The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
It’s the end of an era as crannog creator retires
After more than 20 years, Barrie Andrian has decided it is time to take a step back
Loch Tay, once home to our Iron Age ancestors, has long been the site of archaeological interest.
In 1994 the public was offered a visual guide to ancient habitations with the beginnings of what was to become the Scottish Crannog Centre.
The structure was created over two years by underwater archaeologist Barrie Andrian and her husband, Dr Nick Dixon, who founded the Scottish Trust for Underwater Archaeology.
After two decades of pioneering and hands-on leadership, Ms Andrian has now announced she is retiring from her position as director of the centre.
She leaves behind a lauded visitor attraction that has contributed to our understanding of Scotland’s Iron Age past.
She said: “It has been an amazing adventure and journey from start to finish, but for me it is the end of an era.”
The couple built the crannog as an archaeological experiment, based on their underwater discoveries in Loch Tay.
The distinctive roundhouses were once found on lochs across Scotland, providing a measure of security for
“It has been an amazing journey from start to finish, but for me it is the end of an era.
BARRIE ANDRIAN
communities. After opening to the public in 1997, the couple went on to develop the Scottish Crannog Centre, adding a visitor centre, exhibits, craft stations, dugout canoes and more.
Ms Andrian and her team won many awards, including Visit Scotland 5-star status, Investors in People, Best Visitor Attraction in Perthshire and Gold awards from the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
These accolades led to the centre’s recognition as an archaeological museum through a three-year 1.2 million euro EU project in which it collaborated with museums in seven other countries.
Ms Andrian and her husband also developed the centre’s Iron Age living history experience, which attract visitors of all ages, and have featured regularly on television.
The centre celebrated its 20th anniversary by staging its largest living history event – the Celts Are Coming! – and receiving the award of Full Museum Accreditation by Museums Galleries Scotland.
It was also a finalist in the Best Heritage Tourism Experience category at this year’s Scottish Thistle Regional Awards.
To cap a great year, Dr Dixon was presented with an OBE for services to underwater archaeology, public engagement and the Scottish economy.
Ms Andrian and Dr Dixon will remain involved with the trust and the Scottish Crannog Centre in a freelance capacity, continuing their underwater work and assisting with future museum developments.
A new director will be announced later this month.