NOSAS NEWS - September 2005

9 members attended the Field Training Course run by the Historic Rural Settlement Group at Newtonmore earlier this month. All felt that it was very successful. Amongst other things it was very useful being able to discuss approaches to surveying and recording with "the professionals" in an informal setting. The weekend is to be repeated next Autumn at Newtonmore again.
A very successful 3 days of surveying work took place in Glen Feshie at the end of Aug. 8 members were involved and all objectives achieved. Disappointingly the ?well turned out not to be a well after all!!
We look forward to Highland Archaeology Fortnight (well most of it!) - See you at something!
Meryl Marshall, 10 Riverford Crescent, Conon Bridge, Ross-shire, IV7 8HL, tel 01349 861824 or email Meryl.Marshall@tesco.net

Welcome to new member: Frank Van Duivenbode, same contact details as Brigitte Geddes.

Anne Coombs is organising a project aimed at plane tabling hut circles at Rogart, Sutherland on Sat 5th Nov. Meet 10am at the car park on the A9 at the north end of the Mound, GR NC776982. A high tea will probably be arranged afterwards and there is a possibility of a walk on the Sunday, so why not make a weekend of it? Contact Anne 01862 810431 or Meryl for more details. Note - this replaces the weekend in Skye which has been postponed until next year.

Following the very successful Christmas Dinner and Do last year, a further evening has been organised for Friday 2nd December. All welcome, bring partners, guests, anybody! There will be a 3 course meal and "seasonal entertainments" afterwards. Meet 6.30pm for 7.00. Cost £16. Tickets from Meryl

A day to investigate the remains of the Fishing Stations on the Dry Island and Eilean Horrisdale, Badachro, near Gairloch is planned for January or February. This will involve a short boat trip and will be dependant on weather. Let Meryl know if you are interested in coming, as it will be arranged at short notice

NOSAS Annual General Meeting - Will be held at 5pm, October 15th, after the Saturday seminar of Highland Archaeology Fortnight, in the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Inverness. The agenda is enclosed with this newsletter. Once again we are keen to encourage new faces onto the committee, please contact an existing committee member if interested.

"Highland Archaeology Fortnight" will run from Saturday 1st - Sunday 16th October 2005 with the seminar taking place, as usual, on the final weekend (15th/ 16th October). If you have not already got your programme contact event co-ordinator, Hazel Anderson, on 01463 718505, email: haw@rowan-tree-scotland.co.uk

Bits and Pieces -
Achnasoul earthwork - This previously unrecorded ringed earthwork near Marybank which we surveyed in February is attracting attention. It seems that there is some debate over what period it dates from - watch this space!

SMR - An email from Andrew Puls "As many may be aware, the HC Archaeology Unit is redesigning the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR). It is very important that the new system will be able to fulfil the needs of its varied users, be user friendly and be able to supply the data that is required. We would very much like the opportunity to meet with a broad cross-section of present and potential users, from researchers to contractors, to give you the opportunity to tell us what you and your organisation would like to see included in the new SMR (which will, in fact, become an HER or Historic Environment Record) It is present, in a very large part, to aid you in your research and work. - Meeting was on 26th Sept - more in next newsletter MM

Discovery and Excavation, Scotland - You are encouraged to submit any reports to this worthwhile publication, which I understand to be the envy of the CSAs counterpart in England! Deadline is 15th Dec for inclusion in next issue.

"Highland 2007" - a reminder about this community programme designed to celebrate what is unique and special about Highland Culture in the year 2007. A considerable sum of funding is available. If you have an idea visit www.highland2007.com for more info

For the future. A weekend is planned in March for recording a multiperiod site at Wag of Forse, Caithness and a further week of work at Kinlochourn is planned for April