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Caithness News Bulletins September 2005

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Highland Archaeology

Highland Archaeology Fortnight - Full Programme

BUMPER PROGRAMME FOR 2005 HIGHLAND ARCHAEOLOGY FORTNIGHT
This year's Highland Archaeology Fortnight, which takes place between Saturday 1st - Sunday 16th October, will have more than 160 events taking place across the Highlands -  a record number.

The festival, which celebrates the archaeology, history and culture of the Highlands, is now in its 12th year with a packed programme of guided walks, talks and special events for people of all ages to enjoy.

Co-ordinated by The Highland Council's Archaeology Unit, the festival's events are organised by a wide range of community groups, interested individuals, museums and professional bodies such as Historic Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland.

Events this year include:

  • Photographic competition, with prizes donated by Jessops, Historic Scotland, the National Trust and History Scotland along with many others magazine.

  • "High Pasture Cave" tours of the Iron Age Underworld, organised by Martin Wildgoose.

  • "An Intimate Look at the Wag of Forse" - an exhibition in Dunbeath heritage Centre organised by the Dunbeath Preservation Trust

  • "A Guided Tour of Loth Military Radar Station" organised by Timespan Heritage Centre

  • "Living in Dell Woods" a guided walk through the Caledonian Pine Forest National Nature Reserve organised by Explore Abernethy

  • "Tour Rait Castle" with Alasdiar Cunningham of Scottish Clans and Castles

  •  "Culloden Chronicles" in Culloden Woods with the Highland Council and Forestry Commission Rangers

As a grand finale to Highland Archaeology Fortnight, a seminar, "What's New in Highland Archaeology", will be held at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Church Street, Inverness on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th October. The event is free and members of the public are invited to come along and find out about the recent archaeological discoveries and research in the Highlands.

Dorothy Maxwell, Projects Asset and Archaeology Manager with The Highland Council's Planning and Development Service said: "No matter what your level of knowledge of Highland archaeology is - whether you are a complete beginner or a keen expert - this programme has something for you to enjoy. Event organisers all over the Highlands have, as usual, put in a great deal of imagination and effort in putting together events, and we would like to thank them for their continued support."

To get your free copy of the programme, call the festival hotline on 01463 718505, or visit the Highland Council Archaeology Unit website at www.higharch.demon.co.uk

Caithness Events
1 October 2005
11.00am-5.00pm. Open Day at Waterlines Visitor Centre, Lybster (ND 243348). Free admission. Lybster Heritage Trust Tel: 01593 721325

2.00pm-4.00pm. " Open Day at Clan Gunn Heritage Trust". Come along for an introduction to the Clan archive at the Clan Gunn Heritage Centre, Latheron (ND 202333). Special reduced admission charge of £2.00.
Clan Gunn Heritage Trust Tel: 01593 721325

All day. "World War II History on Dunnet Head". Take a self-guided tour of the WWII remains starting at Dunnet Head Information Shelter. (ND 202766) Dunnet Head Educational Trust Tel: 01847 851991

2 October 2005
3.00pm-5.00pm. "Amble Around Achvarasdal". Join CAT and Achvarasdal Woodland Management Group for a guided stroll around the nature and
archaeology of Achvarasdal woodlands. Meet at woodland entrance (NC 982649). Caithness Archaeological Trust Tel: 01593 731269

5 October 2005
7.30pm-9.00pm. "Pseudo-historians v. Pictomaniacs". Illustrated talk by Niall Smith taking a fresh look at the Pictish king lists. Pentland Hotel, Thurso.
Caithness Archaeological Trust Tel: 01593 731269

8 October 2005
10.00am-4.00pm. "Industrial Heritage at Dounreay". Come along and discover the remarkable industrial heritage of the Dounreay site. Dounreay Visitor Centre, Dounreay, Caithness (NC 997672).
UKAEA Tel: 01847 802714

9 October 2005
10.10am-3.00pm. "Warehouse Hill and Garrywhin Hillfort". Guided walk (approx 3 miles) including brochs, cairns and a hillfort. Cars will leave Thurso Railway Station at 9.30am and Wick Station at 9.45am, meeting at Whaligoe Steps car park (ND 032403) at 10.10am.
Caithness Field Club Tel: 01847 896989

12 October 2005
7.30pm-9.00pm. "Excavations at Battlemoss". An update on this year's excavation of Battlemoss, Yarrows, by Dr Amelia Pannett. Thrumster Village Hall. Caithness Archaeological Trust Tel: 01593 731269

14 October 2005
11.00am-1.30pm. "Bogs, Burials and Brochs", a beginner's introduction to the Yarrows area. Explore a landscape filled with round house, chambered cairn and broch structures. Learn about wildlife along the way.
Meet at South Yarrows Farm car park (ND 307433).
HC East Caithness Ranger Tel: 01955 607758

15 October 2005
10.00am-5.00pm. Open day at Wick Heritage Museum. Free admission The Wick Society Tel: 01955 605393

16 October 2005
11.00am-2.00pm. "The Forgotten Bloody Battle Site at Altimarlich". From local history to natural history - Altimarlich has it all. A walk up the Wick River to the ancient clan battle site looking at wildlife along the way. Take binoculars rather than swords! Meet at Somerfield car park, Wick (boating shed end ND 361511). HC East Caithness Ranger Tel: 01955 607758
Highland Archaeology Fortnight - Full Programme