drewbhoy
The oldest find on the list is a prehistoric site revealed by coastal erosion at Nisabost on Harris in the Western Isles.
Stone tools made from quartz and flint were discovered in a thin layer of charcoal and peat.
A new project aims to uncover more details about ancient stone monuments believed to have been built by Scotland’s first farmers.
Researchers believe they have found possible evidence that polar bears lived in Scotland during the last ice age.
An abandoned visitor centre in Aberdeenshire, which cost £4m to build in 1997, is on the market for offers over £150,000.
Archaeolink Prehistory Park at Oyne, near Insch, shut down in 2011, after Aberdeenshire Council withdrew funding due to poor visitor numbers.
(As most who lived in Aberdeenshire knew, great idea, great site, wrong place)
A hoard of Bronze Age artefacts unearthed by a metal detectorist in the Borders has been saved for the nation by National Museums Scotland.
The only upright stone in the fort, presumably part of a hut circle.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
The interior of the east section, round the sloped cliff leads to another section.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
The south section of the west section, no need to build a wall, nature had already done it.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
Furthest west point looking down, nobody would attempt to take over the fort from this side.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
Furthest west point, sheep on life guard duty as well.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
The entrance, there are hut circles both sides of the track.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
The most northern part of the east side of the site.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
Several parts of the wall survive, this heading north west.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
On the other side of the causeway, a sheer drop into a rough sea.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
A watery grave at the bottom of the hole, eventually I’d assume this will vanish.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
The Culdees, 8th – 10th century
The so-called Culdees were early Christian ascetics who lived in remote communities, the Céli Dé or “Companions of God”. The concept originated in Ireland and it is believed by some scholars that the first inhabitants of Iceland, the “papar” who are recorded in so many placenames, were in fact Culdees. Famously, when the Norse first discovered Iceland, they were surprised to find traces of these Irish pioneers (“bells, books and staffs”); at a later date, although the Vikings wreaked havoc upon so many religious communities, they seem to have spared those of the Céli Dé – perhaps consciously out of affinity or respect, but perhaps merely on account of their material poverty and asceticism.
The late 8th century divine, St. Maelruan of Tallaght, developed a model “rule” for the Céli Dé and clearly influenced the movement. It is especially interesting that St. Maelruan, whose foundation was dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, was believed to have had a personal archangelic sign, in the form of a clod of earth and a bible delivered from on high, to assist in his foundation. Note that St. Michael is associated with desert places (St. Michael’s Mount, Skellig Michael etc.) and also that he was highly esteemed by the christian Vikings. His symbol is a balance and he weighed the merits and demerits of the dead before determining their entry to heaven or hell.
The obvious link between the vikings, Iceland and St. Buo (discussed above) is matched by a link between St. Michael and the famous Viking grave at Kiloran. This is the only known example of a ship-burial with christian overtones, and gravegoods included a balance with weights, the symbol of St. Michael, special patron of the Céli Dé . There is also a supposed Culdee origin to the chapel-site at Balnahard, formerly known as Cille Cairine, and I like to think that Dún Tealtaig is another such site. Originally it was spelled as Dún Ceilte, which I suspect is a simple corruption of “Dun Céli Dé” – dwelling-place of the Companions of God. My notion was independently supported by at least one archaeologist who looked at the site.
Kevin Byrne – Colonsay History
The heather covered north wall on a murky muggy day.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
The start of the north east wall, Kiloran Bay in the distance.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
North looking south, the east inside the entrance.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
North looking south on the east, the entrance.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
Looking south west, that stream was a nightmare.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
