Sign-posting Crieff’s rich prehistoric past Layout board of ancient site planned for Community Campus
A new interpretation panel featuring the Broich Cursus – one of Scotland’s largest prehistoric monuments – is nearing the production stage.
The information board will be installed at the entrance of Strathearn Community Campus and will be similar to the panel on the Timber Circle reconstruction unveiled by the Earl and Countess of Strathearn in May 2014, during their first visit to the area.
The panel design will feature a plan marking the layout of the cursus.
In addition to the huge historic site itself, which is almost 800 metres long and stretches south to the Earn, there are at least seven other significant places of reference on it, or nearby.
These cover the Neolithic, Bronze, Iron and Medieval periods of the archaeological timeline.
Ian Hamilton, chair of Strathearn Archaeological and Historical Society, has been instrumental in providing the permanent marker of Crieff’s rich past.
He told the Herald: “As with the first panel, this one has been researched and designed by academics, practising archaeologists and local volunteers with, most importantly, the support of a head teacher, her staff and pupils who realise how unique and fortunate they, and their sister primary school, are in having so many significant monuments literally beneath their feet.
“It is believed that no other cluster of a primary and secondary school in Scotland rests on such a richly historic site
“The input by those involved has been on a ‘pro bono’ basis, with very modest financial contribution as required.
“This unique archaeological presence in Crieff has been readily adopted and welcomed by the community, and beyond.
“Undergraduate archaeologists from Europe and America have visited the campus during their summer field school, and guided walks and lectures have been a feature of recent Perth and Kinross archaeology months.”
Ian said that the local response to the project has been most satisfying.
He declared: “Our parents and their children have taken to their archaeology like ducks to water, realising that Crieff has a unique heritage they can take ownership of, nourish, protect and be proud of as a part of their community’s history.”
Ian also said marking the monument will also have a future benefit to the town if it expands in the Broich road area as Perth and Kinross Council has created a way-leave over all of the cursus south of the road.
He explained: “This ground will not be built upon, thereby leaving an open corridor respectful of the ancient sites.
“It may take some time, but there is a role for two further panels at the campus visualising – via reconstruction paintings – the Crieff Stayt (Parliamentary mound) and the Bronze age burial techniques at the Primary School.
“There is also scope for a replica prehistoric roundhouse, which could be an interesting community project.’’
The next talk of the Strathearn Archaeological and Historical Society is on Tuesday, March 28, at 7.30pm at Strathearn Community Campus.
It will be given by Kenneth Maclean of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. Non-members £3.