Young archaeologists walk in the footsteps of Scotland’s kings

Scone: Pupils dig up 600-year-old pottery fragments during field work

Sharp-eyed young archaeologists have unearthed some interesting finds while combing land near the historic Scone Palace.

Worked flint and 600-year-old decorative fragments of medieval pottery were among the discoveries made by primary school pupils from Robert Douglas Memorial School in Scone.

Led by Sophie Nicoll, historic environment officer for the Tay Landscape Project, the primary 4, 5 and 6 pupils took part in two days of field walking – a technique for finding or studying archaeological sites by walking systematically across a ploughed field, collecting artefacts on the surface.

Scone Palace opens its doors to the public for its summer season today and marketing manager Margo Baird said: “We are delighted to be working with Tay Landscape Partnership again, and the recently ploughed Mansion Field near Balboughty Home Farm is perfect for this project.

“Since we’ll be celebrating VisitScotland’s Year of History and Archaeology all year, this seems like a fitting event to kick things off.

“Scone Palace Estates has played an important part in Scottish history and the children will be walking in the footsteps of Scotland’s ancient kings.”

The archaeological field walking is part of a Tay Landscape Partnership project called Early Settlers, looking for evidence of Mesolithic people in and around the area.

As part of their class work, the RDM children have been reading the novel Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver, which is set in Mesolithic times.

“This is the last ever session of the project and we are really excited to be working with Robert Douglas Memorial School to see what we can find on a ploughed field in Scone Estate,” said Sophie Nicoll.

“The field walking is part of Mesolithic Week, a full week of early prehistoric education at the school, with ancient crafts and skills, a pop-up museum and a whole range of educational and fun events for the pupils.”

Tay Landscape Partnership is delivering 28 community heritage and environment projects over a four-year period.

We are delighted to be working with Tay Landscape Partnership again, and the recently ploughed Mansion Field near Balboughty Home Farm is perferct for this project. MARGO BAIRD

Katie Dalton and Casey McLeod flag their find of white gritty-ware pottery.