Project Aims

Who We Are
The overall aim of the Glenshee Archaeology Project is to uncover some the story of prehistoric and early historic life in the glen, and to share this with residents and visitors. While the initial thrust of the project is concerned with the so-called 'Pitcarmick' style buildings in the uplands around the glen, we are also exploring related features of the wider landscape, such as clearance cairns, trackways and boundaries.

The Pitcarmick buildings are stone/turf and timber longhouses of the late first millennium, and were first identified in the uplands of north-east Perthshire in the late 1980's (RCAHMS 1990). Their date, function and relationship to other archaeological sites remains poorly understood, as very few have been excavated, the notable exception being the site in Strathardle (Carver et al 2013) from which the group takes its name.
A Pitcarmick style building in Glenshee. Snow cover surrounding the building helps to highlight the walls.
Traditional turf and stone built buildings at Newtonmore Folk Museum.
Reconstruction and cross-section through the longhouse excavated by the project team at Lair. Illustration by Alan Braby.
The site-type is important as early medieval buildings are rarely found elsewhere in Scotland, with the exception of Viking settlement in the Outer Isles (ScARF 2010). Like Pitcarmick, the Lair site comprises a relatively dispersed settlement of long-houses around an earlier prehistoric settlement (itself consisting of round houses of probable late Bronze Age or possibly Iron Age date). These are all set around a ring-cairn of probable earlier Bronze Age date.
A reconstruction of the longhouse and cairn excavated at Lair. Illustration by Alan Braby.
Further reading:
  • RCAHMS 1990 North-east Perth: an archaeological landscape. Edinburgh.
  • Carver, Barrett, Downes and Hooper, M. J. J. & J. 2013 'Pictish Byre Houses at Pitcarmick and their Landscape: investigations 1993-5’ Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol 142, 2012, 145-200 .
  • ScARF 2010 Medieval Panel Draft Workshop Document, 20 : http://www.scottishheritagehub.com/

Funders 2012-2016
Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust was established in 1988 and is both a registered Scottish Charity (SC003139) and a company, limited by guarantee (Company No. 111258). The Trust aims to provide and promote high quality opportunities for the conservation, enhancement and promotion of the historic environment of Perth and Kinross and archives this through a variety of ways including projects, grants, outreach events, publications and through the provision of advice and information.

Northlight Heritage was founded in 2011 to extend York Archaeological Trust (YAT) into Scotland and is a registered Scottish Charity (SC42846) and company, limited by guarantee (Company No. 1430801). YAT is renowned for JORVIK, and was established in 1972 to investigate the past for the benefit of present communities and future generations. Northlight Heritage provides consultancy and fieldwork services in archaeology and the historic environment across Scotland. As a charity we also promote and provide public benefits through archaeology and heritage engagement with the projects we run.