The website, at www.nosas.co.uk, received a good launch at a very successful HAW seminar in October - much interest was shown, and possibly as a result we welcome 6 new members. Email me for the password to the "members only" page if you do not know it already.

May I remind folk that annual subscriptions are now due - £12.50 (or £20 double at same address) to Allan Mackenzie, Braeval, Brae of Kinkell, Conon Bridge, Ross-shire, IV7 8HZ.
I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say congratulations and well done to Emma Sanderson who has recently taken up the post of Caithness Archaeology Development Officer.

Meryl Marshall

Welcome to these new members
see Members' Only section for full details.

Elizabeth Beer - Ullapool

Ken & Jean Bowker, Roshven, Lochailort

Sandra Evans, Dalnabreac, Acharacle

Ronnie Scott, Croy,

Anna Welti, Ullapool

New email addresses for -
Brigitte Geddes
Helen Hobson
Anna Rogalski

NOSAS AGM was held on Sat 16th October 2004 at the Highland Hotel Inverness.

Paul Humphreys stepped down as President and Jim Marshall was elected to the post, with John Wombell as vice President. Thanks were extended to Paul for his work. Brigitte Geddes was elected onto the committee.

Library
The library is soon to be transferred into Trina Wombell's care. A huge thank-you to Annette who has lovingly cared for it and built it up over the last 5 years. It is quite a comprehensive collection of books now, and my own feeling is that it is under utilised. Distribution and return of books is a bit of a problem. So far Annette has delivered or arranged for personal handover of books by some means or other, but at the last committee meeting it was agreed that any postal costs should be met halfway by NOSAS and the borrower. Annette has recently organised the library list in order that it could be put on the website. Visit the "members only" page to access it. Many thanks to Trina for offering to take over of the library. Contact her if you are interested in borrowing any of the books - 01997 423273

Scotlands Rural Past Project
The meeting with Lindsey Thomson and John Barber of AOC Archaeology Group duly took place and we await outcomes. The SRPP is an initiative to encourage the research, survey, interpretation, preservation, maintenance and promotion of historic rural settlement in Scotland. If you are interested in taking part in the project as a volunteer, if you would like to suggest any particular areas or subjects of study for the project or if you would like more information please visit the website www.molrs.org.uk or contact Lindsey at AOC Archaeology Group, Edgefield Industrial Estate, Edgefield Road, Loanhead, Midlothian, EH20 9SY

Discovering a Highland Landscape
Ben Lawers Landscape Project Conference 2004
is to be held in the AK Bell Library Theatre, York Place, Perth on Sat 20th Nov starting at 10.00am. This looks like an interesting update on the latest work of the project. Entrance is free but it is recommended that you get in touch with Derek Alexander, 0141 6165120 or email dalexander@nts.org.uk if interested in going.

"Woodland History and Conservation in Glen Affric: Contributions from fine scale pollen analysis" - is the title of the Inverness Field Club Bursary Lecture by Helen Shaw on 17th Nov at 8.00pm in Millburn Academy, Inverness. Non members welcome

Future activities
Local walks with archaeological interest always seem to be popular, so we are trying to arrange something for January in the Black Isle. Watch this space.

We are also hoping to arrange some fieldwalking over the winter months at either Conan Mains or Kinahaird (Contin). Obviously it has to be at very short notice. We are unable to set a date in advance, because of the ploughing. I will email folk about the time and place, but if you are not on email and are interested in coming please let me know now. The more people involved the better.

A happy bunch in Glen Feshie!!