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Starts: 10:00
Ends: 16:00
The final season of community excavation at a well-preserved Iron Age roundhouse [MHG8263] with the Gairloch Museum, muddy fun for all! We would recommend that attendees wear steel-toe boots if possible, or if not possible, sturdy walking boots with high ankles. Attendees should also bring waterproofs and work gloves, and kneeling pads if they have them.
The event will also run later than the end of HAF up to the end of Sunday 16th October at 16:00. Toilet and welfare facilities are provided by the Gairloch Museum a 2 minute walk away, but are not provided directly on site.
Meet at Gairloch Museum
Free / donations welcome
Children welcome if with adult
Dogs welcome if on lead
Bring a packed lunch
Level 1 walk
Bookings essential to:
Gairloch Museum
Phone 01445 712287
Email events@gairlochmuseum.org
www.gairlochmuseum.org
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Starts: 10:00
Ends: 15:00
Learn how to create your own saw pierced silver pendant inspired by Picts/Stone Carvings in this 5 hour workshop with Aberdeen based Silversmith Megan Falconer. In this workshop, you will be shown how to saw pierce, file, texture, solder and make fixings for your own handmade pendant. Using a jewellers piercing saw, detail will be cut out of sheets of silver in order to create a design of your choice, whether you choose to be inspired by Pict stone carvings or create your own contemporary take on the vast inspiration. Reference images will be provided and examples will be shown during the workshop.
You will leave the workshop with your own handmade pendant, on your choice of chain length. This workshop is suitable for complete beginners, however a good level of hand eye coordination/hand dexterity is helpful due to the hand tools used. Please also bring glasses if you need them for close up work, as the skills will require focusing on small areas.
This activity is for adults only, 16 years or older
Venue: Urquhart Castle
Cost: £20
Suitable for wheelchair access
Bring a packed lunch or you can buy lunch in the care
Bookings via HES website https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/
Urquhart Castle (Historic Environment Scotland)
Phone 01456 450551
Email learning@hes.scot
www.historicenvironment.scot/
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Starts: 10:00
Ends: 16:30
Unfortunately this event has had to be cancelled
A treasure hunt through Fort William, themed around archaeology, for children 12 and below to partake in. Children will need adult supervision as it''s walking around Fort William. The sheet for the treasure hunt can be collected from the West Highland Museum, and a prize can be collected at the end.
Free/Donations welcome.
West Highland Museum
Phone 01397 702169
Email info@westhighlandmuseum.org.uk
https://www.westhighlandmuseum.org.uk/
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Starts: 10:00
Ends: 16:00
Join our blacksmith and hear about the essential role that the smith had in castle and community life. Learn about the evolution and mystery of Smithing from the Iron Age onwards when it was possible to pull a ‘sword from a stone’. Hear some of the fables told around the glowing forge about the Gods, Goddesses and famous smiths that appear in folklore.
Venue: Urquhart Castle
Cost: Free with entry to the castle. Book entry in advance to guarantee entry
Family event. Children welcome if with adult
Suitable for wheelchair access
Booking to castle recommended to guarantee entry.
Urquhart Castle (Historic Environment Castle)
Phone 01456 450551
Email learning@hes.scot
www.historicenvironment.scot/
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Starts: 10:30
Ends: 15:00
A hands on course in creating Bronze age Beaker style ancient coil built pottery. Also an opportunity to prepare and smoke fire some pottery outdoors. Participants will mix up their own clay, then make a beaker pot which can be fired and posted on or collected at a later date, and they can also smoke fire a pre-made beaker to keep.
Wear old clothes and it will be messy and smokey. Suitable for all ages & abilities.
Venue: Balnacra Pottery, The Smithy, Near Strathcarron IV 54 8YS
Cost: £25 per person
Children welcome if with adult
Suitable for wheelchair access
Dogs welcome if on lead
Bring a packed lunch or local cafes also available.
Booking essential, preferably by email, to:
Balnacra Pottery
Phone 01520 722724 (evenings only)
Email pottery@balnacra.com
www.balnacra.com
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Starts: 10:30
Ends: 12:30
Chris Robinson will guide you around the small crofting settlement of Blarmachfoldach, focussing on people and places. This walk requires your own transport to move from site to site.
Meet at the picnic spot at Upper Achintore
Cost: Free to members of West Highland Museum; £2 for non-members
Level 1 walk
Bookings essential due to limited onsite parking, preferably by phone, to:
West Highland Museum
Phone 01397 702169
Email info@westhighlandmuseum.org.uk
www.westhighlandmuseum.org.uk/
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Starts: 10:30
Ends: 14:30
Guided walk from Cromdale Church [MHG6824], with transport to key sites of this less well-known Jacobite battle. Limited to 8 people.
Meet at Cromdale Church car park
Cost: £10
Bring a packed lunch
Level 2 walk
Bookings, preferably by email, to:
Strathspey Tours
Phone 07876 235408
Email info@strathspeytours.com
www.strathspeytours.com
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Starts: 10:30
Ends: 15:00
Calling Young Archaeologists! Our Archaeology Pit has been newly refurbished, so you get hands on and have a go at digging. You will uncover Pictish and medieval features and find lots of exciting artefacts on the way. Children must be supervised by accompanying adult. Only 3 children in the pit in each 30 minute session. Sessions can be booked online – recommended but not essential. Children and adults are welcome to visit the museum after the session.
Children must be supervised by an adult
Cost: £2 / child; Accompanying adult: £5 (up to 65 years) or £4 (65+ years).
Bookings via the booking form on our website https://www.tarbat-discovery.co.uk/booking-form-childrens-archaeology-pit
Tarbat Discovery Centre
Phone 01862 871351
Email admin@tarbat-discovery.co.uk
www.tarbat-discovery.co.uk/
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Starts: 13:20
Ends: 16:00
Join our knowledgeable volunteer walking guides who will be able to tell you about the history of the ancient glen monuments whilst enjoying a walk in the stunning landscape of Kilmartin Glen. On your guided walk you will visit key prehistoric sites in the glen, including Temple Wood Stone circle, Burial Cairns and the Nether Largie Standing Stones. Further details will be provided after booking.
Meet at Kilmartin Village Green
Free / donations welcome via Kilmartin Museum website
Children 10+ welcome with adults
Guide dogs only
Bookings essential by email (only advanced bookings accepted):
Kilmartin Museum
Phone 01546 510278
Email education@kilmartin.org
www.kilmartin.org
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Starts: 13:30
Ends: 14:30
We are excavating at Culloden! Join the NTS Archaeologists and a member of Culloden's engagement team as they discuss the latest finds all at the edge of a trench.
Meet at Culloden Battlefield
Cost: see website for details
Children welcome if with adult
Level 1 walk
Bookings via website to:
Culloden Battlefield (National Trust for Scotland)
Phone 01463 796090
Email Culloden@nts.org.uk
www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/culloden
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Starts: 19:30
Ends: 21:00
Online talk by Eric Grant of Tarradale Through Time project. Booking via Eventbrite.
Over the last 5 years the Tarradale Through Time project has investigated six archaeological sites dating from the mesolithic to the 18th and 19th centuries. Some significant sites were discovered and important finds made. This paper will summarise the principal findings of the project and suggest what the future archaeological priorities in the area are.
Dr Eric Grant lectured in archaeology and historical geography at university level for 20 years. He later undertook consultancy work and maintained an interest in the voluntary sector by chairing heritage organisations including museum trustees. Since moving to Ross-shire in 2004 he has been investigating the archaeological potential of the Muir of Ord and Tarradale areas in the Black Isle. This led to a National Lottery Heritage Fund award for a series of six excavations – with some spectacular outcomes – under the aegis of Tarradale Through Time: community engagement with archaeology in the Highlands.
Highland Council Historic Environment Team
Phone 077888 35466
Email highlandarchaeologyfestival@gmail.com
www.highlandarchaeologyfestival.org
