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North of Scotland Archaeological Society

Tarradale: Post Medieval Digging and Mesolithic Finds Sorting!

Tarradale: Post Medieval Digging and Mesolithic Finds Sorting!

Added on 26 January 2025

In early May we opened a trench over the possible site of a distillery shown on the 1788 estate map, SW of Tarradale House. Unfortunately we didn't manage to locate the distillery, but we did find an extensive wall in a different trench, which we have been investigating since. We continued excavations on the site in June, July, August hoping to find evidence of a number of barns depicted the 1788 estate map. Read the new blog post to find out all about our community led investigations.

Some hardy souls have continued excavating into the depths of the winter at the Tarradale "Barns" site. In Trench 8 we have a significant feature about 4 metres across with a set of steps leading down into it, a circular wall, flat stones at the base and much evidence of in-situ burning.  Progress has been slow but we hope to continue to reveal the structure in the New Year with a limited team. The confusing bit is that it does not appear to match any of the buildings on our 1788 estate map, meaning it could conceivably pre-date it.

Meanwhile, finds sorting from our 2023 Mesolithic dig is continuing every Sunday in the comfortable surroundings of the library of Tarradale House.  We sort through 6000 year old shell midden material to look for small stone artefacts, pierced shells, fishbones and other finds of interest. We have space for more volunteers. If you have not done this before you will find we are a very friendly group who will show you what to do.  We have music to accompany us and there is always something new to learn from the chat!  No previous experience is required.  At the end of last year and beginning of this year we found two 6000-year old beads made out of cowrie shells. Email Eric if you are interested.

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