Heritage Society Wins Lottery Funding
Castletown Heritage Society, based at Castlehill Heritage Centre in Castletown, has received a grant of £52,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund towards delivering an exciting project, ‘The Window on the Hidden Bronze Age Landscape of Caithness’. The Society will make use of archaeological and historical information revealed by a recent airborne laser scanning survey of the Caithness landscape to deliver a one year community engagement programme of archaeological activity commencing in May 2015. Aerial laser surveys have the ability to ‘see through’ vegetation, foliage, trees and bushes to look at the ground and the archaeology beneath, often with spectacular results – a 3D computer map of the past. The aerial survey revealed new Bronze Age settlements of at least 3500 years old and are considered some of the best preserved prehistoric landscapes in the UK.
Working with professional archaeologists and using the aerial survey data, the project will deliver a series of classroom-based workshops and practical field work training sessions. Participants will learn a wide range of archaeological related skills. The indoor sessions will allow those less able to engage in outdoor fieldwork activities the opportunity to conduct primary investigation of the prehistoric landscape. The outdoor activities will include small-scale excavation of key features with the aim of making the conceptual link between the 'lumps and bumps' and the remains of ancient Bronze Age settlements.
The project aims to involve the local primary and secondary schools, as well as Thurso College, by tailoring classroom and practical sessions to the relevant age group. To attract a larger audience there will be a programme of Bronze Age craft workshops, seminars and lectures delivered by expert guest speakers, designed to generate interest and involvement in the investigation of the prehistoric archaeology of Caithness.
A permanent exhibition at the Castlehill Heritage Centre will be created showing the aerial survey images of the area and outputs from the various workshops. The exhibition will include an interactive touch screen resource using the survey data and outputs from the fieldwork to provide an engaging and easily accessible source of information about Bronze Age Caithness for local people, visitors, schools, students, study groups and academics.
Commenting on the award, Roy Blackburn, Chairman of Castletown Heritage Society, said: “We are delighted to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and are confident the project will provide an amazing opportunity to explore the lifestyle of the inhabitants of these hitherto undiscovered Bronze Age settlements. At the heart of our project is an engaging and rewarding programme of involvement for local schools and volunteers from across the North of Scotland. Working with professional archaeologists, participants will have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of archaeology training workshops and practical activities based on the aerial laser scanning survey. The knowledge and information gained during the year-long project will be made available to all, through evening talks, a website and a permanent exhibition including interactive displays in Castlehill Heritage Centre.”
Explaining the importance of the HLF support, the head of the HLF in Scotland, Colin McLean, said: “Our local communities have on their doorstep hidden clues to the way our ancestors lived and how our lives developed into what they are today. By delving into this history, volunteers, families and school children will not only expand their knowledge and learn lots of new skills, but it will also provide a unique record of the area for others to learn, enjoy and be inspired by.”
For further information, images and interviews, please contact
Roy Blackburn, Chairman of Castletown Heritage Society on 01847 821042 and at [email protected]