Community Excavation at High Morlaggan, Loch Long
Surveying at High Morlaggan. Image supplied by Fiona Jackson
Excavation of the ruined settlement of High Morlaggan, which is situated near Arrochar, has just begun this week. Volunteers have commissioned the 2-week community training dig with the aim of determining the layout of the settlement and discovering evidence of earlier phases of occupation and development. The High Morlaggan Project is working in close partnership with professional archaeologists from Kilmartin House Museum , who are running the dig.
Volunteers researched the history of the site and carried out a preliminary survey with the support of the Scotland's Rural Past project, but funding for the excavation has come from the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Natural Heritage Grant Scheme. Although there is no public access to the site, any artefacts found will form part of a public exhibition and a full report will be available to local heritage groups and communities. It is hoped the results will also be published.
High Morlaggan on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map
Research undertaken by members of the High Morlaggan Project team has confirmed existence of a settlement at this site dating back to the very early 16th Century. Census records and valuation rolls show that it was inhabited until the early 20th Century.
The High Morlaggan Project is keen to raise the profile of rural deserted settlements like this, saying, "It is the very nature of High Morlaggan's ordinariness that makes it so extraordinary. There are thousands of deserted settlements like this all over Scotland, but because they are so commonplace, people do not give them a second glance. Yet they represent the heritage of most Scottish people; more than the much-visited castles and stately homes.
The project has been amazed by the enthusiasm of over 40 volunteers, who are queuing for places on the dig - even kids from the local primary school are taking part.
Roddy Regan, archaeologist with Kilmartin House Museum explained: "While these later sources give us clues about who lived at Morlaggan, earlier sources are more silent regarding the people who actually lived and worked there. It is here that archaeology can provide an insight into the more distant past. Over time, the settlement will have changed, buildings will have been modified or moved, deposits will have built up over the floors and rubbish will have piled up within midden areas. By excavating the site in a systematic fashion we will be able to peel away these layers to reveal the lives of the people who lived here."
Linda Winskill, Land Management Officer with the National Park added: "We're delighted to have awarded this project a Natural Heritage Grant. It's a fascinating insight into the cultural heritage of the early settlers to Loch Long in the National Park. We look forward to seeing what the team find."
Roddy also commented "It's a really exciting project and thanks have to go to Sue Furness and Fiona Jackson for all their hard work in surveying the site and securing the funds needed for the excavation."