NORTH OF SCOTLAND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

DEVELOPMENT PLAN

November 2012

North of Scotland Archaeological Society Development Plan

© AOC Archaeology Group November 2012


Table of Contents

Introduction ...... 4

Background...... 5

History of NOSAS...... 5

Context...... 6

The Archaeological Landscape...... 6

Groups / Organisationswhose activities have a bearing on NOSAS activitites...... 7

Review of the Organisation...... 10

Initial Consultation...... 10

Facilitated Workshops, Discussions and Outcomes...... 14

Issues and Opportunities: 10 Priority Action Areas...... 15

Organisational Structure (Priority 1)...... 15

NOSAS Membership (Priority 2)...... 17

What Projects? (Priority 3)...... 17

Activities (Priority 4)...... 22

Publications and Archives (Priority 5)...... 23

Skills (Priority 6)...... 24

Resource (Priority 7)...... 25

Marketing (Priority 8)...... 25

Partnership working (Priority 9)...... 26

Funding (Priority 10)...... 26

A Framework for Action...... 28

Mission Statement...... 28

Forward Action Plan...... 28

Conclusion ...... 30

Appendices ...... 31

1INTRODUCTION

AOC has been commissioned by North of Scotland Archaeological Society (NOSAS) to undertake a review and analysis of its activities and to prepare a Development Plan to guide its activities over the next three to five years. NOSAS wishes to clarify its role, rationalise its activities and to formalise its future plans to maximise benefit from its activities for its membership and membership areas.

In this context, NOSAS has identified the following questions and issues:

  • Based on the original aims and objectives of NOSAS, what have been the main successes in its 11 years of operation?
  • What has been less successful remains to be addressed or reviewed?
  • Based on the responses to the above questions, which areas of activity offer the greatest potential benefit for NOSAS, its membership and its membership areas?
  • How can NOSAS best address the resource implications of delivering these activities?

This document sets out the Development Strategy and begins by looking at NOSAS in the wider strategic context and interrogating its mission statement and associated values. The strategic analysis is set out together with a series of development issues based on work undertaken during a series of consultations (see below). The development programme is then defined, mapping out a path that will guide NOSAS in its activities. Finally implementation and resourcing issues are considered.

During the project we have benefited from the advice, assistance and information provided by everyone we have come into contact with associated with NOSAS and we wish to record our thanks to them all. We value the opportunity to contribute to the future of the Society and we wish the Committee and members well in implementing a plan that is ambitious but realistic and achievable.

AOC’s project methodology comprised three stages:

Initial Review and Analysis

Desk based research and review of online information. One to one interviews either face to face or by telephone with members, stakeholders and partner organisations. This allowed the establishment of baseline information and the identification of issues for discussion at a Development Workshop attended by NOSAS committee members.

Development Workshop

The Development Workshop took the form of a facilitated discussion centred on the initial review and analysis, review and confirmation of the mission, values and future activities of NOSAS and action planning. The workshop discussions were utilised in preparation of this final report.

Development Strategy and Action Plan

This involved further analysis of the pre-workshop report and conclusions from the workshop itself leading to the preparation of this Development Strategy and Plan.

2BACKGROUND

NORTH of SCOTLAND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY (NOSAS)

The North of Scotland Archaeological Society was formed in 1998 to further the study of archaeology in the North of Scotland and to promote that interest to a wider audience. It was established by a group of students who had recently completed a three year Certificate in Archaeology course at Aberdeen University’s Centre for Continuing Education and now has over 100 members from all over the Highlandsincluding Ross-shire, Sutherland, Caithness, Aberdeenshire, Inverness-shire and Argyll.

The Society is a constituted community group and is run by a Committee who are subject to re-election every 3 years. Office bearers are Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. All NOSAS members including the managing Committee are volunteers.

Membership of NOSAS costs £12.50 per annum and is open to all. It entitles members to participate in general society activities; borrow books from NOSAS’s library housed in the Highland Council library in Dingwall; access to SCRAN; receive regular newsletters; and attend Monthly Archaeological Discussion Groups in the winter.

Their activities are varied and include field walking, participation in excavations, survey and lectures, publication of books/booklets, as well as participation in/contribution to Archaeology Scotland’s annual Scottish Archaeology Month. NOSAS’s independent fieldwork predominantly comprises interpretation, survey and recording of archaeological sites and landscapes.

Comprehensive reports can be accessed freely on the website at

NOSAS also conducts excavations, for example at sheiling site at Glen Feshie, Inverness-shire. More commonly, NOSAS’s involvement in projects is in association with other groups and bodies, such as Roads Through Ross with ARCH Highland. NOSAS members often participate in projects that are being run entirely independently of the Society. Members regularly make contributions to the annual Highland Archaeology Festival organised by the Highland Council and to Scottish Archaeology Month organised by Archaeology Scotland. NOSAS also has links with other archaeological societies, and aims to distribute details of archaeology-related events and activities to an extended body of interested people. NOSAS has a website at where information is easily accessible to both members and the general public. There is a tab entitled ‘membership log-in’ allowing restricted access for members only.

NOSAS has a comprehensive range of equipment for surveying, recording and excavation, which members can borrow. It also has an extensive library housed within the Highland Council library at Dingwall Academy. Archaeological site records of past and present projects are available at the library and can be sent out to members on loan.

NOSAS events provide an opportunity to meet likeminded people and to share ideas and information. Many of these members have ideas for sites, themes and landscapes that they would like to see investigated as part of NOSAS’s activities.

3CONTEXT

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE

The archaeology of the north of Scotland is diverse but largely under-studied. This is in part due to the much lower intensity of development and construction than in the more densely populated south of Scotland. Nonetheless, Canmore lists over 25,000 archaeological sites and find spots within Highland Council’s area.

The prehistoric period in the north of Scotland is characterised by large upstanding field monuments such as brochs and cairns, as well as smaller, less visible sites such as hut circles and burnt mounds. The early historic period is characterised by evidence for the Picts, seen most spectacularly in their carved stones but also in the remains of their houses. Evidence of the medieval period abounds, particularly in the form of churches, tower houses and castles, but also in the form of more modest remains such as shielings. The Highland clearances of the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as the abandonment of many remote farming communities in favour of settlement closer to roads and services, has left the north of Scotland scattered with derelict stone-built domestic and agricultural buildings, sometimes clustered in settlements far from modern roads.

Commercial archaeological activity in the north of Scotland occurs continually, often as a result of development. In the north east this is often related to the oil industry and the development of wind farms, but in the southern part of the area, it is more often related to the development of cities such as Aberdeen and Inverness. This work, when it occurs on a large scale, is often undertaken by commercial units, many of whom as based in southern or central Scotland. Their presence results in associated economic uplift through local spending and the use of local businesses. Self-employed archaeologists also operate within the region on watching briefs, small-scale trial excavations and so on.

There are over 20 museums in Highland alone that are registered with Museums Galleries Scotland, the membership body for museums and galleries, as well as innumerable smaller, local museums and heritage centres. The presence of such museums indicates that there exists a market for and interest in history, heritage and archaeology. Each of these museums must employ staff and attract visitors, and as such contribute to the north of Scotland’s economy.

The north of Scotland is known for its vast landscapes and remote wildernesses. Films such as Braveheart and the Disney-Pixar animation Brave capitalises on Scotland’s rich imagery and romanticised notional past. The history and prehistory of the north of Scotland is central to how the area is perceived on a national and international level. With this in mind, the north of Scotland’s rich archaeological landscape should be considered key to the development of tourism. A recent study carried out in Orkney showed that 14% of tourists visiting the islands were inspired by their desire to see the archaeological sites. Many of these tourists would have travelled through parts of northern mainland Scotland on their way to Orkney, perhaps barely stopping en route. Increasing and enhancing opportunities for engagement with heritage and archaeology may help promote the north as a destination in its own right.

Archaeological groups and societies across the north of Scotland (Caithness Archaeological Trust, Yarrows Heritage Trust, Historic Assynt, NOSAS, ARCH Highland etc) have in recent years conducted numerous excavation and survey projects, testament to the many people for whom archaeology is a hobby or a passion. Ardent and proactive groups of people are driving forward the move towards more openly accessible archaeology by creating opportunities for members of the public to get involved in the investigation of Scotland’s past. NOSAS has done so successfully on a number of occasions – but the purpose of this report is to formulate a more structured plan of action that will see NOSAS’s activities grow appropriately in scope, frequency and academic focus.

GROUPS/ORGANISATIONS WHOSE ACTIVITIES HAVE A BEARING ON PAST, CURRENT AND FUTURE NOSAS ACTIVITIES

NOSAS’s activities are in line with and contribute to many national and regional development plans and strategies. This is an important starting point as it places the Society centrally within the current heritage sector and will aid future partnership and funding proposals.

National Cultural Context

Scotland’s National Cultural Strategy

NOSAS activities in the past and in the future will contribute to some key areas which are key to driving Scotland’s National Cultural Strategy forward, particularly:

  • promoting the contribution of culture
  • developing education and learning
  • widening opportunities and improving the nation’s health

Historic Scotland’s Corporate Plan 2012-15

In particular, the activities of NOSAS now and in the future will contribute to the following key points as set out in the document:

  • Increasing levels of collaboration and partnership between organisations and individuals with an interest in the historic environment, in the public, private and voluntary sectors, with Historic Scotland taking a major enabling role towards the common purpose of maximising the benefit of the historic environment (p7)
  • Growing opportunities for all people to use, enjoy and understand the value of the historic environment, now and in the future (p7)
  • Support creative ways for communities to engage with their local historic environment (p26)

National Social and Economic Context

Scottish Rural Development Programme, Rural Priorities, Built and Cultural Heritage Priorities

Conservation and enhancement of the historic environment, with priority given to proposals that:

  • Enhance and conserve the most significant rural vernacular buildings, archaeological or historic sites and historic landscapes. In particular proposals that:
  • Enhance and conserve vernacular rural buildings identified within Archaeological Heritage Areas or within Cairngorms National Park
  • Enhance and conserve archaeological or historic sites and historic landscapes identified within Cairngorms National Park, or within Archaeological Heritage Areas, or identified as being nationally or regionally important in the Highland Non-Statutory Register or Historic Environment Record
  • Seek to protect, restore and enhance the built elements and woodland and tree elements of Highland's Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes
  • Seek to identify, protect and promote heritage trees.
  • Help to maintain local distinctiveness and promote local identity and pride of place through the management of vernacular rural buildings, archaeological or historic sites and historic landscapes[1].

Scottish Rural Development Programme, Rural Priorities, Thriving Rural Communities Priorities

Sustainable, resilient rural communities, which are empowered and encouraged to take a positive role in influencing issues affecting them and their communities, through improving skills, knowledge and capacity and supporting other community led initiatives. In particular proposals:

  • Reflecting the priorities of the Community Planning Partnerships and Local Action Groups, and Highland Wellbeing Alliance Community priorities.[2]

Scottish Government Policy on Community Learning and Development

Achievement through building community capacity:Building community capacity and influence by enabling people to develop the confidence, understanding and skills required to influence decision making and service delivery.[3]

Scottish Government’s National Performance Framework

This framework identifies 15 national outcomes, including:

  • We are better educated, more skilled and more successful, renowned for our research and innovation
  • We have strong, resilient and supportive communities where people take responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others
  • We value and enjoy our built and natural environment and protect it and enhance it for future generations

National Tourism Strategy; Scottish Tourism: the next decade – a framework for change

This document identifies “the increasing interest in extended education (so more demand for history and culture-related holidays)” (p11) as key to the future of Scotland’s tourism industry, with history and culture being identified as one of the key product areas (p27).

Regional Context

Highlands and Islands Enterprise Operating Plan 2012/13

Cultural Activity

“Investment in community-based arts and cultural activity has contributed to the growth of the Highlands and Islands as an attractive and distinctive region. HIE will assist communities to develop dynamic, creative places utilising the area's unique environmental and cultural assets.”

Highland Council’s Single Outcome Agreement 2009-11 (which is being rolled on beyond 2011 with few changes)

This document ties in with the Scottish Government’s National Performance Framework’s national outcomes as above,including:

  • We are better educated, more skilled and more successful, renowned for our research and innovation
  • We have strong, resilient and supportive communities where people take responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others
  • We value and enjoy our built and natural environment and protect it and enhance it for future generations

Highland Council’s Highland wide Local Development Plan March 2012

  • Ensuring that the special quality of the natural, built and cultural environment in Highland is protected and enhanced.

Main client groups, stakeholders, partnerships, funding organisations etc

There are numerous groups and societies across the north of Scotland with whom NOSAS has forged and should continue to maintain good working relationships. These include but are not limited to those listed below:

National heritage organisations including

  • Archaeology Scotland, and their Scottish Archaeology Month
  • Council for British Archaeology, and their Festival of British Archaeology
  • Historic Scotland
  • National Trust for Scotland
  • Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland

Regional heritage bodies and groups

  • Highland Council Historic Environment Team

Local heritage groups and societies

  • ARCH Highland
  • Caithness Archaeological Trust
  • Historic Assynt
  • Innumerable local history/heritage societies and trusts, whose opinions, involvement and/or advice should be sought wherever appropriate

Educational establishments

  • North Highland College
  • Aberdeen University
  • University of the Highlands and Islands

Also, other universities outside the north of Scotland with academic interests in the area, such as the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Eminent archaeologists and scholars of the area

Members

NOSAS’s 100+ members, of course, represent the Society’s direct client group, and NOSAS’s activities should necessarily reflect the members’ needs and wishes. Regular consultation and feedback should be sought to ensure that NOSAS’s aims and its members’ aims remain aligned.

Relevant Funding Bodies

In today’s society any historical work usually requires funding. A suite of potential funders are available, from national and local government bodies through to Heritage Lottery Fund and European Programmes (e.g., Leader). The issue of funding will be discussed in more detail later (section 5). Relevant funding bodies for NOSAS include:

  • European LEADER funding (each region has its own Local Action Group, with Highland, Aberdeenshire and Moray LAGs probably being most relevant to NOSAS’s area of interest)
  • Heritage Lottery Fund
  • Local trusts (dependant on region)
  • Local councils (dependant on region)
  • National bodies (e.g., Historic Scotland, Arts Councils)

4 REVIEW OF THE ORGANISATION

NOSAS is clearly a successful and active society with loyal, confident and proactive members who have a deep knowledge and understanding of the archaeology of the Highlands. The Society undertakes a wide range of activity across a complex landscape of different communities of interest.