Category: Archived News

Members at the Annual General Meeting on November 1 voted to accept the committee’s recommendation that ACFA should become an SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation).   Having completed her term of office Chairperson Carol Primrose was replaced in the position by Dugie MacInnes.  Two new members, Elaine Black and Richard Anderson, joined the committee.  Carol was thanked for her hard work during a period when she oversaw ACFA’s response to changes in archaeology in Scotland.

Wendy Raine retired from editing the newsletter after several years which have seen the newsletter prosper.  She will be replaced in a job sharing arrangement by Ian Marshall and Richard Anderson.

Several members of ACFA participated as volunteers on this Archaeology Scotland run dig at Rouken Glen.

The site is recorded on a 1789 estate plan as a feature on the side of the gorge below the settlement of Rookend, one of the oldest in the modern park.

Trenches opened at either end of the small structure elucidated the probable site of the mill wheel and pit, and half of an impressive millstone but as always problems and conundrums in the nature of the working mill and its lades.

Internally potential deep layers of rubble obscured any  attempt to reach the work floors but planning and analysis clearly indicated a more complex building history than its modest appearance suggests .

Terrain laid down for a possible return and plans for a fuller topographic campaign in October.

Volunteers: Ian Marshall, Susan Hunter, Ross Wallace, Margaret Gardiner and Libby King. Director: Phil Richardson Site Supervisor: Paul Murtagh.

Sponsor: Archaeology Scotland.

A new season of surveys begins in September concentrating on the high shielings on the north side of the glen above Duncroisk.  A full list of dates can be found on the survey page and members can find futher details in the Members’ Area.

Following an assessment carried out on the site by ACFA members, an excavation is planned to explore the origin and form of this severely ruined building.  Rouken Glen Park has been awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund Parks for People grant and is undertaking a programme of events and activities that will explore and record the rich cultural heritage contained within the park. This excavation will focus on determining the location and date of the former Rook End Mill. For more information and to book a place on the week-long excavation starting on Sunday August 24, which will run each day from 10am, contact p.richardson@archaeologyscotland.org.uk . Members can find more information in the Members’ Area.

ACFA was represented at the recent Archaeology Day at the National Trust for Scotland’s Greenbank House on the southside of Glasgow.  There were a number of activities for people to try including three exploratory trenches, clay pipe making workshops and a children’s sand excavation. A number of other archaeology and history groups were represented.  Unfortunately the weather wasn’t kind and the competing attractions of the Commonwealth Games led to lower attendance than hoped.