A couple of weeks ago I had a very interesting day, volunteering on an archaeological dig just a short walk from the campsite. The dig was organised by the National Trust for Scotland, along with the University of Glasgow. I saw the advert on Facebook and immediately signed up.

I have never done a dig before, but Ellen, my daughter, has been involved in a few through her work at the National Trust, and I thought it would be a very nice way of spending one of my days off.

The dig was at a site that has been excavated before, the previous ones being the basis for the recreation of the 17th century turf house that is now at the visitor centre.

We were quite lucky with the weather, although rain was forecast all day it was only light, though we did get very muddy!

Our dig took place over two days, and on my day there were about 10 volunteers and 8 staff. The introduction was really interesting, talking about all the small settlements up this valley, and what happened to the area in the late 1600s.

We were digging in the garden area of the previously excavated cottages. There were 10 trenches excavated, and there were a few interesting finds, mainly pottery fragments.  Sadly not in our trench, but we did find evidence of a fire, so that may have been another smaller dwelling as there were a lot of stones around the charcoal deposits.

This was our trench after we had been working on it for a while.

And this is how it ended up.

The finds box from the previous day had all been labelled, but this was found in the next trench to ours.

These two pictures are from the Glencoe Folk Museum’s Facebook Post about the dig and show the most exciting find, the top of a pottery bottle.

It is fascinating to think about the people who lived here looking up at this same view, watching the clouds change as I do now. The fact that they probably never moved far from where their homes were all their lives, such a contrast to my life.

It was brilliant meeting the other volunteers as well, I was working with a woman who moved to Scotland a few years ago from Somerset, and now works for Nature Scotland.  It was nice to spend time chatting about starting over and making new lives, and we both agreed that Scotland is magical!

It was really good to get to know more about the history of the area as well. Not much survives in terms of architecture. There are a few older cottages in Glencoe, such as the ones below, but most are modern buildings.  After the Highland Clearances the main centre of population here was Ballachulish, because of the slate mine.

A fascinating way to spend my day off and something I would love to do again if I get the chance.

We have had another really hot spell, thankfully there is cooler weather now, as we are really full again, which means lots of running around the campsite,  not good in 28 degrees! 

I am not sure yet of plans for next week, I would like to go further west, but that is weather dependent.  Meanwhile I am having a crafting day today after a little woodland walk by the River Coe to Invercoe yesterday.

Hope you are having fun whatever you are doing, take care and thanks for visiting.