News

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.  

A day visit to the SERF excavations at Forteviot has been proposed for either the 27th or 28th June. More details can be found in the Members’ Area.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, has announced the establishment of a Strategic Forum for Scotland’s Historic Environment which will facilitate the closer working of heritage organisations and other bodies to ensure Scotland’s historic environment is understood, valued, cared for, protected and enhanced. 

Historic Environment Scotland is the name of the new lead public body to be formed from the merger of Historic Scotland and RCAHMS. Information on the strategy can be found here .

Stage 1 of the Bill and the report will be debated in the Parliament on the afternoon of Thursday June 19 following which, if Parliament agrees, the Bill will proceed to Stage 2 where amendments can be proposed.  This stage is expected to begin in mid August. Any MSP, or preferably a member of the Education and Culture Committee, can be approached to propose an amendment.  Information on the Bill and report can be found here and here.

ACFA contributed to the original consultation (available in the Members’ Area) but if any member has comments on the report or would like to suggest amendments to the  Bill as described above please contact the committee.  acfacommittee@gmail.com