Director’s Report

This year has seen an increasing number of rural walkover surveys, especially in advance of mini-hydro schemes. These seem particularly popular in the Perthshire highlands. Other energy-related projects have included a large wind farm in central Scotland, and a series of power line renewals in the Western Isles. Closer to our urban roots, we have seen a number of schools renewal projects requiring evaluations, some quite large, and generally leading to further work. A particularly interesting but also challenging project has been the ongoing work at Moy Castle on the Isle of Mull, where we have been paradoxically excavating some 20 metres above ground level, removing collapsed deposits from wall walks and upper floors in advance of consolidation. Towards the end of the year, we have been finding remains of what may be medieval rural settlement in the Carse of Gowrie, and possible early Christian structures in Abernethy.

Meanwhile back in the office, the writing up of the Horse Cross excavations in Perth is drawing to a close, and the Ballumbie medieval cemetery post-excavation is proceeding steadily. Also proceeding steadily is the writing up of the Perth High Street Excavations, revived under HS auspices after many decades of uncertainty and frustration.

The HS-supported ceramic projects are progressing satisfactorily, and attracting wide interest. These are the studies of the sources and dates of the Scottish Redware and White Gritty industries, which play such an important part in our understanding of medieval Scotland, and were until recently so little-understood themselves.

The Perth signage project has moved more sedately this year. The second phase of signs has been produced, but awaits installation, and we have been mainly engaged in tying up loose ends of the project, although we have also done some signage work for Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust and the St Magdalene’s Hill Steering Group.

SUAT staff continue to play an important role in the wider structure of Scottish archaeology. David Bowler remains Publications Convenor of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and on the Council of the local society (PSNS). Derek Hall continues on the TAFAC Council as Assistant Journal Editor, is the Editor of Medieval Ceramics, and is a founding member of Scottish Church Heritage Research. This latter body is poised to greatly expand its activities after many years of preparation. Catherine Smith is still serving on the committee of the Abertay Historical Society and on the Council of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

We have continued to provide placements for volunteers, students and school pupils, and have made good though painful progress in dealing with the archives and assemblages of older projects.

We have seen a certain amount of turnover of staff in the last few years, as people move on in their careers. Thanks are due to former staff for their continuing goodwill, and to present staff for their flexibility and energy in adjusting to changing roles and responsibilities. Thanks are also due to the Chairman, Vice-Chair and Trust Council, for their continuing support, advice and encouragement, and for their necessarily closer involvement in the business of SUAT as we continue to develop and adapt.