This summer WA Coastal & Marine begins a new project called SAMPHIRE (Scottish Atlantic Maritime Past: Heritage, Investigation, Research & Education) which will be based in our Edinburgh office and undertaken in collaboration with the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS). Project SAMPHIRE is supported by The Crown Estate’s Marine Stewardship Fund.
SAMPHIRE will enable professional underwater archaeologists to engage with local maritime communities on the west coast of Scotland and aims to support the identification, investigation, conservation and appreciation of Scotland’s marine heritage. By working collaboratively we hope to reinforce a shared sense of stewardship of those underwater archaeological sites. This will enhance the record and support future management of the underwater cultural heritage in Scotland.
The Drumbeg wreck site: a community find has led to a fantastic discovery: copyright Historic Scotland (J.Benjamin 2012)
Previous Work
Outer Hebrides Coastal Community Marine Archaeology Pilot ran from 2011-2012
The project has been informed by our experience on the recently completed pilot study in the Outer Hebrides; the OHCCMAPP produced records for previously unrecorded archaeology. This was done through successful partnership working between heritage professionals and local communities.
Some of our other Scottish diving work has also been in the news; download some of the reports here: