2 10 130 https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/3/589/GGLP_Drystane-Dyking-LEAFLET.pdf 5319d8e9b400228498b54962c53ca995 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Drystane Dykes Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Reports Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Drystane Dykes, or Dry Stone Walls, are an important but often overlooked feature in the Galloway countryside. Take a closer look though, and you will see that they reveal evidence of the local geology, the ingenuity of rural peoples, and evidence of a landscape that is always changing. RuRAL REbELLIon These enclosures changed the traditional way the land was managed. To make the new fields, people who had farmed the land for generations were turned out of their homes and had nowhere to live or work. In 1724, these ‘clearances’ caused the uprising of the Galloway Levellers or ‘Dykebreakers’. Armed gangs of men, women and children roamed the countryside pulling down the dykes and sometimes killing the imported cattle. The gangs were well organised and desperate, and eventually government troops had to be brought in to stop them. This rural rebellion did however change the way landowners behaved, and although land continued to be enclosed, the pace of change slowed and alternative places to live and work were developed. DRYSTANE DYKES KELton HILL The Leveller’s Revolt of 1724 was planned at Kelton Hill Fair. To mark this important element of local history, a drystane dyke has been built at a viewpoint on Kelton Hill within the National Trust for Scotland’s Threave Estate. This fantastic example of rural workmanship showcases many different styles of drystane dyking, some unique to this part of SW Scotland. It was created by members from Scottish branches of the Dry Stone Walling Association, with welcome support from Threave staff and volunteers. WHY BOTHER WITH A WALL? The short answer is beef! About 300 years ago, the Galloway countryside in south west Scotland was much more open than today. Enclosures (walled fields) were few and far apart. Instead, children would herd cows and sheep to keep them away from the crops. Beef fetched a good price in England and so landowners began to gather cattle, often imported from Ireland, in order to sell them at southern markets. To do this more cost-effectively, they started creating enclosures to contain the cattle. View the QR code with your Smartphone camera to see a video about the design and construction of the new Kelton Hill dyke. A Guide to SW Scotland’s Dry Stone Walls DYKE StYLES Building a sound drystane dyke involves more than simply placing one stone on top of another. It in fact requires a great deal of skill, stamina and an understanding of the rules of successful dyking. However, once the rules are understood, there is a great deal of flexibility in how the available stone is used. In Galloway, every dyke is different but distinct styles can be picked out. A cRAft woRTH pRESERving gALLowAY dYkE (above) Also known as a ‘half and half’ dyke. This style of dyke is built with a double dyke at the bottom and a single dyke above. Common in sheep farming areas, the solid base provides shelter from the weather for the animals, while the ‘tottering’ appearance of the top half reduces the temptation of sheep to jump on or over it. SINgLE dYkE (above) Where large irregular stones are abundant, the dyke is built such that single stones create both faces of the wall. Where large rounded stones are used, it is usually then called a Boulder Dyke. This style of building often has noticeable gaps between the stones and is most common in upland areas. DOubLE dYkE (right) Where small stones are predominant, the dyke is built with two faces and the core is infilled with smaller stones or ‘Hearting’. Long stones called ‘Through bands’ and ‘Cover bands’ are used to ‘tie’ the dyke together and give it structural stability. This style of building produces a solid structure and is the most common style in lowland areas. By the 1930s, post and wire fencing was fast becoming the economic alternative to drystane dykes and it was feared that the craft of dyke building was disappearing. On the initiative of Colonel Rainsford Hannay, the Stewartry Drystane Dyking Committee was created in 1938 to raise funds and organise competitions to promote dyking skills. In 1968, the Stewartry Drystane Dyking Committee formed the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain, a charity which continues to work to advance education in the craft and heritage of dry stone walling for the public benefit. Today, there is a renewed enthusiasm for drystane dyking with an upsurge in interest in this fascinating rural craft. Local drystane dyking competitions still take place, and the SW Scotland Branch of the Dry Stone Walling Association holds regular training courses. Find out more at www.dswa.org.uk.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Drystane Dykes Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_129 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2020 Description An account of the resource A Guide to SW Scotland’s Dry Stone Walls GGLP heritage https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/3/588/GGLP-Barhill-Forest-Prgramme_high.pdf 510ba8972cbe6b0a60548f8182fc0c02 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Barhill Woodland Festival Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Reports Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 10am - 3pm 10th – 12th September A partnership event between Kirkcudbright Development Trust and Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities, supported by the Galloway Glens. Mini Beast Hunting Art in Nature Carys Mainprize from the Crichton Carbon Centre and their Biosphere Explorers project will lead pre-schoolers on an adventure hunt for mini-beasts through the woods. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Carys is back for the afternoon, showing pre-schoolers and their adults how to make amazing art and sculptures just from what you find in a forest. friday 10-11Am, 11AM-12PM Friday 1-2pm, 2-3PM free event free event Unicorn Walks! This is too exciting! Go on an adventure through the woods to find a real live Unicorn*! If we find him, he might take us on a walk in his woods, and let us know all the ways in which we need to protect his world. *Not a real Unicorn. But awesome nonetheless! friday 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm saturday 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm free event Woodland Art Amy Murray of Nest Nurturing Futures will be leading an art session for under 9s - see what you can find in the woods to make art with! All children must be accompanied by an adult. friday 11am-12pm free event Pole lathe - green wood turning workshop If you've always wanted to get your hands on a pole lathe, now's your chance! Join experienced woodworker Rolf Buwert for a wood-turning session suitable for people who can concentrate for 2 hours! Booking essential, £5 per head. All equipment provided. friday1-3pm £5/head Firewood sawing Interactive Storytelling Gavin Philips of Shed Therapy will be demonstrating his nifty sawing equipment - come along to pick up some tips! Amy's back for some interactive storytelling - settle in for some excellent woodland tales. Suitable for accompanied under-9s. friday, 1-3pm saturday, 1-3pm friday 1.30-3pm free event - JUST DROP IN! free event Dendrochronology tour Join Coralie Mills of Dendrochronicle for a tour of the history of the Barhill Woods as seen through the ages of the trees. Including a tree-coring demonstration. Friday 2-3.30pm saturday10-11.30am free event Light Show The woodland behind the Outdoor Classroom will be lit up for a peaceful wander each evening. Poetry Friday 7-9pm saturday 7-9pm Sunday 7-9pm free event - just drop in! Pine Marten and Squirrel talk Stephanie Johnstone of the D&G Pine Martin Group will give a fascinating insight into the relationship between these two amazing animals. Free event, but booking essential - limited spaces as this is an indoor event (Classroom) Friday 7pm free event Exhibition The GCAT 'Ken Words' project helps people draw inspiration from their landscapes through writing. In Spring 2019, they came to Barhill Woods, and this exhibition is just some of their writing and photos from that event. On display in the Outdoor Classroom throughout the Festival. friday, Saturday & Sunday free event 'Woodland Birds for Beginners' walk Gavin Chambers will lead a walk around the woodlands, hoping to spot and identify some of the many species that call Barhill woods their home. Quiet people of all ages welcome! Saturday 10-11am free event Viking Craft den making Join Karen Slattery and her forest school team to get your hands dirty in the woods! First up is den-making. Suitable for children up to 12, accompanied by an adult. demonstrations saturday 10-11am free event saturday 10am-12pm, 1-3pm sunday 10am-12pm, 1-3pm Fire making Next the team will be turning their attention to fire-making! Suitable for 5 16 year olds. Under 12s must be accompanied by an adult. saturday 11-12noon free event Forest school Karen and the team will be putting on a range of Forest School activities suitable for under 12s with their accompanying adults - find out just how much fun there is to be had in the forest! The Vikings are here! Join the team from Cluaran Haven for demonstrations and hands-on activities, from Torc-making to net-weaving to leather-marking. But where will you bury your Hoard when you've made it?! saturday 1-3pm free event just drop in! free event - Just drop in! Hammer making Steven Whitehead will be demonstrating the ancient art of hammer-making in this drop-in workshop. come and see how it's done! saturday 10am-12pm, 1-3pm sunday 10am-12pm, 1-3pm free event - just drop in! Vampire stake whittling It's very important to keep the vampires at bay, so if you've got some little ones who want to be prepared (and can handle a sharp knife with some confidence), come along to make your very own stake! saturday 10am-12pm sunday 10am-12pm, 1-3pm free event - just drop in! Pole lathe - green wood turning demo Rolf is back with his pole lathe, this time demonstrating the art of green wood turning. But if you ask him nicely, you might be able to get a go! saturday 10am-12pm, 1-3pm sunday 10am-12pm, 1-3pm free event - just drop in! Demo - Making Tree Identification kitchen implements walk Stuart Morrison will be demonstrating how to make a range of kitchen implements from wooden blanks - stop by to see the skills! Chris Ingram will lead a tour round the barhill trees, which only benefit from closer inspection. Learn all those tree names you always meant to! saturday 10am-12pm sunday 10am-12pm saturday 2-3pm sunday 2-3pm free event - Just drop in! free event Evening BBQ Families Wildlife up to 12 years Photography Course The Kirkcudbright Youth Club and Kirkcudbright Rotary are putting on an evening BBQ to celebrate the festival. Saturday evening is for families with children up to 12 years. Cash donations appreciated. Join local photographer Alan McFadden for tips and tricks on improving or starting out in wildlife photography. There's no better place to do that than the Barhill Red Squirrel hide! Booking essential - limited spaces. saturday 6-8pm Sunday 9-11am free event - just drop in! £10/head more Woodland Art Forest School Amy Murray and Lizzie Priestly of Nest Nurturing Futures are back on Sunday for some more woodland art activities. Amy and Lizzie will be leading some Forest School activities in the woodland, suitable for accompanied under 12s. Loads of fun in the forest! sunday 10am-12pm sunday 1-3pm free event - just drop in! free event - just drop in! Evening BBQ 12+ The Kirkcudbright Youth Club and Kirkcudbright Rotary are back with a second BBQ to celebrate the festival, this time for young people 12+. Cash donations appreciated. Sunday 7-9pm free event - just drop in! Thanks so much to all our volunteers, partners, deliverers and funders who have made this event possible. For more details about this event, or about any of the deliverers, contact Helen.Keron@dumgal.gov.uk Our support from the Galloway Glens (using their National Lottery Heritage Fund grant) and from Dumfries and Galloway Council’s ‘Community Events’ fund has allowed us to put on most of these events for free. However, if you would like to see the festival continue into 2022, please consider making a donation to the Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities when you attend. find out more at www.kirkcudbright.town www.gallowayglens.org Some practicalities covid Most activities at this Festival are available to just turn up at, and almost all are outdoors. Despite the relaxing of COVID restrictions, please continue to be respectful of the deliverers, volunteers and other attendees’ personal space. If one station is busy, just move on to the next! Please note that the programme may change - please see the website for the most up to date information. Some events are bookable Make sure you’ve read the programme carefully to avoid disappointment! parking There is NO PARKING at the woods throughout this event. The top and bottom carparks will be out of bounds each day. Please park in the town centre and walk up, or use the FREE SHUTTLE BUS to access the woods. It will shuttle to and from the Harbour Square each day of the festival from 10-3. Limited parking available in the evenings. Accessibility The main path in the woodland is wheelchair accessible, but unfortunately, not all the activity stations will be. Contact Helen.Keron@dumgal.gov.uk for more details. There will be limited disabled parking spots available for drop-offs and pick-ups at the top carpark. There will be temporary toilets (portaloos) available behind the Classroom for the duration of the Festival. note There is no food and drink available at the woodland apart from the evening bbqs. Please be sure to bring enough for yourself and your group for your stay. This is the first time we’ve done this, so please be kind!  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Barhill Woodland Festival Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_128 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2021 Description An account of the resource Programme for a partnership event between Kirkcudbright Development Trust and Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities, supported by the Galloway Glens. access GGLP https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/3/587/GGLP-201115-Online-JMA-2020-Final-Report.pdf 60b8002c93690ae9b8e90151100a5261 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online John Muir Award Programme 2020 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Reports Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document OFFICIAL Galloway Glens Online John Muir Award Programme 2020 Final Report 1. Outline The Online John Muir Award programme was initiated as a response to the Covid 19 restrictions during summer 2020. The aims of the project were to: • • Actively engage with the public during Covid 19 restrictions, and provide an alternative to facilitated outdoor projects that could not be undertaken. Encourage and support people, especially families, to engage meaningfully and actively with their local environment during Covid 19 restrictions and beyond. Extending the ethos of our ‘Go Wild’ summer project in 2019, the programme also committed to being widely accessible, free to take part in and to promote outdoor activities that are free or low cost and do not require specialist knowledge or equipment. The John Muir Awards were chosen to provide a focus for the programme but with the flexibility for participants to tailor their activities to suit them and their chosen area. The Family awards enable all ages to participate. The John Muir Trust were keen to support the programme. “You have a wonderful basis for an Award. It is open and flexible, which is ideal for an online group working in their own chosen wild places and I loved that there is such a high level of support” Jenny Holmes, John Muir Award Scotland Project Officer 1 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL To meet the criteria for a John Muir ‘Discover’ Award, either Family or Individual, participants are required to complete 24 hours of activities that encompass the four challenge areas: to Discover, Explore, Conserve and Share wild places. The Galloway Glens Online John Muir Award programme was designed to support participants to complete the award criteria, through direct online communication and providing a platform for participants to connect and share activities. Galloway Glens acted as the Award Provider, responsible for assessment and putting forward participants for their Award. Because the programme ran remotely with participants from different locations, each participant was encouraged to tailor their activities to their own chosen area and interests. Although the majority of participants were living in or visiting the Galloway Glens area during the programme, some were from other parts of Dumfries and Galloway or Scotland but had a connection to the area. All based their activities at least partly in Dumfries and Galloway. The project was conceived and prepared over a short timescale, preparations beginning midJune for delivery from 3rd July. An end date for participation was given as 10th August, with some leeway for those taking longer to complete and record their Award activities. 2 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL 2. Key Outcomes As a result of the programme: • • • • • • • • 24 people achieved a John Muir ‘Discover’ Award. 44 adults, young people and children actively engaged in discovering, exploring, conserving and sharing their experiences of local landscape and wildlife over the summer. Of the above, all achieved this in time spent wholly or partly within the Galloway Glens area. Galloway Glens has achieved John Muir Award Provider status for 2020 / 2021 Positive recognition and feedback has been generated for the Galloway Glens from the public, other organisations / landscape partnerships, the John Muir Trust and other funders - particularly in recognition for an innovative response to Covid-19 restrictions A new, open Facebook group will be established for sharing local outdoor ideas, activities and information for families with a focus on the Galloway Glens area A series of video resources on the land and wildlife in the Galloway Glens area has been created A bank of ideas, activities and resources created by the participants is available as a resource for future projects “It has been interesting how much my eyes have opened more to the ‘wild’ around us in terms of wildlife, food and general beauty, even though I thought I took a lot of notice before!” (Family) 3 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL 3. Numbers Initial interest was high and achieved primarily through online / social media advertising. The number of participants moving through from interest, registration, engagement and completion reduced over time - 31% of those signing up completed their Awards, while 48% were active participants. To put this in context, recent research on accredited and non-accredited online courses found an average completion rate of 12.6%, most ranging between 5% and 22% completion. Initial enquiries Registration requests Sign-ups Active participants Awards completed Individual Awards 13 9 6 3 3 Family Awards 28 28 23 11 6 Total Awards 41 37 29 14 (44 people in total) 9 (24 people in total) Of those signing up but not completing the online John Muir Award programme, some did not engage at all after initial registration but most made contact and cited a change in circumstances during the duration of the programme such as increased family or work commitments as the reason for their withdrawal. Some also said that, although the idea of completing a John Muir Award had initially attracted them and they found the ideas and support useful, they found that they preferred to enjoy outdoor activities without the pressure of completing the criteria. Number of adults and children by age (including each person participating via a Family Award, some families including participants both under and over 12) Active participants Awards completed Adults 18 9 12+ 5 5 Under 12 21 10 Total 44 24 “Whilst doing the John Muir Award, I discovered that coastlines and beaches can be so different and diverse both in habitat and species that live there. I will continue to explore my local area and further afield to discover new places and what secrets they hold. I have always been interested in nature since I was small and will continue to do so. I find being in nature makes me happy and peaceful. There is so much to learn and discover. When I am older, I would love to work with animals or in conservation.” (Individual, aged 14) 4 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL 4. Process The programme was carried out by the Galloway Glens Education and Community Engagement Officer (EO), Helen Keron, and freelance Project Coordinator (PC), Mary Smith. Mary was also the project coordinator for the pilot Galloway Glens ‘Go Wild’ programme in 2019, which also delivered John Muir Discover awards Time Early June Focus Award Proposal Tasks • Initial contact with John Muir Trust; Award proposal completed and approval for the award programme granted Mid June Publicity • Graphic designer commissioned to produce an advert for the programme • Programme advertised through Galloway Glens website and social media, local press release and poster display e.g. at Tesco’s • Information pack sent to those who enquired Registration Registration • Registration forms designed closed 3rd • Registration forms sent as requested July • Registration information collated End June Facebook Group • Closed Facebook group created for programme Start July Introduction • Welcome and introductory emails sent • Activity Log online form created and sent • Ideas and resources information sheet created and sent Ongoing Ongoing • Ongoing individual email contact with participants in July / support response to questions or problems, and for August encouragement • Engagement through Facebook group Newsletters • Online newsletters created and distributed with extra ideas / resources / showcasing activities so far End July ‘Checking in’ • Individual emails checking in mid-way through programme Early Aug JMT • Checking in with JMT to review progress communication Early Aug ‘Finishing up’ • Individual emails sent towards end of programme End date Assessment • Activity logs and other records gathered and reviewed 10th Aug Mid Aug Completion • Individual confirmation of completion and congratulation emails sent End Aug Certificates • Certificate request form completed and sent to JMT • Galloway Glens certificates designed and completed • Certificates posted to participants End Aug Feedback • SurveyMonkey feedback form designed and sent • Verbal / email feedback gathered 5 OFFICIAL Who PC EO with input from PC PC EO PC PC PC EO PC / PC PC PC PC PC PC EO PC PC PC / OFFICIAL 5. Examples of Activities Participants entered into a wide range of activities within the four Award criteria, and were encouraged to share these as they went, along with any questions or concerns. Whenever possible, ideas were suggested that built on or expanded the scope of activities in line with the award criteria, and participants linked to resources or organisations to help them with this. Some of the activities undertaken were: Discover / Explore • • • • Mapping Barrhill Woods and researching its history Visiting new Solway beaches and recording seaweeds, rockpool fauna and seashore plants Exploring Loch Mitton in detail by walking around the shore, by kayak and swimming Revisiting a spot many times, e.g. Loch Ken shore, garden or field at end of house and observing and recording the variety and quantity of wildlife and nature they contain Conserve • • • • • • • • • Taking part in The Big Butterfly Count Making hedgehog and minibeast ‘hotels’ Rescuing and hatching snail eggs Litter picking and creating anti-litter posters Making posters detailing local flora and fauna, and showing ideas for conservation projects Creating bee feeders Joining local conservation groups, e.g. D & G Eco Warriors and Loch Ken Trust Carrying out moth surveys Carrying out wild-flower surveys Share • • • • • • Creating poems, art works and maps and sharing online and in newsletter Inviting friends and family to join in walks Writing articles for newsletter Posting activities and observations online Making and posting you-tube video on moth trapping and moth varieties Creating a wild-flower identification booklet 6 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL 6. Feedback Informal feedback was requested throughout the programme and gathered both through email and the Facebook group. At the end of the programme, a link to a short online questionnaire was sent by email to those still actively participating and also to those who had withdrawn from the programme but given permission to be contacted for feedback. The link was also posted on the Facebook group. All participants responding to the feedback survey reported being ‘unlikely or very unlikely’ to have undertaken a John Muir Award this summer without the Galloway Glens online programme. All respondents agreed that as a result of participating they had spent more time discovering and exploring wild places, and also that they were inspired to spend more time discovering, exploring and conserving wild places in the future. Most also agreed that they had a greater understanding of and appreciation for wild places and more awareness of conservation issues and opportunities locally. Only half agreed that they had undertaken activities they would be less likely to do otherwise, indicating that the level of outdoor engagement was already quite high. This in a sense adds more value to the other statements, as the majority of these families and individuals were already actively engaging with the outdoors but still felt they had been inspired and gained greater understanding and appreciation as a result of participating. The programme also attracted interest from other Landscape Partnerships, and we were delighted to share information and resources on the programme with both the Isle of Axholme & Hatfield Chase Landscape Partnership and the Coigach & Assynt Living Landscape Partnership Scheme. “Thank you. we have really enjoyed the past few weeks. After lockdown I really wanted to explore locally and get to know more of lovely D&G. The award really focused this which has been wonderful.” (Family) 7 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL 7. Considerations for future programmes Approach Two of the participants who did not complete the programme said they would like to have seen more a more directive approach, with prescribed activities. However, this would have been difficult to achieve with the range of places and interests within the group, and less in keeping with the John Muir Award ethos. Instead, it is recommended that future programmes use clear, specific examples of the kinds of activities that could be done, drawing on the work of participants this year. This should help to make a range of example activities readily available without being prescriptive, as well as to demonstrate the recording process. As stated earlier, it is worth considering the degree to which achieving the Award is the focus of the programme. Facebook group This was very effective and at the suggestion of participants will evolve into a public group for Spring 2021. It is definitely worth exploring alternatives to Facebook that would enable younger people / those not on social media to participate in a similar way. Newsletters These were time consuming for the PC and less interactive compared with the Facebook group – feedback suggested they were appreciated, and they were an attempt to involve and give a platform to those not participating in social media. However, if all participants are engaging on social media or equivalent the newsletter may not be necessary. Online forms Forms were designed and sent using Adobe Acrobat DC after investigating a number of platforms. The registration form sent individually through the ‘Fill and Sign’ application worked well. The other forms (activity log and four challenge review), sent collectively, were unreliable as online documents and were off-putting for some. In future, it is recommended that examples of documentation be given instead, and participants create their own. 8 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Timing Five weeks was a reasonable amount of time to ensure people had time to complete the hours required, averaging 4 / 5 hours per week to complete the Awards. However, as restrictions started to ease and work commitments increased towards the end of the summer, and with the start of school approaching, the focus began to drift and some participants found they no longer had the time to finish. In future, an end date around a week before the end of term would be more helpful, as well as a clearer indication in the initial information of the time commitment required. Webinars and other group meeting opportunities It had been thought to include at least one webinar as part of the programme, to provide extra input and an opportunity for participants to meet live online. However, as the programme evolved, it appeared that participants were happy with the level of engagement the Facebook group provided, and ‘experts’ videos that were filmed for the programme took the place of the webinar idea. If circumstances allowed, mixing online support, a Facebook group or similar, and some opportunities to meet up and participate in activities in person could be a great combination and may help to keep a larger number engaged throughout. “We have always spent a lot of time outside as a family but the online John Muir award has definitely inspired us to get out more and properly ‘see’ what we have perhaps just taken for granted. By showing our friends our wild spaces, we have realised how properly lucky we are.” (Family) 9 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL 8. Conclusion Although the numbers completing the award was significantly lower than those initially signing up, the quality of participation and the enthusiasm shared with those who embraced the programme was high and more than achieved the aims of the Awards and the programme. The programme perhaps worked best for those who had already had an outdoor focus, were used to engaging their family or as individuals with outdoor activities, had sufficient time to devote to activities and were happy to engage with the Facebook group. It may have worked less well for those with less confidence and experience outside, or those who were unable to spend as much time supporting their families through the award. In order to better support families and individuals in this category, a more targeted and directive programme of activities may be more appropriate, and some thought could be given to a programme that focused on bringing families together for activities designed to increase confidence and participation in outdoor activities, when restrictions allow. This could be achieved through a blended approach of online and in-person contact. The fact that some participants reported that the Facebook group was inspirational and a valuable support in encouraging and inspiring outdoor activity, even when meeting the award criteria was not possible, indicates that the programme has value beyond the target of completing the John Muir Award. Although the John Muir Award was a good focus for some, it is important that the activities are valued and celebrated for their own sake and there is no sense of failure associated with not completing the Award criteria. Finally, there was some particularly pleasing work undertaken by younger participants, including artwork for posters, writing and video diaries. Building on these, the Galloway Glens could consider projects targeted at young people directly online or in-person, such as wildlife filming, photography workshops or competitions, conservation workshops or similar. Content aimed at this demographic could perhaps be done in partnership with GCAT Youth Arts, Kirkcudbright Youth Group and / or council youth work services. This could also be one way to continue to engage with young people involved previously either through the Go Wild or Online John Muir Awards programmes Mary Smith, Project Coordinator, Nov. 2020 Thanks to participants for the use of some of their many fantastic photos Appendices – available on request from helen.keron@dumgal.gov.uk 1. 2. 3. Initial ideas sheet sent to all participants Newsletters examples Activity records - 3 example logs of activities and hours per activity 10 OFFICIAL  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online John Muir Award Programme 2020 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_127 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2020 Description An account of the resource The Online John Muir Award programme was initiated as a response to the Covid 19 restrictions during summer 2020. The aims of the project were to actively engage with the public during Covid 19 restrictions, and provide an alternative to facilitated outdoor projects that could not be undertaken; and encourage and support people, especially families, to engage meaningfully and actively with their local environment during Covid 19 restrictions and beyond. access GGLP https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/3/586/Tales-from-Kirkcudbright-bay-booklet.pdf 71626bc6ce1acb11bd6faef07b5f03a7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tales from Kirkcudbright Bay Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Reports Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Tales from Kirkcudbright Bay Where Every Place Tells a Story Kirkcudbright Bay This guide is an introduction to some of the stories inspired by people and places in Kirkcudbright Bay. It is the tidal estuary of the River Dee and is a perfect place to explore a varied shoreline of rocky headlands, sandy bays, pebble beaches and cliffs with caves that will inspire your imagination. Explore the seashore and discover the dramatic seascape but remember to take care on the coast. A walking guide, Kirkcudbright Bay Walks, is also available and describes three routes to access the magical countryside where you can stand in the shade of a woodland and hear the call of the curlew or feel a sea breeze while exploring an old graveyard. Ask people who know the area where the good places are to visit or get a detailed Ordnance Survey map and look up tide timetables to plan your own adventure. Bay Tales Places are made from stories and by retelling the story of a place its meaning is brought to life. All names begin by describing a place to other people, as a way of helping us find our way in the world. With one or two words they tell a story that provides clues about the history of our coast and reveal what people considered noteworthy. A name can help to identify places of archaeological importance or landmarks that are the setting for folk tales or works of fiction. Some names have existed for hundreds of years, while others are a modern phenomenon, but they all tell a story. Take TAKECare CARE Enjoy your visit to the coast, but always remember to be careful. Scottish weather can be unpredictable. Check weather forecasts and take appropriate clothing and footwear. The coast can be rugged and remote, so tell a family member or friend where you are going and when you expect to be back. The Solway has one of the largest tidal ranges in the world. Remember to check the tide times to avoid becoming stranded on the vast sand-flats or in tidal bays. The coast is bursting with life so try to avoid disturbing wildlife, particularly shore-nesting birds in spring. The coast is beautiful and to keep it that way please take your litter home with you. Richardson’s Rock A local story tells us of the day when Janet Richardson went to the shore to collect mussels at low tide. Preoccupied in her task, she did not notice the incoming tide and was stranded on a rocky island. Surrounded by the sea, she pulled up her skirt and plunged into the water. Luckily, her clothes acted as a buoyancy aid and finding herself floating in the sea, she was washed ashore by strong currents to Milton Sands, near the beach at The Doon. From that day onwards the rocks became known as Richardson’s Rocks. O.S. map location: Rocks in the sound of Little Ross NX655432 1 Madras Cottages 2 The barque Madras arrived at Whitehaven in January 1884 with a cargo of timber from America. While waiting for a high tide at the harbour the winds became gale force and the captain decided to run for shelter in Kirkcudbright Bay. On entering the bay she struck the sand bar and began to break up. Three fishermen put to sea in a small boat and rescued the crew. The cottages next to Harbour Cottage Art Gallery were rebuilt by Lord Selkirk after the incident and are believed to have been rented to the brave fishermen at a nominal rent. For many years they were known as Madras Cottages. O.S. map location: Cottages in Kirkcudbright NX681510 Senwick Church Yard Senwick, derived from the Norse meaning Sand Bay, was a parish until it was united with the parish of Borgue in 1670. The ruins of the old parish church are situated within a graveyard and the burial vault of the ‘Blairs of Dundrod’ still stands. The manse ruins are located between the graveyard and the shore. The headstone of Robert Watson marks the grave of a drowned lighthouse keeper from Little Ross. He had gone to Kirkcudbright to buy stores and commissioned a local fisherman and his son to take him and the supplies back to Little Ross. It is not known what went wrong but the next day the bodies were discovered washed up on the shore. O.S. map location: Senwick Church remains NX655460 3 Frenchman’s Rock 4 A local tradition tells us that Senwick Church was once plundered by French pirates. They stole the silver plate from the altar but they paid with their lives as they made their escape. The heavens, as if watching over this act, stirred up the winds and waves and the ship was wrecked on the rocks. Frenchman’s Rock is named after this memorable event but the silver was never recovered. It is also said that one foggy night the rock was bombarded by local soldiers in the mistaken belief that it was John Paul Jones’s ship on a raid to Kirkcudbright. O.S. map location: Frenchman’s Rock NX660463 Carlin’s Cove A local tale tells us that the tiny cave in Senwick Bay known as Carlin’s Cove was a hiding place for a Covenanter called Dixon during the religious persecutions of the killing times. The cave is very small and it seems unlikely that it was a good hiding place, however recent research has revealed that there is some truth in the story. Archive records of a court case in 1684 identifies Mareon McKie from nearby Over Senwick (now Upper Senwick) as being accused of helping a fugitive named John Richardson, his surname being shortened to Dixon in the collective memory. O.S. map location: Senwick Bay NX657471 5 Devil’s Thrashing Floor 6 Also known as the Devil’s Threshing Floor it is recorded in the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey name book as being a rock at high tide but is generally believed to identify an area of mud flats where a ‘dog leg’ line of boulders reaches out towards the river channel. An 1802 plan of fish traps identifies the line of boulders as a stone fish yair (trap) and was probably in use for many hundreds of years. Perhaps the name is a reference to the fish thrashing in the trap when it is revealed at low tide. The map shows another ancient fish trap at Goat Well Bay where there is also line of boulders. O.S. map location: Devil’s Thrashing Floor NX659473 Monrieth Low tide reveals the ribs of the wrecked schooner named the Monreith. She was built at Port William in 1880 and owned by Alex Hill in Ireland. In November 1900 she was on passage from Newcastle, County Down to Silloth with a cargo of 100 tonnes of granite kerbstones and put into Kirkcudbright Bay to shelter from a storm. She struck the sand bar and was driven into Goat Well Bay on the Milton Sands. The crew escaped unharmed before the lifeboat reached them and they returned to Ireland with assistance from the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society. Every year a little more of the Monreith disappears. TAKE CARE the sand and mud can be treacherous next to the wreck! O.S. map location: Nun Mill Bay / The Doon NX658485 7 Clinking Haven 8 This small bay appears to be named after the clinking sound made by the stones on the shore when they are disturbed by waves. Beyond the bay is the Shoulder O’ Craig where remains of a volcanic vent has been identified by geologists. The vent was probably created by gases escaping from a volcano before it was filled by lava and shattered rocks. Evidence of the vent is provided by an outcrop of basalt containing shards of stone, a sharp contrast with the surrounding sedimentary beds of mudstones and sandstones known as greywacke. O.S. map location: Shoulder O’ Craig NX662490 Paul Jones’s Point John Paul Jones’s Point refers to the memory of a remarkable event in the history of St Mary’s Isle. Jones was born in Galloway and became a sailor on merchant ships before joining the fledgling United States Navy during the American revolution. In 1778 as commander of the Ranger he made an unsuccessful assault on Whitehaven so he sailed to Kirkcudbright Bay. A plan to capture the Earl of Selkirk and hold him to ransom failed because the Earl was away. The crew took the family silver instead although it appears Jones later returned it to the family with a letter of apology. He went on to have a valiant role in a battle off Flamborough Head in Yorkshire and is remembered today as an American Naval Hero. O.S. map location: Paul Jones’s Point NX673484 9 Lady’s Bay 10 Kirkcudbright lifeboat station and slipway was constructed in 1892 to replace the first lifeboat station located in the town. Despite the longer journey for the crew to reach the lifeboat, the new location ensured access to water even at low tide and greatly reduced the time taken to get the boat out onto the open sea. Beyond the lifeboat station a crushed stone path continues through the deciduous woodland passing Bathing House Bay. There is no sign of a bathing house today and the site is known locally as Lady’s Bay, perhaps because in the past it was a favourite place for the Lady of the estate to bathe. A sandy beach is revealed at low tide and the bay remains an ideal place for a dip. O.S. map location: Bathing House Bay NX673461 Witchwife Haven Halftide Rock is located at the mouth of the estuary and as the name implies is only exposed at half-tide. It provides a guide to the depth of water to sailors who need to approach Kirkcudbright when the tide is high. The sheltered bay of Witchwife Haven is no longer marked on maps and the reason it was named after a witch is not clear. Coastal stacks are sometimes called Witch Rocks and the stack next to the cliff within the bay may be the inspiration for the unusual name. The bay remains a haven for small boats waiting for the tides to change or sheltering from an unfavourable wind. O.S. map location: Halftide Rock NX672450 11 Flint Bay 12 Although this name does not appear on maps it is known by sailors as Flint Bay because of the large number of flints found only in this location. An explanation for this geological oddity (the nearest flints are found in Northern Ireland) lies in the tale of a wreck in January 1816. The sloop, Ellen and Agnes, laden with beef, hides and flint was lost here and the three crew members were drowned. All that remains of the wreck is a bay scattered with the cargo of flints and a place name that has become part of our oral tradition. O.S. map location: Halftide Rock NX673451 Ravens Nest The raven is the largest of the crow family with a distinct shape and a heavy bill. Tumbling in the updrafts of a sea cliff the ‘gronking’ call of a raven is one of the most evocative sounds of our rugged shoreline. Ravens often return to the same spot each spring and bring new nest material so that the nests become large, untidy piles of sticks that remain as a landmark long after the nest has been abandoned. However, the name may not refer to a nest at all but instead be derived from the word ness meaning a promontory. O.S. map location: Halftide Rock NX673450 13 Gauger’s Loup 14 This place name refers to a fictitious customs man who was often called a Gauger because he tested and measured the contents of casks, and Loup the Scots for leap. In later editions of ‘Guy Mannering’ by Sir Walter Scott he notes; strangers who visit this place, the scenery which is highly romantic, are also shown, under the name of Gauger’s Loup, a tremendous precipice, being the same, it is asserted, from which Kennedy is precipitated. In ‘Guy Mannering’ smugglers kidnap a boy after he witnesses them murdering a customs officer named Kennedy by pushing him off a cliff. It seems enterprising locals identified this real place with one that features in the popular story. O.S. map location: Gauger’s Loup NX673448 Sapphire The Ordnance Survey surveyor recording place names in the mid 1800s appears to have realised that this name has probably arisen from a misunderstanding. Although he identifies two people who confirm that this stretch of coastline was called Sapphire he also noted that the New Statistical Account states; upon the rocks towards the sea is found an abundance of samphire. Rock samphire is a succulent plant at its northern most range and only grows in Scotland where it can make the most of the sun warmed south facing cliffs. The pungent leaves of this plant were once collected to make into a pickle. O.S. map location: Gauger’s Loup NX674447 15 Keaw Cove 16 This cave is christened Keaw which is a local Scots name for jackdaw, however the Ordnance Survey surveyor recording place names in the 1840s noted that the recently published New Statistical Account stated that at this location; rears a lofty head facing the sea, forming a frightful precipice,….frequented by the redlegged jackdaw. The red-legged jackdaw is now more commonly known as a chough and are a species which no longer lives on the Solway coast. Chough can be found on similar coastal habitats in the Isle of Man and perhaps one day they will return to this rugged coast. O.S. map location: Gauger’s Loup NX673447 Dirk Hatteraick’s Cove Torrs Cave was also known as Torrs Cove. There is no doubt that in times past the indented shoreline was attractive to smugglers and was the haunt of the infamous Jack Yawkins. It is thought that the character of smuggler Dirk Hatteraick in Sir Walter Scott’s novel Guy Mannering was based on Yawkins and for a while Torrs Cove was renamed Dirk Hatteraick’s Cove. Caves are probably not the best hiding place for smuggled goods but archaeological excavations have shown that the cave was used as a shelter for thousands of years and intriguing carvings have been removed for safe keeping in the Stewartry Museum. O.S. map location: Torrs Cave NX676445 17 3 Nun Mill Bay or The Doon Old Senwick Churchyard Meikle Ross 1 7 6 5 8 Torrs Point 2 Castle Barhill Woods Mutehill Dundrennan MOD Range Torrs Farm Lifeboat 10 Sta�on John Paul Jones’s Point St Mary’s Isle 9 Point of the Isle 17 11/12/13 14/15/16 Li�le Ross Manxman’s Lake KIRKCUDBRIGHT Mill Hall Devil’s Threshing Floor Senwick Bay 4 Frenchman’s Rock Bay right Kirkcudb  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tales from Kirkcudbright Bay Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_126 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2020 access GGLP https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/3/585/Kirkcudbright-Bay-View-Paths_web-2020.pdf 506aa965b98ed0c914fb48d6ba251aaa Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Kirkcudbright Bay Paths – A Walking Guide Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Reports Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document KIRKCUDBRIGHT BAY PATHS SCOTLAND’S SOUTHERN COAST Take Care Enjoy your visit to the coast but remember to be careful. Scottish weather can be unpredictable. Check weather forecasts and take appropriate clothing and footwear. Scottish coasts can be rugged and remote, so tell a family member or friend where you are going and when you expect to be back. The Solway coast has one of the biggest tidal ranges in the world. Remember to check tide times to avoid getting stranded on the sandflats or tidal bays. The coast is bursting with life so try to avoid disturbing wildlife, particularly shorenesting birds in spring. The coast is beautiful. Take your litter home with you to keep it that way. Wreck of the Monreith 2 Kirkcudbright marina Where the Dee Meets the Sea The tidal estuary of Kirkcudbright Bay is a perfect place to explore a varied shoreline of rocky headlands, sandy bays, pebble beaches and cliffs with caves that will inspire your imagination. This guide describes three walks that will introduce the magical countryside of Kirkcudbright Bay, where you can stand in the shade of a woodland and hear the call of the curlew or feel a sea breeze while exploring an old graveyard. Where a river meets the sea is a dynamic place with the rhythm of tides and seasons making every visit a delight. Whether you want a gentle amble around St Mary’s Isle, a stroll to enjoy clifftop views from Torrs Point or a more demanding ramble through the undulating woodland on the Senwick shore, this guide helps you discover a landscape steeped in history where there are many tales to tell. This guide is a good introduction to Kirkcudbright Bay, but do ask people who know the area for the best places to visit or get Ordnance Survey Explorer 312 map and plan your own adventure as well. 3 START: Car park Harbour Square, Kirkcudbright OS GRID REF: NX 683510 WHAT3WORDS: palettes.proceeds.care SIGN POSTED AS: St Mary’s Isle core path number 151 RATING: Family Adventurers Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2019 4 Old boathouse slipway St Mary’s Isle Walk 4.5 miles Grade: Easy This is circular walk around the edge of St Mary’s Isle on pavements, tracks and beaten earth paths. Start at the Harbour Square car park and walk up St Cuthbert Street to the cross road with St Mary’s Street and turn right. Pass Kirkcudbright Art Gallery on the left (where there are many fine paintings of Kirkcudbright Bay) and the Stewartry Museum on the right (where you can discover more about the area). At the junction with Castledykes Road, branch onto a tree lined drive through a gateway between the two roads. Follow the track until you see a footpath on the right where the track bends to the left. The footpath, known as Sailor’s Walk, follows the shoreline where the River Dee meets the sea. The name St Mary’s Isle is misleading because it is not an island but a narrow peninsular jutting out into Kirkcudbright Bay, named after the 12th century Augustinian Priory dedicated to St Mary. No remains of the priory can be seen today but the place name Great Cross is believed to mark the location of the main entrance to St Mary’s Priory. 5 St Mary's Isle walk St Mary’s Isle became the seat of the Earl of Selkirk who built “The Isle” mansion on the site of the priory and established gardens, once considered to be “one of the loveliest spots in Scotland”. The mansion house was demolished and replaced with another in 1897 which was lost to fire in the winter of 1940. The gardens fell into disuse but clumps of rhododendron and bamboo are garden escapees that are remains of exotic planting. Other reminders of past uses include the remains of a jetty at Slate Harbour and a ruined boathouse and slipway on the shore. The path continues to the Point of the Isle where there is a small island known as the Inch - derived from Inis meaning island in Gaelic. From here there are views through the trees into Kirkcudbright Bay framed by wooded shores, with Little Ross island and lighthouse guarding the mouth of the estuary. Now returning to Kirkcudbright, the bay on your right is known as Manxman’s Lake, where in the days of sail the intertidal flats were often busy with vessels loading or unloading in the few hours before the tide came in and they re-floated. The name may simply refer to traders from the Isle of Man who used the area as a port, or it could refer to an event in 1507 when the Earl of Derby and a large fleet from the Isle of Man attacked and devastated Kirkcudbright. 6 Rocks on the shore are known as John Paul Jones’s Point and refer to the memory of a remarkable event in the history of St Mary’s Isle. John Paul Jones was born in Galloway and became a sailor on merchant ships but events led him to join the fledgling United States Navy during the American revolution. In 1778, as the commander of the USS Ranger, he planned an unsuccessful assault on Whitehaven. He next sailed to Kirkcudbright Bay with a plan to capture the Earl of Selkirk to hold him to ransom in exchange for American sailors. The plan was thwarted because the Earl was away. The crew took the family silver instead but it appears John Paul Jones later returned it to the family with a letter of apology. John Paul Jones later had a valiant role in a battle off Flamborough Head and is remembered today as an American Naval Hero. At a T junction, turn right onto a track, still keeping the shore line on the right, and continue past a field with metal estate fencing. Turn right at the next T junction and follow the signposted track alongside another field to reach the road and then turn left to return to Kirkcudbright town centre. John Paul Jones’s Point 7 START: Car Park Doon Beach OS GRID REF: NX 657487 WHAT3WORDS: hazelnuts.tooth.dote SIGN POSTED AS: Millhall to Ross Bay core path number 220 RATING: Family Adventurers Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2019 8 Wreck of the Monreith Senwick Shore Walk 4 miles Grade: Moderate This linear coastal walk to Senwick old church and back involves a short length of road verge and quiet road followed by a beaten earth path with some steep sections and a few narrow burns to cross. This woodland walk is particularly enjoyable in the morning when the sun glints on the waters of Kirkcudbright Bay. Alternative longer routes link the path to Brighouse Bay (5 miles) or add a cliff top walk round Miekle Ross (7 miles). Start at the car park at the popular beach known locally as the Doon on the west side of the bay, approximately 3 miles south of Kirkcudbright. The beach is shown as Nun Mill Bay on many maps but the ‘unofficial’ name is derived from the nearby Doon Hill where there are the earthworks of an ancient fort hidden in the woodland. The Doon has a number of small sheltered sandy beaches between rocky outcrops and at low tide the wreck of the Monreith can be seen lying in the sands where it came to rest over 100 years ago. Beware if you visit the wreck because there are sometimes patches of sinking sands! 9 The Doon From the car park, walk up the hill for a short distance on the road verge and take a left turn into Mill Hall. Follow the road round to the left where it becomes a dead-end and the path is signposted between numbers 3 and 4 Mill Hall. The beaten earth path meanders through the wooded coast with views down into Kirkcudbright Bay. Lines of boulders are all that remains of ancient fish traps at Goatwell Bay and the evocatively named Devil’s Thrashing Floor where a nearby short spur path leads to a point where you can view the rugged coast. The place name Senwick is Old Norse meaning Sandy Bay, and although the original name may have referred to a number of sandy bays in the area, the small bay named Senwick Bay has a sandy shore that is revealed at low tide. Hidden in the low cliffs is a small cave known as Carlin’s Cove. Local tradition tells us that in the 1680s this cave was used as a refuge by a covenanter avoiding persecution by troops during the ‘killing times’. 10 Speckled wood In the spring the woods are full of bluebells and wild garlic. If you are lucky you may see the secretive red squirrels in the treetops. In the summer the woods are noted for the speckled wood butterfly you can see in sunny glades. At low tide Frenchman’s Rock is revealed in the bay. These rocks are believed to have been named when French smugglers raided Senwick Church and stole the silverware. As the smugglers sailed away a storm began to brew and their ship was dashed to pieces on the rocks. They all perished and the silver was lost forever. At the end of the path you arrive at the secluded Old Senwick Church. It was abandoned in 1618 when the parish was united with Borgue, and although little is left of the old church, the graveyard continued to be used. In 1830 John McTaggart, author, poet and engineer, was buried in a family plot marked by a table stone. He was the author of the delightfully eccentric Scottish Gallovidian Encyclopedia which is a valuable source for local tales, terms and sayings. A reminder of the maritime location of the graveyard is the headstone of Robert Watson, lighthouse keeper on Little Ross, who drowned while returning in a small boat with provisions from Kirkcudbright. There are paths which continue round the coast to Meikle Ross and Brighouse Bay but the graveyard is a convenient stopping point where you can retrace your steps back to the car park at the Doon. Old Senwick graveyard 11 START: Car park Harbour Square, Kirkcudbright OS GRID REF: NX 683510 WHAT3WORDS: palettes.proceeds.care SIGN POSTED AS: Torrs Point core path number 157 RATING: Family Adventurers Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2019 12 Torrs Point Torrs Point Walk 9 miles Grade: Easy This is a linear walk along pavements on the east side of Kirkcudbright Bay with a loop out to Torrs Point along tracks and footpath and a cliff top, returning through farmland and a minor road. An alternative shorter walk of 5 miles starts at a layby on the minor road south of Mutehill where there is limited parking available at NX682476. Please do not park on the track branching off the road. It is a private road and access is required at all time for emergency vehicles to reach the Lifeboat Station. Start at the Harbour Square car park and walk up St Cuthbert Street to the cross road with St Mary’s Street, turn right onto the A711 and follow the road out of town towards Dundrennan. Hugging the east side of Kirkcudbright Bay, the body of water first seen is known as Manxman’s Lake, a bay separated from the course of the River Dee by the promontory called St Mary’s Isle. The large tidal range reveals mud and sand at low tide and the intertidal flats of Manxman’s Lake were firm enough for ships to be beached and loaded or unloaded before they re-floated when the tide came in. 13 Northern brown argus At low tide the shimmering mud looks green because it is covered by a underwater meadow of seagrass. Seagrass, also known as eelgrass, is a unique plant that flowers underwater and is a rare habitat, as well as an important food source for ducks, geese and swans. When the A711 turns inland, continue along the minor road along the shore past the layby where there is limited parking for those who prefer a shorter walk. Take a right turn onto a track that continues past a group of houses and through the kissing gate into woodland, which in the summer is a favourite haunt of the speckled wood butterfly. Continue along the track until you reach the life boat station and slipway which was constructed in 1892 to replace the first lifeboat station located in Kirkcudbright. Despite the longer journey for the crew to reach the lifeboat, the new location greatly reduced the time taken to get the boat out onto the open sea. From the lifeboat station a crushed stone path continues through the deciduous woodland passing Bathing House Bay, known locally as Lady’s Bay, where a sandy beach is revealed at low tide. As you continue along the path you will see Kirkcudbright Bay open out and catch glimpses of Little Ross island and the lighthouse. Lifeboat station 14 Gaugers Loup The path narrows as it rises out of the woodland and you go through a kissing gate onto open fields. Turn right and follow the edge of the field to go through another kissing gate. Take care as you access the narrow path along the edge of the cliff. In the summer, the cliff tops are covered with flowers, especially the harebell, and on a still day you may see a rare northern brown argus butterfly with distinctive little white spots on chocolate coloured wings. At Torrs Point you will have a wonderful view of the mouth of Kirkcudbright Bay, Little Ross island and the hill of Miekle Ross behind. Follow the cliff top with care, the dramatic drop is called Gaugers Loup and is the supposed location that the customs man was pushed to his death in the novel, Guy Mannering by Sir Walter Scott. When you reach the white army lookout post at the entrance to the MOD Dundrennan Range, do not go through the gate but turn left and follow an indistinct path inland until you reach a farm track where you turn left and continue through the gate. Follow the track through farmland, past a small loch, and on to a gate at a minor road. Turn left and walk past Torrs Farm and down the hill to the coast. Follow the road back to your starting point. Harebells 15 DESIGNED BY FINDLAY DESIGN Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2019 This guide has been produced as part of the Solway Firth Partnership Kirkcudbright Bay Views Project supported by The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership. The Galloway Glens is a suite of projects being undertaken up and down the Ken/Dee Valley, between 2018 and 2023, connecting people to their heritage, driving economic activity and supporting sustainable communities. The Galloway Glens is primarily funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and is supported by a range of partners including Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Kirkcudbright Bay Paths – A Walking Guide Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_125 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2020 access GGLP https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/9/584/CYDI-logo.jpg a808f6cc3737368e29b9df0556623ee1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Can You Dig It logo Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Can You Dig It? Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Description An account of the resource The ‘Can You Dig It’ Community Archaeology Programme was a four year Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership project, providing engaging and educational archaeology activities, which ranged from community digs and community driven research projects, to dual-language archaeology inspired poetry. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Can You Dig It logo Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_124 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2019 GGLP https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/9/583/GGLP-CYDI-2021-prog-A4-hi-res.pdf 6237686df10d3e1e749a66600cb02aa3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Can You Dig It – 2021 programme Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Can You Dig It? Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Description An account of the resource The ‘Can You Dig It’ Community Archaeology Programme was a four year Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership project, providing engaging and educational archaeology activities, which ranged from community digs and community driven research projects, to dual-language archaeology inspired poetry. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document DIG IT CAN YOU DIG IT Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @GGLPArchaeology or see the Events or Can You Dig It pages on www.gallowayglens.org for more details. All events are FREE, thanks to our HES and NHLF funding. All events must be booked in advance through the Galloway Glens events page or www.eventbrite.com. Group numbers will be limited to ensure compliance with current COVID guidelines. Walking tour of the Woodhead Lead Mines Test Pitting event at Threave: The Return Walking Tour of Castle Douglas Guided tour and fieldwalking taster at Clatteringshaws 22nd July, 2pm Anna Campbell will be joining us for a reasonably strenuous walk out to this deserted mining settlement. It will be fascinating! Where: Meet near Carsphairn 28th July, 10am Join Claire and Louise as they take you back in time through the varied urban history of Castle Douglas. Where: Meet in Castle Douglas Bus Tour of the Lost Wells of Galloway 3rd August, 10am This will be a whistle-stop tour of some of the amazing wells uncovered by our volunteer researchers. Some off-road walking involved. Where: Meet in New Galloway 3rd and 4th September, 10am – 3pm Back to Threave for more test pitting for lithics to find out about the pre-history of the estate. Where: NTS Threave Estate 29th September, 10am Join Tom and the Rathmell team to find out more about the varied history of the area and to learn the skills of fieldwalking on the foreshore. Where: Clatteringshaws Galloway Hoard exhibition opens in Kirkcudbright Galleries 10th October It’s here for 6 months, so don’t panic, but don’t miss your chance to see this amazing Hoard for yourself - found right here in the Galloway Glens! Test Pitting event at Threave 6th and 7th August, 10am – 3pm We’re working with the NTS Archaeologists to see what we can find on Meikle Wood Hill on the ancient Threave Estate. Come and learn new skills! Where: NTS Threave Estate All bookings through www.gallowayglens.org/Events or Eventbrite - search for Galloway Glens. Spaces are limited so do book early. Full joining instructions will be issued after booking. All events are free to attend. Coming in SeptemberA real-life Viking Encampment! Watch this space for more details!  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Can You Dig It – 2021 programme Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_123 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2021 Description An account of the resource Can You Dig It review archaeology GGLP https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/9/582/GGLP-CYDI_JulAug20-Digital-Programme.pdf 6589206bc7d49eb63b4828c4c67cf115 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Can You Dig It – 2020 Digital Programme Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Can You Dig It? Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Description An account of the resource The ‘Can You Dig It’ Community Archaeology Programme was a four year Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership project, providing engaging and educational archaeology activities, which ranged from community digs and community driven research projects, to dual-language archaeology inspired poetry. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document July august 2020 july 1st 2pm galloway glens viking tales july 7th 7.30pm webinar - Fertilizer, Dung and Defecation! Join an actual Viking* for tales of how they used to live in the Galloway Glens area. Gather the family for this one! *Not an actual Viking. Join Archie McConnel from the Dumfries Archival Mapping Project and Professor Robert Marrs as they explore the relationship between land and fertilizers in days gone by. in conversation: july 15th 7.30pm David Devereux discusses his work on the extensive Tongland Abbey excavations and the history of this fascinating site. july 29th 2pm WEbinar - folklore of the galloway glens Aug 12th 7.30pm webinar - the wrecks of kirkcudbright bay Dr Peter Hewitt from Stewartry Museum discusses the intersection of material culture with our folklore tradition. Join our friends from the SCAPE Trust for a talk about the maritime history of Kirkcudbright Bay and the Fauna & Monreith wrecks. All online events are free, but require booking through Eventbrite. Go to www.eventbrite.co.uk and search for ‘Galloway Glens’. Or see the Can You Dig It section of our website, www.gallowayglens.org, or the Events page on our Facebook Page @GGLPArchaeology. All events are broadcast over Zoom - access this for free through www.zoom.us For more details about how to take part in individual projects, contact Helen on helen.keron@dumgal.gov.uk or 07827 306866 @GGLPArchaeology  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Can You Dig It – 2020 Digital Programme Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_122 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2020 Description An account of the resource Can You Dig It review archaeology GGLP https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/9/581/GGLP-CYDI-Year-1-Summary-Lecture.pdf bb6dcab250e7259f7138522806ac55f0 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Can You Dig It – Year 1 Summary Lecture Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Can You Dig It? Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Description An account of the resource The ‘Can You Dig It’ Community Archaeology Programme was a four year Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership project, providing engaging and educational archaeology activities, which ranged from community digs and community driven research projects, to dual-language archaeology inspired poetry. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document [1] Welcome, my name is Thomas Rees and this evening I’m going, hopefully, to give you a summary of the first 12 months of the Can You Dig It project in the Galloway Glens. 1 [2] The discoveries and works I’m going to dash through this evening are all part of the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership – Landscape Partnerships are a National Lottery Heritage Fund initiative, with the partnerships seeking to deliver public benefit focused on Access, Natural Heritage and Cultural Heritage. 2 [3] Each partnership is defined as a geographic area – in our case the amazing Ken and Dee rivers from source to sea. Galloway Glens is supporting at least 35 projects over 4 years within this landscape covering a series of key themes. 3 [4] Can You Dig It is one of these 35 projects - our community archaeology project – and I’m going to discuss the work that has been undertake by local volunteers over the past year and the discoveries they have helped to make about our past. To deliver this programme Galloway Glens secured match funding from Historic Environment Scotland. We have also received great assistance from landowners like the Forestry & Land Scotland, National Trust for Scotland and the Forrest Estate. Dumfries and Galloway Council have also helped throughout. 4 [5] At the start of this 12 month dash we promoted the opportunities from Can You Dig It through a series of lectures – explaining that we structured activities around a series of sub projects that were seeking to investigate specific aspects of the historic occupation of our landscape. 5 [6] Each of these subprojects was underpinned by a Research Design developed from community consultation during the development phase of Galloway Glens. We do not just launch ourselves at sites, we approach them with a structured series of questions and undertake works that – we hope – will start to answer them. 6 [7] One of our earliest field projects was test pitting within the outer bailey of Castledykes in Kirkcudbright. The first documentary mention of the castle at Kirkcudbright was in 1288, when John Comyn, sheriff of Wigtown, was noted as being the guardian of ‘the castle and lands which belonged to the King’. The castle came to prominence during the first phase of the Wars of Independence, Edward I evidently intended Kirkcudbright as a supply port when his fleet lay off the Dee estuary in 1300 with the castle held by the English. 7 [8] From this aerial image you can see the core of the castle – this is a protected Scheduled Monument. The defences of the outer bailey had disappeared but previous investigators presumed they would have been built on a stockade principle and, if so, that no trace of them would remain. This is the area we sought to investigate over two days of test pitting. Previous work nearby had failed to find any significant material – so we were hoping to discover whether there was archaeological information surviving outwith the central earthworks. 8 [9] It is important to appreciate that these test pits are very limited in size – and hence so is the volume of sediment tested. They are very much a taster of what may be present in the Outer Bailey and there is the potential that very localised activities can be missed by such an array. Our volunteers excavated the test pits using hand tools and then sieved the contents to recover artefacts. 9 [10] The dominant material recovered were later 19th and early 20th century ceramics including brown-glazed red earthenwares, glazed white earthenwares (mostly plain, but with some blue-and-white transfer-printed sherds present), stonewares and slipwares. Some of these modern fabrics derived from wheel-thrown brown-glazed coarseware jars whose manufacture spans much of the 18th and early to mid-19th centuries – so we have clear evidence of the discard or dumping of relatively recent domestic material, which may reflect disposal of night soil from the burgh on neighbouring agricultural fields. 10 [11] From our ten small test pits we also recovered 20 sherds of medieval ceramic. All of the sherds were of small size and often heavily abraded, which meant that form and decoration were absent, making a comparison with other assemblages difficult. However, on the basis of fabric alone, it was clear that the material recovered was consistent with those from the earlier excavations within the main castle. Roughly half of the medieval assemblage comprised a soft, pinkish-red fabric, sandy in texture with quartz and mica inclusions. This pottery has been interpreted as a local ware. Pottery from this same ware has been recovered from other medieval sites in Dumfries and Galloway, including Caerlaverock Old Castle in the east and Whithorn in the west. Outwith Scotland, this same ‘local’ ware has been found in Carlisle. This local ware is thought to have first been used in the early to mid-13th century – finding this material in the Outer Bailey suggests that the use of the Castledykes site may stretch back towards the 1220s rather than the 1280s attested by documentary sources. We have also shown that there is medieval material surviving within the outer bailey that may be able to enrich our understanding of the use of this area. 11 [12] Kirkcudbright has more than one castle - tradition holds that Fergus, Lord of Galloway, had a timber castle on Moat Brae in the 12th century – before the use of the Castledykes site - certainly the Lords of Galloway sustained a powerful naval presence in the Irish Sea and the Dee offers the best natural harbor on the Solway coast, supporting this narrative for an early castle. The burgh itself is only first attested to in 1330 but there is a presumption that even if the burgh dated from around this time, there may well have been pre-burgh settlement. 12 [13] Over three days we sought to test the Moat Brae mound around Greyfriars to consider whether we could find any hint of 12th century activity that could be associated with the Lords of Galloway, or the growth of the burgh from the 14 th century onwards including the 15th century friary. The intensification of use of the surrounding area in the 18th and 19th centuries was also expected to be evident, especially the ship building yard that overlay the eastern half. So we set out two trenches, Trench 1 to test the ground that appears to lie open since the 16th century and Trench 2 to examine the area that became a ship building yard. 13 [14] While we didn’t identify any structures, we did recover nearly 400 sherds of modern pottery or ceramic from the trenches, many of the sherds were extremely small. More than half comprised sherds of plain, glazed white earthenware with no decoration evident. Occurring in much more modest quantities were sherds derived from transferprinted table wares and tin-glazed plain white earthenwares. Small quantities of sherds from brown-glazed white earthenware and brown-glazed red earthenware vessels (mostly teapots) were also present. The dominant wares and colourways present are typical of the period spanning c.1820 to 1860, and while this does not necessarily imply that they were deposited or even manufactured during this narrow time frame, it is interesting to note that pottery types typical of the first few decades and the last few decades of the 19th century were much more poorly represented. 14 [15] Within the assemblage were a 17 fragments from clay tobacco pipes, comprising ten stem fragments and seven bowl fragments. All appeared to derive from the shortstemmed ‘cutty’ types that were popular throughout much of the 19 th and early 20th centuries. One of the bowl fragments derived from a pipe with a decorative bowl which resembled a stave-built barrel, while six of the ten stem fragments retained evidence of stamps or maker’s marks. Two were adjoining: these comprised adjacent fragments of stem from trench 1, with the maker’s stamp ‘W White’ on one side, and the place of manufacture ‘Glasgow’ on the other. A further bowl fragment bears the fragmentary legend ‘BE(I)’ and ‘CUT’ stamped within an oval or circular cartouche featuring a central design of superimposed lozenges. It is not possible to establish the identity of this pipe with confidence, but it could possibly represent a ‘Belgium’ type cutty, a form which is named (but not illustrated) in a Christie’s catalogue dated to c. 1900s. 15 [16] Two buttons were recovered, one of which was a small circular button, stamped with the legend ‘R McConchie Kirkcudbright’ around its circumference. The centre was depressed, with four perforations for attachment to the host garment. The name, ‘R. McConchie,’ is cited in 1878 as one of the tailors gathered as part of the Incorporated Trades at the firing of the ‘Siller Gun,’ and it is possible that the button formed part of a garment manufactured by McConchie at around this time. 16 [17] By far the most intriguing part of the collection were nine slate pencils, recovered from both trenches and occurring mainly in topsoil and made ground. The pencils may well derive from the use of the former church as a school during the 18 th century. 17 [18] A small group of 11 medieval sherds and one sherd of post-medieval reduced ware present (originating in the period spanning the 15th-early 17th centuries). Of the medieval sherds, six were sherds of gritty wares, similar either to red or white gritty fabrics that spanned the mid- to late 12th to early 14th centuries. The balance of the medieval ceramics comprised sherds of‘ local green-glazed wares which span a date range from the mid-13th century to the late 14th century. The preponderance of unglazed sherds, probably derived from cooking pots, might suggest an origin earlier in the sequence, as cooking pots tend to fall out of use during the 14th century as metal vessels become more widely available. We have not found a castle – the Moat Brae is clearly now a more distinct landscape feature than it was in the past – but from within the lowest deposits in Trench 1 we have recovered pottery from the range of mid -12th to 13th century … suggesting activity at this location earlier than the documented 1330 presence of the burgh. 18 [19] Our largest excavation was on the Threave estate at Little Wood Hill where we stripped a portion of the summit of the hill to undertake an open area excavation with the help and assistance of the National Trust for Scotland. 19 [20] Little Wood Hill is the site of a most enigmatic feature, as sub-circular D shaped enclosure on the western half of the summit of the hill. This ditch is visible as a cropmark, a darker line formed by the differential ripening of the overlying crop. This site was tested by small trenches in 2014 by NTS when they identified the line of the ditch and, with a radiocarbon date from charcoal recovered from the ditch, dating its use to within the last century BC and the 1st century AD. 20 [21] The hilltop is an amazing location with views across the Dee, Threave Castle and up river towards Glenlochar. This is a very notable location that stands out in the landscape. 21 [22] To save the backs of our volunteer archaeologists, given that this has been an arable field, we machined off the ploughsoil to open up a large area covering roughly a quarter of the enclosure. 22 [23] Within this open area we identified the line of the ditch and started to excavate slots across the ditch to understand its form, and the terminals of the ditch at the entrance into the site. The terminals, being next to the access into the enclosure, are the most likely to contain artefacts discarded or lost during the use of the enclosure. 23 [24] And to maximize our chances of finding artefacts, we undertook a lot of sieving of the ditch fills – not always in the best weather! 24 [25] This low level aerial image may help you better recognise the entranceway and the run of the bounding ditches. Though we found a couple of small pits within the interior, we did not find evidence for clear structures. Indeed the pits lie tight to, or slightly under, where the upcast sediment from the ditch would have formed the interior banks. 25 [26] Given that we know the enclosure was active in the 1st century BC or AD from the work of the NTS, it was a surprise to us that nearly all the artefacts recovered were a modest assemblage of stuck flint. These small blades and flakes are more typical of the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age, thousands of years prior to the date we have for the enclosure. This suggests that Little Wood Hill had long been a desirable location next to the Dee - with this artefacts surviving in the topsoil as residual material. 26 [27] We also recovered evidence of later use, with metal detecting enabling us to safely recover an un-fired musketball from one of the ditch fills. Typically these are dated from the 16th to 18th century … which has not helped with understanding what the enclosure was created for, but does hint that the enclosure may have been a focus for later activity while their form could still have been found as earthworks on the hilltop – perhaps even during 1640 when the covenanters besieged the royalist garrison of Threave Castle who surrendered on the orders of Charles I. 27 [28] But for all this work showing much earlier and later use of the hill we have struggled to explain our Iron Age bank and ditch enclosure. We remain asking the question, why did the Iron Age communities form this defendable site on the summit of Little Wood Hill? 28 [29] Our activities over the year have not been limited to excavations, small or large. We have also been running a series of workshops to develop the archaeological skills of our volunteers – in this case we undertook practical surveying skills at Kelton Kirk in Mid Kelton. 29 [30] Workshops have also been run on finds recognition and interpretation. 30 [31] As all the fieldwork is undertaken by volunteers of all ages and abilities supported by professional archaeologists - our workshops provide skills so participants generate more of the information gathered by the project 31 [32] Workshops have also covered web-based archive research to discover more about our historic landscapes 32 [33] There are amazing resources readily available online such as this town plan of Kirkcudbright from the 1840s showing Moat Brae – split in half between open ground behind Greyfriars and the ship building yard 33 [34] Or first edition Ordnance Survey mapping from the 1850s … in this case giving us the layout of the farmstead at Upper Gairloch, a farming settlement on the Raiders Road. You can see the still active farm from the mid 19th century as well as many ruins and abandoned field systems surrounding it. 34 [35] Upper Gairloch was another one of our survey and excavation targets, looking at the later rural settlement of the Galloway Glens. The farmstead shown as in use in the 1850s was found ruinous and overgrown. 35 [36] The volunteer archaeologists cleared many of the central areas revealing the fallen walls that formed the farmstead – often built incorporating the most massive stones within the fabric of the farm. 36 [37] Not only did the walls remain, but targeted excavation revealed a series of flagstone, rubble and cobble surfaces and floors survived across the farmstead. 37 [38] Overall a plan began to emerge that showed two distinct floored rectangular structures set within a walled rectangular courtyard that was also surfaced. A very appealing small improvement courtyard farm from the early to mid 19th century. 38 [39] A broad range of finds were recovered from the excavations, these included transfer-printed pottery in blue, black and purple colourways - these appear to be mostly wares produced from the 1840s to 1860s and represent domestic tableware. 39 [40] Another portion of the assemblage was a collection of sherds from 'slipware‘ vessels - these are more likely to come from kitchen items as opposed to those used at the table. The top left and bottom right sherds appear to be from dairy bowls, while the bottom left is from a jar, also known as a 'crock'. Crocks appear from the late 18th century, while dairy bowls appear from the 1820s; both continue in use until the early 20th century. 40 [41] As well as pottery we also recovered a range of metalwork – both structural and artefacts. Two quite distinctive pieces were this large iron rasp or file, and the socketed iron head of a fork. The size of the fork is quite small and flat so appears unlikely to have been used for any agricultural purpose. It is possible that it was for raking out a fire, or that these were the tools of a blacksmith or farrier? 41 [42] A range of glass fragments were also recovered from site. Most of these were 19th century in origin, like the fragment on the left which is from an aerated drinks bottle from later in the 19th century. In contrast, the fragment on the right is a large base fragment from an 'onion' type bottle, a squat form in use from the late 1600s until the early 1800s. These were eventually replaced by the cylindrical upright bottles which could be stacked in larger numbers for transport and storage. This is one of our few earlier finds, joining two sherds from a pearlware teacup that date from the late 18th. As finds that are reasonably earlier than the farm buildings at Upper Gairloch they may be treasured family items brought here by the tenants – or are they the hints of an earlier iteration of this farm? 42 [43] We know that many of the settlements on Raiders Road have origins from well before the 19th century, this is Bleau’s map of the area from 1654 which shows O. (over) Gairlarr – our Upper Gairloch. So we do have an earlier farm somewhere nearby. 43 [44] One of the structures shown as a ruin on the 1850s Ordnance Survey was also investigated – this proved to be a kiln barn. A single structure that combined a kiln for drying cereal grain – the circular structure in the foreground of this image – and a rectangular barn. 44 [45] One of the ways we have helped volunteers understand the structures they are working on is by producing 3D models from conventional site photographs. Here is the same kiln barn where you can more readily see the two core elements of the site. We also ran workshops on 3D Modelling to help develop these recording and communication tools 45 [46] These workshops included a session recording by 3D model the Kirkyard gateway at St Cuthberts in Kirkcudbright, purportedly built from the stones taken from the dismantled town gate – the Meikle Yett – combined with the 1644 Ewart wall monument. 46 [47] This workshop also looked at using a 3D model to create true vertical images of table graves without the need to physically get above the grave – such as this slab for William Hunter and Robert Smith. These covenanters were captured by John Graham of Claverhouse at Auchencloy in 1684 and were taken to Kirkcudbright Tolbooth, where they were held prior to their trial and execution. 47 [48] In combination fieldwork and workshops develop archaeological skills while engaging participants with the heritage of their landscape – which raises the issue of accessibility, how do we enable people to volunteer 48 [49] There are some easy steps we have followed, choosing locations that are readily accessible with every possible activity, even one day surveys, having toilet access 49 [50] Providing shelter, seating, tea, coffee & biscuits 50 [51] Making practical adaptations on site so that volunteers are able to focus on the archaeology 51 [52] And that extends to working patterns that promote access not conformity with an arbitrary schedule 52 [53] With the assistance of the Galloway Glens team, postcards are printed and circulated locally to promote opportunities 53 [54] These communicate procedural and practical issues through Accessibility information and promote a stable contact into the Galloway Glens team 54 [55] The reality is that much of the practical aspects of archaeology are outdoors and suffer from the vagaries of the weather – we cannot control this! 55 [56] And however hard we try, we are shown the fragility of the structures we are using to cope with the great outdoors. 56 [57] Even with this positive approach to accessibility we need to reach those who cannot physically be involved through online information and video packages. 57 [58] We’ve also looked at promoting Can You Dig It through tie-ins with Scottish Archaeology Month and the Dig It project. 58 [59] We’ve trialed a vlog tour on Facebook, in this first attempt we traveled through the Galloway Glens looking at multiple Royal Observer Corps posts to look at the role of this important service in tracking and monitoring military aircraft and then, as the Cold War changed, nuclear blasts. This is one of the nuclear monitoring bunkers from the 1960s, set just behind Dalry. 59 [60] The locations of the bunkers are known – you can see the string running from Carsphairn down to Kirkcudbright on this military plan – but their current condition is very varied. 60 [61] For instance the Castle Douglas bunker has been grubbed out, though a visible earthwork remains in the field where this once lay. 61 [62] We also have some survival for the post-war 1950s orlit posts in Galloway Glens – these prefabricated structures were installed when the role of the ROC was still that of aircraft monitoring, before their descent into the bunkers. The promotion of these intriguing sites was well received and we were delighted that it prompted Border Life to film a similar package for broadcast in the near future. 62 [63] All the work of Can You Dig It is supported by a branded Facebook site and Twitter feed – this is a locally controlled asset where you can find out what we are doing, what we’ve found and how you can get involved. 63 [64] we also use these sites to promote historic excavations in the area through Facebook Notes, in the case of these images they came from the 1911-13 excavations at Castledykes. 64 [65] As a part of the larger Galloway Glens landscape project we have also flexed our activity to connect and support with other projects – for instance we undertook an extended survey workshop at Polmaddy to link in with a walking tour on the new Glenkens path and a poetry project. 65 [66] This enabled us to look at deserted settlement at Polmaddy which was first recorded in 1505, surviving through to the early 19th century. Our particular focus was the Inn which lay beside the pack road passing through Polmaddy. 66 [67] And from the survey work we generated the first plan of the Inn, believed to have been the last inhabited structure in the village, since it was originally surveyed in 1971. 67 [68] We also made use of the paths created by access improvements to hike up the Corserine. 68 [69] In this case to survey a series of high ground wrecks – aircraft crash sites from WWII. This is the site where a Mosquito crashed in 1944 to the east of the summit at the Scar of the Folk 69 [70] Another one of the sites we recorded was the crash site of the Avro Anson from 1942 to the north of the summit. All these crashes involved the loss of lives by the aircrew involved, often during night time navigational training. 70 [71] These surveys were in part about communicating the idea that the whole landscape has been occupied and used by human communities and that the traces of our shared heritage can readily be found even on the summit of our highest hills. 71 [72] We have also supported the delivery of a Historic Woodland Assessment as a subproject at Barhill Wood by Kirkcudbright. Here surveyors looked at how a historic woodland is created, shaped and used. 72 [73] Identifying some of the structures from the original late 18 th century planting of poorer ground by the Earls of Selkirk including an array of early stone dykes, quarries and roadways. 73 [74] And identifying elements of the original 1780-s planting such as this sweet chesnut stool in Janet’s plantation – with the report and tours provided by the specialist surveyors from Dendrochronicle enabling the community to better understand the resource they were gaining control of. 74 [75] In many ways Can You Dig It is also about linking people with assets already there – like HES providing tours of Threave while we dug on the NTS estate 75 [76] Visiting the Stewartry Museum during our fieldwork at Castledykes to see a display of historic finds from our site that are being curated by the museum. 76 [77] And becoming an asset for other community initiatives like running a subproject as a station on the Kirkcudbright Arts & Crafts Trail 77 [78] Or providing staff so the local Scotlands Rock Art Project team had the first aid cover needed to lead a public tour 78 [79] As you can see from this summary we have been very active over the past 12 months and have made a series of discoveries that enrich tour understanding of the historic Galloway Glens – I hope you will agree that we are acting as a positive force enabling the community to explore their archaeological heritage both through discovering new information and from rediscovering what we already have. 79 [80] Can You Dig It will not stop here – our hope and intent over the coming years of the Galloway Glens landscape partnership is to push further to build skills in our communities, supporting more targeted project work on archaeological sites and seeking to promote our archaeological heritage. 80 [81] If you are interested in continuing or becoming involved this year – please get in touch. Take this opportunity – give us feedback on sites or issues you want to see addressed, email us to hear about volunteering opportunities and stay in touch! 81  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Can You Dig It – Year 1 Summary Lecture Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_121 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2019 Description An account of the resource Can You Dig It review archaeology GGLP https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/9/580/GGLP-CYDI-EoY-Report-2019.pdf 7525a3c7a743852a1b3c9b499cdb75cc Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Can You Dig It – End Of Year Report 2019 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Can You Dig It? Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Description An account of the resource The ‘Can You Dig It’ Community Archaeology Programme was a four year Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership project, providing engaging and educational archaeology activities, which ranged from community digs and community driven research projects, to dual-language archaeology inspired poetry. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document OFFICIAL Galloway Glens ‘Can You Dig It’ Community Archaeology Project 2019 End of Year Report. 1. Background The Can You Dig It community archaeology project started in earnest on the 4 th February 2019, when the contract for delivery was let to Rathmell Archaeology Ltd by the Galloway Glens scheme. Our previous End of Year Report, dated the 26th March 2019, details the work that was carried out in February and March 2019, and this report completes the reporting, covering the period from April 2019 to March 2020. 2. Executive Summary Can You Dig it is a 2-year Historic Environment Scotland and National Lottery Heritage Funded Community Archaeology project managed by the ‘Galloway Glens’ Landscape Partnership Scheme and delivered by Rathmell Archaeology Ltd. This funding period ended in March 2020. The archaeology of the Galloway Glens area in rural SW Scotland is varied and fascinating, ranging from the Neolithic to settlements deserted in the 19th Century, and the project aimed to introduce as much of the resident community to their local built heritage as possible. The project had a twin focus on community engagement and communication, and inclusion and accessibility. It pioneered a new inclusion technique in the form of ‘Accessibility Postcards’ for events. This technique, coupled with a consistently welcoming and engaging presence through email, social media and fieldwork, has resulted in the introduction of many new people to their local heritage. It has also resulted in an engaged and interested ‘community of interest’, which will be taken to the next level of technical expertise in the coming years of Can You Dig It 2 delivery. A Partnership approach was key to the success of this project, with the Galloway Glens bringing its detailed knowledge of local networks and context and Rathmell bringing technical expertise. In addition, the recruitment of a small but technically-skilled Steering Group from the local community kept the strategic delivery of the project on track. Siting a Community Archaeology project within a Landscape Partnership Scheme undoubtedly brings benefits to both that are more than the sum of their parts. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 1 OFFICIAL 3. Introduction to Galloway Glens and Can You Dig It The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme is a 5-year National Lottery Heritage Fund (NHLF) scheme with the primary aim of connecting local people with their natural, cultural and built heritage. It covers an area in SW Scotland that follows the course of the Rivers Dee and Ken from their source in the uplands above the Glenkens, down past Castle Douglas and out to the sea at Kirkcudbright. Both Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright are rural towns of about 3,000 population. The Glenkens contains 4 small remote-rural villages, including Carsphairn and St John’s Town of Dalry. The Galloway Glens scheme began in April 2018 after a 2-year Development phase and will run until April 2023. The NLHF funding is given as matched funding to 35 headline projects that together make up the overall scheme. Each project has a different partner, ranging from national stakeholders such as RSPB or NTS to mid-sized local charities to small grass-roots voluntary organisations. In most cases, our partners are delivering the projects, but some projects, such as this one, are managed in-house by the Galloway Glens staff. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 2 OFFICIAL A Community Archaeology project was one of the flagship projects identified in the Development stage, and we were delighted to be offered £50,000 of funding by HES in 2018 towards the first stages of the project. Named ‘Can You Dig It’, the project’s core aims were to: • • • • Increase enthusiasm and general knowledge amongst local residents for their built heritage Upskill enthusiasts further with a wide range of modern archaeological techniques Offer work experience / Skills passport opportunities to people looking to enter the field. Engage with a wide range of people and minimise barriers to participation. In addition, it was identified that the project should • • • Cover as wide a range of eras as practical Cover the Galloway Glens geographic area in an equitable manner. Build on previous community engagement with more work to ensure that the project meets the needs and expectations of the local community. 4. Governance To ensure that these aims were met, a Steering Group for the project was created. The members of this group are currently: • • • • • Andrew Nicholson, Dumfries and Galloway Council (DGC) Archaeologist David Devereux, local historian and archaeologist Dr Kevin Grant, HES Dr Deirdre Cameron, HES Helen Keron, Galloway Glens Education and Community Engagement Officer With thanks as well to Dr Lisa Brown, Kevin’s predecessor on the Steering Group. The Steering Group meets, together with representatives from Rathmell Archaeology, every 2 months, with interim updates and advice being discussed via email. In addition, the Galloway Glens has its own Board structure for governance. Board members are mostly representatives from national or regional stakeholders. HES is represented by Dr John Raven. The Galloway Glens Board meets quarterly and provides strategic direction and assurance for all Galloway Glens projects. The Galloway Glens scheme also sits within the formal structure of Dumfries and Galloway Council. Although externally funded and governed as above, DGC is our legally accountable body and we use their insurance, financial management and procurement systems as required for project delivery. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 3 OFFICIAL 5. Timeline Dates Activity Notes 2015-2017 Galloway Glens 2-year Development phase. April 2018 Galloway Glens Delivery phase begins. Some staff in place. Resulting in a detailed bid to Heritage Lottery for £2.7M of matched funding. HES confirms offer of £50,000 funding for Can You Dig It over 2018/19 and 2019/20. November 2018 Galloway Glens Education and Community Engagement Officer in post. Steering Group for Can You Dig It appointed. Terms of reference for the project created. DGC Procurement system used to put £100,000 Community Archaeology contract out to tender. December 2018 4th Feb 2019 Feb-Mar 2019 April-June 2019 July-Sept 19 Oct-Dec 2019 Jan-Mar 2020 26/03/2020 Rathmell Archaeology confirmed as successful bidder for the contract. Rathmell Archaeology immediately begins on delivering the 2018/19 outcomes. 2019/20 outcome delivery commenced: Research Designs completed; 1 x Exploration held; 2 x surveys carried out, 2 workshops held. 4 x Excavations / Explorations completed, 1 x survey completed; 3 x workshops held 3 x workshops held; 2 partner events supported, 5 Community Engagement events held including a VLOG, lectures and schools work. Technical reporting and Planning for CYDI 2 (2020 – 2022). 5 Community Engagement events held including a VLOG, and lectures. Community consultation on CYDI 2 targets. CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL Contract published on PCS. 9 parties registered an interest, 2 submissions received. More details below (Section 6). More details below. More details below. More details below. 4 OFFICIAL 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 5 OFFICIAL 6. 2019/20 Delivery 6.1. Complete 2 Excavations and post-excavation analysis to agreed standards. Date Event Attendance Post-Ex (personanalysis status days) 28-30 Upper Gairloch (Raiders 21 March 2019 Road) deserted settlement exploration 19-20 July Castledykes test18 2019 pitting, Kirkcudbright 1-3 August Moat Brae trenches, 28 2019 Kirkcudbright 14-17 & 2124 Aug 2019 10-14 & 1721 Sept 2019 Upper Gairloch deserted settlement exploration Little Wood Hill enclosure large exposure, Threave Estate Notes 3-D model created of exposed kiln barn. Area around the scheduled monument. Being part of the Kirkcudbright Arts and Crafts Trail led to additional public interest. Repeat visit to uncover the farmstead associated with the kiln barn. Building on previous work by NTS archaeology. 29 66 These activities have been delivered with the help, support and resources of Forestry & Land Scotland, Dumfries & Galloway Council and the National Trust for Scotland, with the corporate archaeologists from all these organisations assisting in design and delivery – our thanks to them. March 2019: Upper Gairloch Kiln Barn – Day 1 26/03/2020 Beginning to take shape CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 6 OFFICIAL August 2019: Families at Moat Brae, Kirkcudbright August 2019: Intergenerational working at Upper Gairloch. 26/03/2020 It does rain occasionally in Galloway. CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 7 OFFICIAL Sept 2019: Little Wood hill, Threave Estate Welfare facilities were important. DSRs have been produced for all of the fieldwork above, and are published on social media and www.gallowayglens.org/resources, and are added to the HER through the Regional Archaeologist. The main focus of Can You Dig It was always community engagement and involvement, but some interesting finds have been made during the 2019 fieldwork programme: • • The work on the deserted settlement of Upper Gairloch on the Raiders Road uncovered a kiln barn, and then the associated farmhouse was shown to have an unusually well-finished courtyard and yard surfaces of local granite, and the intriguing incorporation of large granite glacial erratics into key wall junctions. The Castledykes trial-pit excavations showed a range of medieval and post-medieval finds, indicating activity beyond the core scheduled area of the castle. A piece of Northern French white ware, similar to Saintonge Ware, suggests the sort of trade links we should expect from a port town. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 8 OFFICIAL • • Excavations at Moat Brae in the middle of Kirkcudbright confirmed that elements of the mound were man-made, with a basal layer of clay-bonded river cobbles lying above the natural estuarine silty clay. Medieval pottery finds could date as early as the 12th century, which would place the motte and bailey construction into the timeframe for the early Lordship of Galloway under the House of Fergus. The work on Little Wood Hill on the Threave Estate uncovered some flints and a musket ball, showing continuity of settlement from the Neolithic to the late 18th century and extending the work undertaken by the NTS in 2014. Upper Gairloch 2-level cobbled floor (lower level only just seen) Sherds of medieval pottery from the 12th-15th centuries AD, Castledykes Neolithic flint found at Little Wood Hill, Threave Estate 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 9 OFFICIAL 6.2. Complete the planned programme of non-invasive surveys. This work was extended to include Technical Workshops (Outdoor surveying, 3-D modelling and Web-based research) and some organically evolved Partnership Working as well as Non-invasive surveys. i. Non-invasive surveys Date Event Attendance Reporting (personstatus days) Notes 14-15 June 2019 Historic Woodland Assessment, Barhill Woods, Kirkcudbright Guided visual survey of the high ground wrecks on Corserine, above Dalry Guided visual survey of the high ground wrecks on Corserine, above Dalry 25 First day technical survey; second day public event 20 June 2019 25 July 2019 8 7 Repeat of first walk June 2019: Historic Woodland Assessment, Barhill Woods • • Sam Kelly’s video of the public event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QEfcEQ4V3Y&feature=youtu.be https://dendrochronicle.co.uk/blog/ for other details. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 10 OFFICIAL June and July 2019: Corserine High-ground wrecks survey These activities have been supported by Rob Asbridge, a volunteer for the Kirkcudbright Development Forum and principal actor behind the Barhill Woods community development, and the Forrest Estate Manager – our thanks to them, as well as to Dr Coralie Mills of Dendrochronicle, who carried out the Historic Woodland Assessment with support from Peter Quelch. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 11 OFFICIAL ii. Technical workshops – outdoor surveying skills. Date 18 June 2019 17-18 July 2019 31 July 2019 Location Mid-Kelton Churchyard, near Castle Douglas Polmaddy deserted settlement, near Carsphairn Skills Focus Plane table and tape offset survey skills. Plane table and tape offset survey skills. Attendance Notes 8 St Cuthbert’s Kirkyard, Kirkcudbright Plane table and tape offset survey skills. 2 June 2019: Mid-Kelton Survey workshop • 7 The Project Officer of another Galloway Glens project, the Ken Words writing project, attended in order to extend her knowledge of and hence creative response to the deserted settlement. Members of the Kirkcudbright History Society attended at the end to give participants a better insight into the Kirkyard’s history. July 2019: St Cuthbert’s Kirkyard, Kirkcudbright Sketchfab model of the John Ewart Monument above: https://sketchfab.com/3dmodels/john-ewarts-1642-monument-e72a57a5042b4d70bfcd06ebb6866754 Our thanks to Jane McBeth, the Ken Words Project Officer, and the Kirkcudbright History Society, in particular Helen Bowick and David Devereux, for their interest in and support of these activities. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 12 OFFICIAL iii. Technical workshops – indoor skills Date 28 June 2019 26 July 2019 22 October 2019 21 November 2019 28 November 2019 Location Kirkcudbright Skills Focus Web-based Research 3-D modelling Glenkens Castle Douglas Attendance Notes 8 Canmore etc 2 Web-based research Kirkcudbright Galleries Finds Handling workshop 4 Kirkcudbright Galleries Finds Handling workshop 5 6 The National Museums of Scotland have supported these activities with guidance, while the Dumfries & Galloway Council Museums Service has made their collections available, in particular delivering displays linking to the activities in Kirkcudbright. Our thanks to them. Finds handling workshop, Kirkcudbright 26/03/2020 Visiting the Stewartry Museum displays, Kirkcudbright CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 13 OFFICIAL iv. Partnership working Date 4-7 Oct 2019 Location Kirkcudbright Bay Skills Focus Marine Archaeology 17 Nov 2019 Kirkcudbright Pre-historic Rock Art Partner Solway Firth Partnership and SCAPE Notes We promoted SFP / SCAPE’s coastal archaeology project focussed on the wreck of the Fauna, and some of our CYDI community attended. Kirkcudbright We partnered with the branch of local ScRAP volunteers to Scotland’s put on a tour of some of Rock Art their findings and project promote their work. 13 attendees. Our thanks to Nic Coombey of the Solway Firth Partnership and Lisa Allen, volunteer coordinator of the Kirkcudbright branch of Scotland’s Rock Art Project, for inviting the Can You Dig It community to see their fascinating projects. November 2019 – ScRAP Rock Art day, Kirkcudbright 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 14 OFFICIAL 6.3. Complete the programme of community engagement events. Date April 2019 Event Publications 10-10-19 VLOG tour of ROC posts 21-10-19 ‘Border Life’ ITV interview about the ROC posts Lecture on CYDI programme Case Study submitted to ‘Re-imagining Scottish Archaeology’ Schools event 13-11-19 07-12-19 11-12-19 5&6-02-20 26-02-20 28-02-20 03-03-20 Summary Presentations of CYDI, introduction of consultation on possible future targets. Drop-In exhibition of the work done to date and consultation on possible future targets. VLOG tour of Covenantor history Attendance at the Galloway Glens ‘Jamboree’ with all other GGLP projects. Ongoing Facebook feed Ongoing Twitter feed Ongoing SketchFab page Ongoing Galloway Glens webpage – CYDI section 26/03/2020 Notes Balmaclellan Community Council, History Now and Galloway News all requested articles re the Upper Gairloch / CYDI plans. Published live on Facebook and Twitter, supported by live posting of research and photos. Broadcast 02-03-20 Requested by Kirkcudbright History Society. 41 attendees. Information about CYDI as a Community Archaeology project was presented at the Scottish Archaeology Strategy ‘Aim 1’ Workshop (Glasgow). An afternoon session in Kells School, New Galloway, teaching P1-P7 about ‘Changing Technologies’ and ‘Changing Settlements’. Held in the Glenkens and Kirkcudbright. 16 and 48 attendees respectively, good interactions. Useful feedback solicited. Published live on Facebook and Twitter, supported by live posting of research and photos. Useful to make / re-affirm links between other Galloway Glens projects, such as the Place Names project, Ken Words writing project (Polmaddy focus), the improvement of the Pilgrims Way to Polmaddy and the 4 new Heritage Hubs. @GGLPArchaeology. See Section 8.1.2 for more details. @GGLPArchaeology. See Section 8.1.2 for more details. sketchfab.com/GGLPArchaeology See Section 8.1.2 for more details. www.gallowayglens.org/Resources has all the DSRs published on it, plus Technical Notes, Lecture slides, Workshop notes and the Historic Woodland Assessment of Barhill Woods. CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 15 OFFICIAL Ongoing Technical Notes Ongoing Training Workshop and Lecture Notes Ongoing Emails Ongoing Galloway Glens webpage – CYDI section 7 Technical Notes have been published on the Galloway Glens website and social media in order to promote previous archaeological endeavour in the Galloway Glens area. Topics are: Polmaddy, Threave Castle, Glenlochar, Carminnow, Castledykes, Moss Raploch and Park of Tongland. 3 Training Workshop Notes have been published on social media covering Web-based Heritage Research, 3D Models from Photographs and Survey Skills. These complement the respective workshops. The slide presentation given in February 2020 as a summary of CYDI has also been amplified and published. We have 146 people on our mailing list, all gained organically through positive sign-ups. We have emailed them 10 times through 2019, all with quality updates of the work achieved to date, plus advertising of upcoming events. Feedback to the emails has been good, with people enjoying reading them. www.gallowayglens.org/Resources has all the DSRs published on it, plus Technical Notes, Lecture slides, Workshop notes and the Historic Woodland Assessment of Barhill Woods. Supporting evidence: October 2019: VLOG Tour of the ROC posts - video supported by real-time research posts. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 16 OFFICIAL • Link to the ‘Border Life’ interview on the ROC posts: https://www.itv.com/news/border/2020-03-02/catch-up-with-border-life-02-03-2020/ December 2019 – Afternoon session with Kells School, New Galloway February 2019 – Summary presentation, Dalry Town Hall, Glenkens. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 17 OFFICIAL February 2020: VLOG Tour of Covenantor Sites. March 2020 – Screenshots of Galloway Glens website with published DSRs and Technical Notes. See also Section 6.8. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 18 OFFICIAL 6.4. Complete improvements to excavation sites as appropriate. The Upper Gairloch deserted settlement (kiln barn and farmhouse) were completely covered in undergrowth and almost unrecognisable. The work done by our volunteers through Can You Dig It has left both structures clear and clean. See Section 6.1 above for before and after photos of the kiln barn. With some interpretation, they would form an engaging addition to the heritage tourism offering of the area. 3-D Model of the exposed kiln barn, created by Liam McKinstry of Rathmell Archaeology. • SketchFab link to 3-D model: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/kiln-barn-raiders-roadbdb1d9077a16457eb6775192c88d8e21 September 2019: Upper Gairloch Farmhouse almost fully covered. Walls and a cobbled floor revealed The other excavations (Castledykes, Moat Brae, Threave Estate) were reinstated to their previous state post-excavation. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 19 OFFICIAL 6.5. Create a temporary exhibition of all findings and display at a local venue. Our drop-in exhibition on the 26th February 2020 featured all of our finds, plus display boards summarising all of the work done to date. This is an excellent resource of local history / archaeology, and we are considering how to use it in the future more widely. We also used this event as a chance to consult with our community about the plans for CYDI 2. February 2020: Full display and example board. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 20 OFFICIAL 6.6. Deliver a phased training programme for volunteers. • • We supported a student in gaining archaeological experience to support her studies in History and Archaeology at Edinburgh University We have issued Skills Passport for 2 attendees and signed off skills in them. Throughout the course of Can You Dig It, we identified that our primary demographic was older people in term-time and families in holidays / weekends. Neither of these demographics are typically interested in formal certification. However, we have supported those people that are interested, and have formulated Can You Dig It 2 (2020 – 2022) such that a more structured training programme (if not certified) will form the core of the programme. See Section 7: Assessment and Section 8: CYDI 2 for more details. 6.7. Create school resources compatible with Curriculum for Excellence. Access to schools has proved somewhat difficult, due to congested timetables. However, a vbisit to Kells School, New Galloway proved very rewarding, both for the pupils and the Can You Dig It team. See Section 6.3 for photos of our visit to the school. We have remodelled our approach to delivery of teaching resources and have built into our planned booklet ranges (see Section 6.10) a section on archaeological learning approaches to the sites linked to Curriculum for Excellence. These have been developed to produce a robust and enduring resource for schools, families and lifelong learning. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 21 OFFICIAL 6.8. Reporting: DSRs, Survey reports, Documentary research Data Structure Reports (DSRs) for all of our explorations (sub-projects) are now complete and are in the process of submission through OASIS to both the local HER and the NRHE. They are also published on the Galloway Glens website, www.gallowayglens.org/resuorces - scroll down to Can You Dig It. The full list of these reports is: • • • • • • • Upper Gairloch, Raiders Road – clearance and investigation of the Kiln Barn Castledykes, Kirkcudbright – excavation of test pits Moat Brae, Kirkcudbright – evaluation trenching Upper Gairloch, Raiders Road – clearance and investigation of the Farmhouse Little Wood Hill, Threave – excavation of the Iron Age enclosure The Corserine, Glenkens – survey of high ground wrecks Barhill Woods, Kirkcudbright - Historic Woodland Assessment These reports were prepared in keeping with the relevant Chartered Institute for Archaeologists Standards & Guidance. Where the site involved the recovery of artefacts, the report was extended to include specialist assessment of this report. In a similar manner, where the sites encompassed social history resources, we have undertaken provisional reviews of these resources to deepen and broaden the information within the report compared to the conventional product. All of the sub-projects were also informed and shaped by Research Designs (RDs) which have also been made available by common means with the DSRs. 6.9. Assessment/ lessons learned report See Section 7 for a full report. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 22 OFFICIAL 6.10. Progress report on life-long learning activities Three strands were developed for lifelong learning through the Can You Dig It project: • • • Informal promotion and engagement through social media and lectures Formal training workshops On-the-job training during sub-projects. The informal social media strand (see 7.1.2 below) has been more successful than anticipated. This has led to additional resources being deployed into promoting recurring initiatives that collaborate with others (like #FolkloreThursday #FindsFriday #LoveDandG). Formal training workshops have developed core archaeology skills (see Section 6.2 ii & iii above) which has reinforced on-the-job training on-site. A good crossover has been noted with multiple individuals using both the workshops and attending sub-projects. Only two individuals chose to commence skills passports (which were supplied to them at no cost) though all volunteers were briefed on them and shown examples. A recent addition to the life-long learning activities has been the incorporation of some of the CYDI findings into a planned series of Galloway Glens booklets. The final range of booklets will cover many of the technical findings of the Galloway Glens projects, but CYDI will feature heavily. First plans are to cover the Barhill Woods Historic Woodland Assessment, and then an edition based on the Corserine High-Ground Wrecks. 6.11. Proof of archiving OASIS forms have been completed for all sub-projects, with the completed DSRs uploaded as grey literature reports. These grey literature reports have been pre-circulated to the receiving Historic Environment Record (HER). Structured archives have been prepared for each sub-project as have notifications for the Treasure Trove Unit (TTU) of artefacts recovered. The former will be submitted to the National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) once the TTU decision is known. At the same time, the artefacts will be supplied to the receiving institution. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 23 OFFICIAL 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 24 OFFICIAL 7. Assessment of Can You Dig It Can You Dig It is primarily a Community Engagement project, and as such, our twin focus has been on building a community of interest through communication and engagement, and on accessibility and inclusivity. 7.1. Communication and Engagement 7.1.1. Branding We created our own brand for Can You Dig It, related to but distinct from the Galloway Glens, in pursuit of creating a new community of interest with a clear identity. This has been very well received and the branding is now well recognised across our community of interest. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 25 OFFICIAL 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 26 OFFICIAL 7.1.2. Social Media results We created a Facebook page, Twitter feed and SketchFab page with the Can You Dig It brand, and have had increasingly good interaction there, as the volunteers have got to know each other and the team. We have used Facebook Live and videos as very effective ways of engaging with people and increasing our reach. • Twitter @GGLPArchaeology. In the 13 months to late March 2020, we have tweeted 425 times, generating 2579 profile visits, 344 followers, 311,300 tweet impressions and 167 mentions. • Facebook @GGLPArchaeology. Our Facebook page has 390 followers, which includes a smaller core of enthusiasts who Comment and Like regularly. The page has reached 18,000 people and 3,500 engagements / month when popular posts are shared, and individual popular posts typically reach 10,000 people, generating 1,200 engagements. In the 13 months to late March 2020 we have posted 590 photos, as well as 7 Technical Notes, 2 VLOGS, lecture notes, the DSRs and the Historic Woodland Assessment, in order to provide quality content. • Sketchfab (GGLPArchaeology) The twelve models uploaded by late March 2020 have generated 628 views, the most popular one being the aerial model of the deserted settlement at Polmaddy. https://sketchfab.com/3dmodels/deserted-settlement-at-polmaddy-36aa9a5ecebf498c96ae44d559c49481 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 27 OFFICIAL Some recent Twitter chat: 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 28 OFFICIAL Some Facebook engagements: 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 29 OFFICIAL 7.2. Accessibility and Inclusivity 7.2.1. Planning for inclusion We knew we didn’t want just ‘the usual suspects’ for Can You Dig It, but instead consciously set out to identify and then remove barriers that other people might feel about getting involved. With this in mind, the roles and responsibilities of Can You Dig It were clearly outlined from the start: • • • Rathmell Archaeology provided technical design and delivery of the programme. Galloway Glens used their deep and broad community knowledge to: o Help inform target identification such that they would be likely to be of wide interest o Market the events in a way likely to appeal to local communities o Identify and remove likely barriers to attendance. o Identify individual and communities of interest that would benefit or could support the programme. A Steering Group consisting of HES representatives, the Regional Archaeologist (Andrew Nicholson) and a local historian /archaeologist (David Devereux) was formed and met 2monthly in order to support programme design and provide assurance that it was meeting technical and community requirements. 7.2.2. Accessibility postcards In order to remove barriers to attendance, we created printed Accessibility Postcards for each event in order to give as much information as possible about expectations of outdoor work, toilet location, nature of the group and so on. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 30 OFFICIAL 7.2.3. Inclusivity Outcomes We have also been consistently inclusive and welcoming in the tone of our social media feeds and emails, plus of course the friendly welcome and excellent camaraderie at events. This has paid dividends in a number of specific cases. Attendance at all our events has been very varied, and we have been delighted to welcome a wider audience than the ‘early retired’ that such projects typically attract in the Galloway Glens area (although they have been awesome too!) We had a lot of young (Primary School-aged) families along to the digs over the summer holidays. We have had older families along at the weekend digs and guided walks, with some repeat attendance. We supported a student in gaining archaeological experience to support her studies in History and Archaeology at Edinburgh University We have issued Skills Passport for 2 attendees and signed off skills in them. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 31 OFFICIAL 7.3. Participant feedback A selection of feedback from participants via email: “I found the Rathmell staff to be really friendly and approachable. They took me asking cheeky questions really well and asked for our ideas on the site to bring our local knowledge into interpreting the site.” – Upper Gairloch Participant, April 2019 “It gave me a good introduction to an aspect of 3-D modelling of which I knew nothing. Liam clearly set out the Photogrammetry software packages that were available and gave a good assessment of their pros and cons. On the practical side, there was a useful discussion about what were the optimal photographic conditions required to achieve best results, what were the pitfalls; and how many shots and angles required.” – 3-D Modelling workshop participant, April 2019. • • • Tom and Liam [Rathmell] were great in sharing their broad knowledge of different aspects of archaeology, so the whole day was more interesting. Can't really think how it could be improved! It was a lot more than I expected. I loved being shown the low tech, accessible skills for surveying and now feel fairly confident that I could do a passable survey of an area. Tom and Liam were brilliant, we couldn’t have asked for more enthusiastic, informative, encouraging and engaging people, they get five stars from us. Participants in Mid-Kelton outdoor survey skills workshop, June 2019. “That does look like a good day out, Helen - as does the one to look at rusty metal on the hills. I’ve attached a photo taken in 1989 of my son Euan and the remains of the De Havilland Mosquito on Corserine. It might be interesting for the people who take part to compare this with the few scraps of material still there thirty years later.” – In response to an email about upcoming Corserine HighGround Wreck surveys. “I was really impressed by how the team took time to explain things and processes. I have been on community digs before where there was a definite them and us feeling and nothing was explained.” – Retired archaeologist, Castledykes test pitting, July 2019 “I had a fantastic time at the Threave dig, and feel quite sad that it's over. I met lots of lovely people and the folk from Rathmell (otherwise known as "The Orange Vests") were brilliant professional, keen to share their knowledge, and very willing to have a laugh. The camaraderie made even the toughest jobs seem like fun. I cannot praise them enough - especially Jack, who put up with an awful lot of good natured teasing along the way!” - Participant in Threave dig, August 2019. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 32 OFFICIAL “Just wanted to say that I am really liking having the videos on Twitter of the ROC post tour that Tom did yesterday. I couldn't make it along on the day due to working but has been really interesting catching up this evening and plan to go and have a look at some of the sites myself. Having the what 3 words locations is a really good idea to help with getting the right spot.” October 2019. “Heartfelt thanks to Helen, Tom, Claire (and anyone else who knows me.............) for the wonderful Galloway Glens Project - and all its bits - during 2019. It has been a real pleasure to participate in a variety of awesomely different "events" (HIGHLIGHT the Corserine survey on the hottest day of the year, but I'm also now looking at Moths [a different Galloway Glens project!] with total respect!), and I shall look forward to more fun in 2020!!!” – Regular participant, December 2019 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 33 OFFICIAL 7.4. Lessons Learned We actively encouraged our participants to give us constructive feedback in order to improve our delivery of events. Most of the suggestions for improvement were concentrated on the workshop delivery rather than the outdoor skills / excavations. Suggestions made and acted on included: • • • • • • • More Rathmell support at ‘Web-Based Resources’ workshops, in order to support basic IT skills as well as access to Canmore etc. Adjusting the format of the 3-D modelling workshops so that the flow was smoother, with less waiting on computer processing time. Giving as much notice as possible for events, and scheduling some for weekends. Publicising events via email as well as Facebook. Taking time to set all survey / excavation events in the context of the wider historical / archaeological events connected with the site. Creating a bus tour of the sites, to allow people with restricted mobility to get a sense of the Can You Dig It programme - this was planned for April 2020, now postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions. Making it clear in our event advertising that there were non-digging options available, such a cataloguing and drawing finds. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 34 OFFICIAL In addition, we learned through observation and reflection that: 1. There are a limited number of people in the Galloway Glens area who want to learn survey skills / 3-D modelling, and those that do are prepared to travel for it. Due to our initial commitment to spread events fairly across the geography of the Galloway Glens, we held duplicate workshops on each subject in the Glenkens, Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright areas. The first workshops in all cases were well attended, and numbers then dropped off. In future, holding fewer workshops in Castle Douglas would appear to be acceptable to all participants. 2. For some reason, our participants prefer smaller digs to the longer ones. Attendance at the Moat Brae and Castledykes digs was noticeably higher per day than the Threave dig, which we thought would be a big draw. Perhaps newcomers were intimidated by the prospect of a ‘big dig’, or thought they had to commit more time. We can incorporate this learning into CYDI 2. 3. Participants very much appreciate the personal nature of our communications and project. The fact that all the emails come from the same named person within the Galloway Glens team (Helen Keron), and that all the events are delivered by a small team from Rathmell Archaeology means that people feel confident to get in touch with issues, ideas and feedback, increasing participation and engagement significantly. 4. Embedding Can You Dig It within a Landscape Partnership Scheme has had significant benefits. The project has benefited from the breadth of projects and networks that the Galloway Glens supports. The interactions between these has added richness and depth to our residents’ understanding of all aspects of their heritage. The Galloway Glens has benefited from the technical heft that the project has brought to the scheme – it has been a real anchor project, as well as a link. The links through CYDI to HES and the regional archaeologist has allowed Galloway Glens to (hopefully) influence practice on a regional and national level. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 35 OFFICIAL 8. Can You Dig It 2: 2020-2022 We were delighted to hear that we had been successful in our application to HES for continuation funding for a further two years of work on Can You Dig It. Can You Dig It will end in March 2020 under the current funding regime, and we are reluctant to leave our newly-inspired community without the wherewithal to follow up on their new interest. We therefore propose a second phase of Can You Dig It which will focus on three main themes: 1. Creating new active self-directing volunteer groups by providing them with the skills to: • Research and select appropriate targets of interest • Secure appropriate permissions • Have the skills and knowledge to operate a group safely • Organise and execute digs or explorations, open to the general public, to high (semiprofessional) standards • Record their findings appropriately • Work with other similar groups in the area to share learnings and best practice. 2. Creating a different volunteer group that will bring a deserted settlement into active custodianship. Maintain, improve and interpret it with a real sense of ownership. 3. Holding a series of public talks that will set the archaeology and built heritage of the area in a wider context, increasing knowledge in the wide public and encouraging them to value it more. 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 36 OFFICIAL 9. Conclusion We have been delighted by the success of Can You Dig It, especially in the compressed February 2019 – March 2020 timescale. We feel that our partnership approach in planning set us off in a strong strategic direction, and that the operational delivery has achieved many of the stated core aims. To re-cap, these aims were to: • • • • Increase enthusiasm and general knowledge amongst local residents for their built heritage Upskill enthusiasts further with a wide range of modern archaeological techniques Offer work experience / Skills passport opportunities to people looking to enter the field. Engage with a wide range of people and minimise barriers to participation. In addition, it was identified that the project should • • • Cover as wide a range of eras as practical Cover the Galloway Glens geographic area in an equitable manner. Build on previous community engagement with more work to ensure that the project meets the needs and expectations of the local community. It is hoped that this report demonstrates that this project has been planned and executed in such a way that those aims have been fully met. We have of course had challenges along the way, but our requests for and responses to community feedback mean that we have been able to be nimble in our evolution of the programme. We’d like to thank all the many supporters of the programme, both those mentioned in Section 6 above and also the private landowners who have given permission. Particular thanks are due to our funders, the NHLF and HES, without whose support we would not have been able to offer these activities for free. Cost is a major barrier to participation for some key demographics, so this support was most welcome. Helen Keron Education and Community Engagement Officer, Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme 26th March 2020 26/03/2020 CYDI – END OF YEAR REPORT OFFICIAL 37  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Can You Dig It – End Of Year Report 2019 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_120 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2019 Description An account of the resource Can You Dig It review archaeology GGLP