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Loch Hourn
Earlier this month twelve members had the "dubious
pleasure" of an intensive week at Loch Hourn.
A good time was had by all, thanks in no small
part to the superb weather. We worked very hard
and all the objectives for this years project
were achieved (I think), plus some additional
bonuses:
- two small scale trenches were excavated. One
across a building at the head of the loch and
the other across the quay and part of the adjacent
"green" at Mhogh Sgeir
- a plan-drawing of the long building at Mhogh
Sgeir was drawn together with several of the small
?fishermens huts in the vicinity.
- A computerised contour plan of the long building,
using an EDM under the guidance of Tom Dawson,
enabling some of us to gain experience of this
useful piece of equipment. An interesting area
on the shore at Skiary was also done
- A planetable drawing of the foreshore at Skiary
- A 6km length of the north shoreline was prospected
and at least another 40 sites recorded, - Shielings
were recorded in several of the high corries on
both the north side and the south side of the
loch.
All came away pretty satisfied but exhausted!
Thanks to Donald and Aileen for looking after
us and to John and Trina who organised it all
once again. Interim report available from John.
Meryl Marshall, 10 Riverford Crescent, Conon Bridge,
Ross-shire, IV7 8HL, tel 01349 861824 or email
Meryl.Marshall@tesco.net
Welcome to new members:-
Wayne Bremner, 32 Henderson St, Thurso, Caithness.
Tel - 01847 891633. Email - bremkins@bremkins.freeserve.co.uk
David & Susan Findlay, Holly Cottage, Fearn,
Ross-shire IV20 1TJ. Tel 01862 832818. Email -
david.findlay@geanies.org.uk
Change of name - Congratulations to Hazel Anderson
on her marriage, she is now Hazel Bews
Subscription reminder - Subscriptions
are well overdue and Allan will be contacting
those who have not renewed. Please send £12.50
single, £20 double or let him know if you
do not intend to renew - . Allan Mackenzie, Braeval,
Brae of Kinkell, Conon Bridge, Ross-shire, IV7
8HZ. Tel 01349 866494
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Glen Feshie Excavation - 15th to 20th
July
The excavation of the cairn in Glen Feshie,
2004 proved that it was indeed a building,
most likely a shieling, and that it probably
predated the nearby township of Achleum-a-Choid.
The external walls of the building, a hearth,
an entrance, and 3 circular stone features
with cobbled bases were revealed. We will
be continuing where we left off in Sept,
2004, extending the project to include excavation
of the 2 nearby sheilings, in an attempt
to discover more about the buildings and
the site.
I have secured a small grant from the Cairngorm
National Park Authority to cover some of
the cost and have booked Milehouse, which
we will be using as a base again. Food and
accommodation will be £5 per night
if staying there, but there are many other
alternatives in the area if you wish to
make your own arrangements for accommodation
I will be happy to forward a copy of the
project design to anyone who wishes it.
Please contact me if you are interested
in helping preferably for the whole time,
but failing that a minimum of two days at
least. MM
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Future Events
The Autumn Weekend, probably 21st-22nd
Oct, is to be in the Kilmartin area. This beautiful
and fascinating area in Argyll is steeped in archaeology.
There are Neolithic and Bronze Age Monuments,
enigmatic cup and ring marked rocks, Iron Age
forts (including Dunadd, the "capital"
of the Ancient Kingdom of Dalriada), fine examples
of Early Christian graveslabs, not to mention
the more recent Crinan Canal. Whatever your interest
you will find something here. Anne Coombs is organising,
more info later.
We are in discussions with Brian Duff, FE (Inverness)
Recreations Officer, (also NOSAS member) about
developing a new "family" cycling
route in the Contin area and using the cleared
townships at Rogie as an objective. NOSASs part
would be to research the history of the 2 townships,
planetable them and "tidy" them up so
that they are better presented. FE would improve
and maintain the track, provide the signage and
leaflets and also maintain the sites. More info
later
Caithness - as usual there is lots happening
in the Caithness area this Summer, including the
Pre-History Conference in June. More Information
from Emma Sanderson, Tel 07855875619. Email email@caithnessarchaeology.org.uk
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Glen Feshie Book
I am delighted to report that the Glen Feshie
book is having a good reception and 500
copies have already been disposed of! There
have been a number of (not altogether) unforeseen
outcomes in that several elderly people
have contacted me with their reminiscences
and anecdotes of the Glen going back to
the 1920s and 30s. The book is available
from me at a cost of £8 (p&p free
to members, £1 extra for non-members).
Cheques to be made out to "NOSAS Publications"
MM
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The following is an extract from the preview
by Prof. Chris Smout:
"Glen Feshie is one of the most beautiful
places in the Cairngorm National Park, iconic
for its ancient pine forests, towering mountains
and sparkling waterfalls, famous for its black
grouse, crossbills and deer. Wild though it is,
however, like everywhere in the Highlands, it
is steeped in history: it is the interaction between
nature and people that makes it so interesting.
This excellent short book tells it all, from the
old shieling systems and the deserted farmtouns
high in the glen once growing grain (it seems
incredible now), to the days of the nineteenth
century deer stalkers. Particularly fascinating
are the high jinks of the Duchess of Bedford,
holding parties in her "huts" with her
friend Sir Edwin Landseer and other guests, playing
at turning their backs on civilisation. It is
all a far cry from the usual idea of Victorians
as prim and proper.
Bits and Pieces:-
Heritage Lottery Fund - an application is to be
made for a further Awards for All grant for more
equipment. This time a resistivity meter, a digital
projector and screen and a "broadcast"
quality dictaphone will be on the shopping list.
These will all be available for every member to
use.
ASPIRE (Archaeological Standard Protocol for the
Integrated Reporting of Events!) - Update
We were to use this new system of recording during
the Loch Hourn week, but sadly there were a few
hitches and it had to be abandoned - watch this
space for further developments.
Whilst on the subject of recording archaeological
sites and in order to be "compatible"
with the GIS system, it will be desirable in the
future to convert the OS letters which appear
at the front of all Grid References (and which
indicate the 100 kilometre square) to numbers.
Here are the conversions:-
NM = 1 & 7 NG = 1 & 8
NB = 1 & 9 NN = 2 & 7
NH = 2 & 8 NC = 2 & 9
NJ = 3 & 8 ND = 3 & 9
The first number refers to the easting, and the
second number to the northing. These cover all
the areas of Highland
New Skills Building Courses
The new programme for May - July has been drawn
up for these free training courses which are run
in the Highland Council area. The courses cover
a variety of topics ranging from "Exploring
Local History", "Live Interpretation",
"Archive Handling" and "Copyright
Basics" in a variety of locations throughout
the Highlands
Visit the new website www.heritage-skills.co.uk
for more information or to book online
Highland Archaeology Fortnight is to take
place from Saturday, 30th Sept to Sunday 15th
October 2006. Once again Hazel is the co-ordinator
and is looking for registers of interest and offers
of events. Contact Hazel Bews, Rowan Tree Consulting
- tel 01463 718505 or email hazel@rowan-tree-scotland.co.uk
Scottish Archaeology Month - this annual
event co-ordinated by the CSA which as usual is
to happen in September has a new organiser in
Andrew Tibbs who is also looking for offers/organisers
of events
RCAHMS Newsletter : May 2006
The first edition of the RCAHMS Newsletter, which
is intended to bring information about new developments
being undertaken by the Royal Commission on the
Ancient & Historical Monuments of Scotland,
has been emailed to me and I have forwarded it
to members. For those not on email please let
me know if you wish me to send you a copy
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