Kilsyth. Further information can be found in the survey section.
Kilsyth
A survey of the Kilsyth Hills started in November 2105. This work has been instigated now that the large Glen Lochay survey is coming to an end and thus there will be gaps in th
e year between other proposed surveys, such as Tiree, when little or no fieldwork will take place.
The Kilsyth Hills are noted for their extensive areas of rig but two small ‘shieling’ groups have been found above the old head dykes. Other features include millstone extraction sites and the deserted farmstead of Drumtrocher.
New look for AGM
Members gathered for a new style annual general meeting, a lunchtime event at a new venue, Glasgow Council for Voluntary Service’s Albany Centre, with a new caterer. The changes were met with approval from members who deemed them a success.
Chairperson, Dugie MacInnes, welcomed members and reported on a busy ACFA year with a number of surveys and participation in archaeological activities in co-operation with other organisations.
Dugie presented winner of the photography competition, Janie Munro, with the ACFA Memorial Quaich.
Annual General Meeting
This year’s annual general meeting is to be held on Saturday Nov 7. After many years at the STUC Centre in Woodlands Road the venue for the AGM is moving to the GCVS Albany Centre, Woodlands Suite in Ashley Street. Along with the new venue goes a new format of a lunchtime meeting. All members and associate members are invited to attend and a booking form and other papers can be found in the Members’ Area.