The Highland Archaeology Festival is an exciting opportunity for us to participate in a regional event which enables us to showcase some of our more unusual collections. The written (and drawn) documents which the Highland Archive Service preserves, dovetail into the physical remains of archaeological sites to give a more accurate history of the sites. There are a great many archaeological sites in the Highlands and we have a variety of records which provide evidence about them.
This year, rising to the challenge of selecting “gems” from our collections, we have chosen the following, which will be on display from 3 October to 14 October. Please contact the individual archive centres for details of opening hours.
Caithness Archive Centre has chosen to put on a small display about the Standing Stones of Achavanich which overlook Loch Stemster. The 35 stones still standing are 4,000 years old, made of Caithness flagstone and are arranged in a U-shape. The display at the archive centre features old maps, archaeological reports and photographs of the site.
Tel: 01955 606432 Email: [email protected]
Highland Archive Centre has chosen a letter from King James II referring to the privileges formerly granted to the town of Fortrose and the fact that they shall not interfere with the privileges of Inverness. It is dated 4 August 1455 ( reference GB0232/D469).
Tel: 01463 256444 Email: [email protected]
Lochaber Archive Centre has chosen the oldest document in its care. It is a letter from King James VI of Scotland to James Menzies of Weyme, granting permission for him and his family to eat meat during Lent due to his poor health. The letter is dates 1578 and is part of the West Highland Museum Jacobite Collections (reference GB03218/D142/1/1).
Tel: 01397 701942 Email: [email protected]
Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre is in the unusual position of having an archaeological object which it can display. The medieval bronze strap-end was discovered in 1994 at the ancient cemetery of Ashaig in Skye. This was an important religious site, being linked with Saint Maolrubha who lived from 642 to 722. The interlacing foliate pattern suggests that it was made around the 11th century AD.
Tel: 01478 614078 Email: [email protected]
