Tag Archives: archaeology

Gairloch – 11th May 2013

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Today the SAMPHIRE team have been in Gairloch, meeting the local maritime community. We first stopped on at the local glass-bottom boat operators who were very helpful and wrote up a list of the local scallop divers and skippers for us to contact. We then dropped in to the Gairloch Marine Wildlife Centre and spoke to Ian French, a long time resident and expert on marine life. He is a font of knowledge on the  local area and passed us lots of useful info and contacts on heritage in the area. Finally we spoke to some of the local fishermen who very kindly invited us on to their boats.

A busy start to the day in Gairloch, the glass-bottom boat, the Gairloch Maritime Wildlife Centre and meeting with local fishermen.

Our second stop in Gairloch was the spectacular local Heritage Museum. We met retired local fisherman Derek Roxborough who was in the museum for the day demonstrating how to make and repair fishing gear. He gave us an impromptu tour of the boats in the museum’s collections and gave us a first-hand account of their use and subsequent preservation. We picked up some exciting leads on unreported marine archaeology sites which we hope to chase up later in this trip. Watch this space!

The SAMPHIRE team learning a few things about the local fishing industry at the Gairloch Heritage Museum.

North Kessock – 10th May 2013

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On the 10th of May the SAMPHIRE team gave an hour-long talk on marine archaeology, the SAMPHIRE project and recent work we have done in Scotland to the Inverness branch of the British Sub-Aqua club. The venue was the beautifully-situated Kessock Lifeboat Station under Kessock Bridge.

The SAMPHIRE team talking with the Inverness BSAC at North Kessock.

Dr. Simon Davidson spoke about the background to the project and John McCarthy gave a presentation on work done last year at Drumbeg. The Inverness club is the largest in the Highlands and over 30 divers attended the talk. We also gave out flyers from the SAMPHIRE project and also from related projects by our colleagues at the Nautical Archaeology Society and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Many of the divers expressed an interest in joining up with the SAMPHIRE team later in the year.

Scourie-Elphin-Ullapool – 9th May 2013

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The SAMPHIRE team spent a busy day meeting with divers and boat skippers in Scourie, Elphin and Ullapool.

'The SAMPHIRE team visiting a scallop diver at his home near the village of Scourie to go over the details of a previously unreported historic wreck site.

The team were kindly invited to Elphin by friends Russel & Bridie to discuss the maritime heritage of the area.

Going over the nautical charts in Elphin and enjoying the stunning landscape.

After discovering some leads for future surveys the team then made their way to Ullapool for even more meetings through the beautiful landscape of northwest Scotland.

Lochinver to Ullapool.

The in-depth knowledge of the marine environment and local maritime history held by divers, boat skippers and other members of the marine community is already producing fascinating stories and leads for the project; with the local community at the heart of the next stages of SAMPHIRE.

People like Andy Venters and his sons running a dive charter boat in Ullapool, and local divers provide detailed knowledge of the local maritime environment that can’t be gleaned from paper charts and archives, helping to bring maritime history to life.

Investigating the maritime history around Ullapool with local dive skipper Andy Venters and family, and local divers.

Drumbeg – Lochinver 9th May 2013

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Last nights talk in Drumbeg Village Hall was a full house; around 50 people and standing room only. Thanks to all of you who came along.

Standing room only in the Drumbeg Village Hall for the Project SAMPHIRE talk.

Today the team have been in Lochinver meeting with the local maritime community. The first few days have already produced new leads on historic shipwrecks in the area and some new sites to investigate.

Project SAMPHIRE in Lochinver, investigating the maritime history of the area with the local community.

The team spent some time talking to the Highland Council dive team working in Lochinver harbour about their experiences and extensive maritime knowledge of the region.

The Highland Council Dive team discuss the maritime history of the region with the SAMPHIRE team.

Kinlochbervie – 8th May 2013

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The SAMPHIRE team have been out and about in Kinlochbervie today meeting members of the local maritime community who have a deep knowledge of the area.

Kinlochbervie: the Project SAMPHIRE team, investigating the local maritime heritage of northwest Scotland with local community experts.

After 40 years working at sea, boat skipper Jimmy, is hugely knowledgable about the maritime environment of northwest Scotland. He has been sharing this wealth of information with John, Simon and Jonathan, the Project SAMPHIRE team leading to some new leads on previously unknown maritime heritage.

There are plenty of stories to be told on the the maritime heritage of the area.

Tonight the team are in Drumbeg giving a talk on the recent wreck survey. It’s free to attend – all are welcome.

 

Phase 1 – Project Planning

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John McCarthy of WA Coastal & Marine

The early stage planning for Project SAMPHIRE is underway. We’re beginning to set up our route for the summer field trip for meetings and talks on the West Coast.

Our draft itinerary is currently:

  • 8th May (Wed) –  Kinlochbervie
  • 9th May (Thu) – Drumbeg, Lochinver
  • 10th May (Fri) – Ullapool
  • 11th May (Sat) – Gairloch, Torridon
  • 12th May (Sun) – Applecross, Skye
  • 13th May (Mon) – Skye
  • 14th May (Tue) – Mallaig, Oban

If you have a site or are interested in knowing more please get in contact.

About SAMPHIRE

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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

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.

Diver survey, Copyright Historic Scotland, (J. Benjamin 2012)

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: