New trail will unlock times past
A project which those behind it state shines a light on a “hugely significant” period of Crieff’s past has been officially opened.
The Strathearn Community Campus Archaeology Trail was formally unveiled by Dr Rebecca Jones, head of archaeology and world heritage at Historic Environment Scotland (HES), during a ceremony outside the high school on Tuesday last week.
It is designed to be a self-guided walk entirely within the campus grounds and features four interpretation panels which showcase the ancient and no-longer-visible archaeological sites and monuments that once stood within or near the campus.
These include the Crieff Stayt or parliament mound – which was located just south of the town’s Broich Road – and the Pittentian Timber Circle, among others.
The trail is said to be unique as none of Scotland’s other 350 senior schools can boast such a feature, or celebrate archaeological discoveries that were made as the school was being constructed.
Dr Jones said: “We are very excited to be part of the Strathearn Community Campus Archaeology Trail.
“These trails carry important social and educational value, unveiling and explaining local prehistoric monuments, about which little was known until recent archaeological work.
“The landscape here has been at the heart of this community for thousands of years and rightly celebrated at the community campus here in Crieff.
“We are hoping that, through these trails, we can help bring these invisible sites back to life for current and future generations.”
Dr Kenny Brophy, a senior lecturer in archaeology at Glasgow University, stated: “Crucially, none of these sites are visible in the landscape today, having all been found either as crop marks, or in excavations in advance of developments in the vicinity including the campus, the neighbouring primary school and an electricity pylon. Very little was known locally about any of this archaeology either – this is why the trail is so very important.”
Crieff resident Ian Hamilton is chair of Strathearn Archaeological and Historical Society.
He thanked the team of nine archaeologists and other specialists, management at the high school and Strathearn Community Campus, project funders and assembled guests for what he described as their “unstinting and generous support” over the years.
He added: “Tuesday was a very happy and memorable occasion for the community and demonstrated the ability of a relatively small team to deliver a unique, hugely significant, feature for the town and our visitors, but especially for the pupils of our high school, and those who follow on from our primary schools over the years.
“With the recent benefit of additional funding, and a very generous donation, there are several other initiatives in hand – in particular, a ‘welcome’ panel featuring pupils from S1 to S6, and a map of the trail. This will be installed before Christmas.”
The trail, which has taken five years to complete, was inaugurated in May 2014 when the Earl and Countess of Strathearn made their first visit to Crieff.
The royal guests unveiled the re-imagined timber circle, which stands on the trail and represented the first stage of its development.