The South West is home to a vast array of significant archaeological sites, including some of the earliest evidence of human occupation in Scotland at Starr and Smittons, a Neolithic village at Dreghorn, the world-famous medieval abbey at Whithorn and the towering remains of the industrial past at the Barony A Frame in East Ayrshire. This new project will showcase the value and research potential of sites like these across North, East and South Ayrshire, as well as Dumfries and Galloway.

Kilwinning Abbey in North Ayrshire, founded in the 12th century AD (© ScARF)

By encouraging participation from residents, heritage and community groups as well as professionals who work in the region, the project will find out what people living and working in the South West want to know about the archaeology in their region.

The final product will be a new open-access website with sections covering each archaeological period, from the Late Upper Palaeolithic (which began around 12,000 BC) to the 20th century. This website will contain a wealth of reliable and up-to-date information for anyone interested in the heritage of South West Scotland. Special case studies will offer users the chance to take a more detailed look at significant sites and projects from the region.

ScARF’s Regional Research Frameworks outline the current knowledge of archaeology in each area and time period, whilst assessing research gaps and key regional differences across Scotland. Resources for Argyll, the Highlands, Perth & Kinross, and South East Scotland are available to browse free online.

In addition to being a unique resource for the public, the finished framework will provide a crucial tool for the management of archaeology in the South West, offering archaeologists working across different sectors an insight into the region, and listing key research questions to be addressed by ongoing and future investigations conducted by archaeologists.

A series of free events, such as symposiums and workshops, over the next three years will give people the chance to find out more about the South West region, and contribute their ideas to the creation of the framework. The public can sign up to the ScARF enewsletter at www.scarf.scot to be the first to know about upcoming events and keep up to date as the project progresses.

The project will be undertaken by Ayrshire-based Rathmell Archaeology working in partnership with the West of Scotland Archaeology Service and Dumfries and Galloway Council. Scotland’s Archaeological Research Framework (ScARF), based at the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and primarily funded by Historic Environment Scotland, will co-ordinate the project as part of Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy.

Hugh McBrien, West of Scotland Archaeology Service, said:

“It’s now thirty years since planning authorities were given the ability to make developers avoid damaging archaeological sites, or to fund excavations to record any archaeological remains their projects might damage or destroy. In that time, thousands of archaeological interventions of all sizes have taken place across the South West of Scotland, bringing to light a huge mass of new information. This project will look at what we have learned, and find out what we still don’t know, so we can help steer new research in the most useful directions to add detail to the already rich story of this region.”

Dr Helen Spencer FSAScot, Project Manager of the Scottish Archaeological Research Framework at the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, said:

“The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is delighted to support this new project. As well as being an important new tool for professional archaeologists, we are hoping it will encourage people, both locals and visitors, to find out more about the rich heritage of the South West of Scotland and inspire them to visit sites and museums.”

Rebecca Bain, Grants Manager, Historic Environment Scotland, said:

“We are very much looking forward to working with the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland on the latest Archaeology Research Framework focusing on the South West of Scotland under our Partnership Fund. The Society has three other Research Frameworks with us under this fund and we are pleased to continue the support.”

For more information about SWSARF or other archaeological research frameworks, visit www.scarf.scot