Archae

ology
Adopt-a-Monument I s s u e 4
B u l l e t i n J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 8

A tower, a temple and some rather wet feet...

AaM reports on recent developments in the Outer Hebrides
This issue...
[North Uist]
Adopt-a-Monument North Uist’s Access Archaeology
in the Western Group are gearing up for an ambitious project
Isles to restore Scolpaig Tower, a Georgian folly
situated on a small crannog and built over the
remains of an Iron Age dun. The tower was built in
AaM:1993 1836 by Dr Alexander MacLeod, Estate factor and
We revisit well known local improver. The name Scolpaig
Ardnadam Heritage derives from the Old Norse Scolpvik, or ‘Scolp
Trail Bay’ (a Scolp was a large Hebridean coastal vessel
This photograph was taken with a camera suspended from a
similar to the Norse karfi and probably relates to a
kite! (copyright James Gentles Remote Camera Ltd).
AaM News: landing point along the coast nearby).
Community
Archaeology Conservation Architect Campbell McKenzie with Donnie [Harris]
Johnson and Ruth Thomas at Scolpaig (15.01.08)
Conference 2009, AaM has also joined an exciting new
Resources for Landscape Partnership Scheme being taken
groups, training forward by Harris Development Ltd. If
opportunities, successful, a raft of conservation projects will work to
and more... safeguard and promote the unique heritage of the
island. Rubh ’An Teampull, (also known as Toe Head
Temple) is a small medieval chapel occupying
arguably one of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes at
Northton. The chapel sits on the remains of a broch
and is yards away from evidence for Mesolithic
activity in the form of eroding coastal middens. The
local Harris Archaeology Group are working with
Western Isles Council Conservation Architect Harris Development, AaM, and Birmingham
Campbell McKenzie met with members of Access University to develop their proposal to arrest the
Archaeology and the AaM Officer last week to decline of the building and to investigate eroding Iron
discuss proposals for consolidating the structure. Age deposits near the temple.
The tower can only now be reached by boat, since
Rubh ‘An Teampull, Northton, Harris,
storms in 2005 blocked the normal drainage of the
loch and raised the level above the island’s
causeway (the title of this piece refers to difficulties
involved in freeing the boat from the loch shallows!)
The group are preparing funding bids to restore
access to the tower and to use its interior to display
information about the natural and cultural heritage of
this beautiful area of North Uist. The group expect
the results of their funding bids before June so work
can get underway before the winter. Watch this
space for updates…
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New lease of life for Ardnadam Heritage Trail?

[Argyll and Bute]
Cowal Archaeological and
Historical Society (CAHS) are no
A b o v e stranger to AaM, since creating the
E v e l y n , M a r g a r e t Ardnadam Heritage Trail near
a n d D e r e k d i s c u s s
Dunoon in 1983 with help from the
o p t i o n s a t
A r d n a d a m original scheme. The trail, which
passes by a series of archaeological
sites ranging from Neolithic to 19th
century sites, has proved popular
amongst locals and tourists over
the last 15 years. As a result the
original path network has been
rendered less accessible through
wear and tear, particularly for those
with limited mobility. That's where
the British Trust for Conservation recognition and survey skills
Volunteers (BTCV.org) has for participating BTCV
stepped in. BTCV hope to work volunteers.
with the CAHS and AaM to
For more information about
upgrade the trail, and to this end
Breathing Spaces visit
an application to the BBC
www.breathingspacescotland.
Breathing Spaces programme has
co.uk
been submitted with a result
expected in late May. Funding is Find out more about BTCV at
also being sought for regular www.BTCV.org.uk/Scotland
BTCV work parties to assist
CAHS in keeping the trail and its
many archaeological sites free
from vegetation on a yearly basis.
This will be a conservation project
with a heritage twist, providing
train ing in archaeological

NEWS
Adopt-a- Community Archaeology Conference planned for 2009
Monument CSA has teamed up with East Lothian Council to help host an exciting national conference on Community
Bulletin Archaeology in Scotland. The conference will run over two days in February 2009 and will feature a
representative snap-shot of the diverse range of community projects currently underway across the country.
Opportunities will also be made available for groups or individuals to display stands of information about
their projects. The second day will include a series of practical workshops covering issues such as how to
find funding, legislation affecting projects, and recruiting volunteers.

The conference will provide a great opportunity for AaM groups to meet one another and to discuss projects
and share ideas and experience. Do you have any ideas for workshop sessions? This might includes subjects
where you feel you can offer your experience to others, as well as areas where you would like more
guidance for your own project. Email your ideas to Helen (details on page 3).

NEW Heritage Paths Project

Rights of Way charity Scotways (Scotways.com) has launched the Heritage Paths Project, which is busily
identifying old paths and routes throughout Scotland. Examples so far include The Roman Road, Dere Street,
which ran from York to Ardoch and the Drove Road which ran from Shieldhill near Falkirk to the Cauldstane
Slap. Do you have information about a local heritage path (perhaps one that your AaM project could link
with?) Scotways can provide professional advice and support on setting up a trail, access issues and also offer
limited funds to assist with signage. Contact project officer Neil Ramsay for more information:
heritagepaths@scotways.com. (0131 558 7123).

A d o p t - a - M o n u m e n t
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C a l l a n a i s S t o n e
C i r c l e
p h o t o g r a p h e d
J a n u a r y 2 0 0 8
NEWS cont...
AaM Group nominated for archaeology award
AaM has nominated the Unst Archaeology Group for the prestigious
Marsh Archaeology Award. The award recognizes and supports
high standards of archaeological work undertaken by community
groups in the UK and is supported jointly by the Council for British
Archaeology and the Marsh Christian Trust. For more information
about the Unst project visit www.shorewatch.co.uk/unst.html.
For information about the Marsh Award visit
www.britarch.ac.uk/cba/awards/marshaward.html (l-r) Jan, Harry, Jean and Jan at Sandwick

Training Opportunities:
Scottish Museums Council Learning and Access courses:
Oral History—21.02.08. (Email Lucy@scottishmuseums.org.uk)

EVOC (Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations council):

Securing funds from non governmental and lottery sources—19.03.08
Emergency First Aid—24.04.08 and 22.05.08
Book online at www.evoc.org.uk/learning/programme/booking_form.asp

Interpretation advice
Interpret Scotland is a cross agency initiative which supports the interpretation of cultural and natural
Adopt-a- heritage within Scotland. It produces a journal twice a year which includes case studies of recent
Monument projects, comments on contemporary issues, and advice on how to improve on areas of interpretation.
You can access previous issues of the journal at;
Bulletin www.interpretscotland.org.uk/website/interpretscotland.nsf/byunique/pastissues.html.
If you would like to receive a hard copy of the journal, please contact isjournalmailing@snh.gov.uk.

Resources for groups

Safety gear for loan
AaM is proudly sporting new Personal Protection Equipment. Groups can loan a limited
number of hard hats and high visibility vests for project work (contact Helen for more
information).
Need tools?
From the people who brought you the British Archaeological Jobs Resource (BAJR.org)
comes Past Horizons; a new company selling affordable and durable archaeological equipment.
Visit the online shop at www.pasthorizons.com.

Adopt-a-Monument is grateful to Historic Scotland for continuing to support the work of this
Scheme over the coming year.

Ideas,
events or questions?
Email
AaM
Helen at
h . b r a d l ey @ sc o t t i s h a r c h a eo l o g y. o r g .u k

A d o p t - a - M o n u m e n t