Hunt is back on for town’s lost castle
Securing funds for High Point test digs
A fresh bid to secure funding to carry out test archeological digs at the High Point in Greenhills and uncover remnants of the lost Lickprivick Castle has been launched.
Chair of the Greenhills Millennium Group (GMVG), Councillor Archie Buchanan, and a representative from Archaeology Scotland, Phil Richardson, say they are in the process of making sure there is enough funding to carry out further test digs at the site.
Councillor Buchanan, who was re-elected as chair of the Millennium Group earlier in the year, said he is confident digs will take place next year.
In 2001 the Greenhills Millennium Group was set up by local people to attract funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to produce a documentary video about the history of the area and, in particular, the castle at Lickprivick.
The video, produced by local entrepreneur Kevin Devine, was shown on a large screen to over 100 residents and dignitaries at Greenhills Community Centre.
It was also bought by many individuals, not only in Greenhills, but by those with links to the town who had emigrated to Australia, Canada, Italy and elsewhere.
Due to the research at the time the group were interested in having some type of archaeological dig carried out but this never took place and the group went into hibernation for several years.
Councillor Buchanan said: “With the recent reactivation of the GMVG Committee by local people there is every possibility that an archaeological dig will now take place in April next year.
“We were delighted to welcome Phil Richardson from Archaeology Scotland who visited the High Point Area including Troon Court where he was quite enthusiastic in supporting some test pits to see what evidence could be found.
“Both Phil and the group will be actively pursuing funding, with Phil also indicating that he would have some work carried out using various tools, including the overlaying of maps available before the area was developed.
“If we are fortunate to take this forward there would be an educational initiative involving local people, school children, senior citizens and just about anybody who would be interested in participating in a grass roots event in their local community.”
The group is also in the process of transferring the GMVG video to CD and it will then be available locally and also in the library system of South Lanarkshire Council.
Archie is also willing to offer the CD to any group in East Kilbride interested in the story of Lickprivick Castle and the High Point. He can be contacted on 07748 114 555 or at archie.buchanan@ southlanarkshire.gov.uk