PDA

View Full Version : Caithness to feature in archaeology festival



Nwicker60
19-Sep-11, 16:29
Yarrows and Auckengill will feature
A NEW packed programme of special events has been launched for the eighteenth Highland Archaeology Festival, which gets underway on 1 October for two weeks.
Over one hundred events, most of which are free, are included in the programme which celebrates the archaeology, history, landscape and culture of Highland. There is something for everyone - with events ranging from guided walks, family events, self-guided trails, archaeological survey, evening lectures and exhibitions.
Co-ordinated by The Highland Council’s Historic Environment Team, the festival’s events are organised by a wide range of community groups, individuals, museums and professional bodies. Programmes are available now from libraries and service points throughout the area.
The festival will end with a two day conference in Inverness featuring talks about excavations and research across Highland. The “Recent Archaeological Discovery and Research" conference will be held at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 October. The seminar provides a platform for archaeologists who have been working in Highland to present the results of their work. Conference admission is £20 for both days or £15 for one day.
Councillor Ian Ross, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee said: “The Highland Archaeology Festival is firmly established as a key event in our cultural events calendar. Thanks go to all event organisers without whose dedication and hard work the festival would not be possible. It demonstrates the rich archaeological resources that we have in the Highlands and the importance of archaeology as an attraction to bringing people into the area.”
2011 programme highlights include:

In Caithness, join Caithness Field Club for a guided walk from Yarrows to Ulbster, taking in Yarrows Broch and wag, hut circles, cairns, lime kilns and more; try out pre-historic bushcrafts at Auckengill Harbour; or discover wind and water power 19th century style at Castletown.
In Sutherland, take an excavation site tour of a pre-clearance longhouse in Glenleraig; join a guided mini-bus tour on a journey back in time to learn about the Kildonan Clearances; or take a guided walk to the cleared township of Coire Aghaisgeig in Clyne Parish.
In Easter Ross, take a guided tour of the recently excavated possible motte at Foulis; join the Easter Ross Ranger for a walk to Cnoc an Duin Iron Age Hill Fort, Strathrory; or take part in a free family arts and crafts day at the Highland Museum of Childhood.
In Wester Ross, explore a recently discovered group of pre-historic roundhouses; see experimental archaeology in action in Applecross; or discover Port Henderson: Past and Present at Gairloch Heritage Museum.
In Skye and Lochalsh, visit a display about the Armadale Pier Dig at Museum of the Isles; and see live archaeology in action at Eilean Donan Castle.
In Lochaber, enjoy a slide show of old photographs and browse the fascinating collection of scrapbooks held by Glencoe and North Lorn Folk Museum; take part in a special viking themed event in Fort William; or discover the darker side of Glencoe on a massacre landrover safari with National Trust for Scotland.
In Inverness, get hands on with history at Culloden Battlefield in a series of special events by National Trust for Scotland; or discover what life was like in pre-historic times at Aigas Field Centre. Take part in special craft activities for children at Inverness Museum and explore the star stories of the ancients at Abriachan Forest.
In Badenoch and Strathspey, discover lime and Rock-art around Dulnain Bridge; enjoy free admission to the award-winning Highland Folk Museum; and take in a talk at Clan Macpherson Museum
These are just some examples of the events taking place throughout the Highland Archaeology Festival. Pick up a programme from libraries or service points, or visit the website at www.highland.gov.uk/archaeology (http://www.highland.gov.uk/archaeology.htm) to download the programme. Visit the website for news, regular updates and late additions or alterations to the programme.