SCAPE
@coastarch.bsky.social
SCAPE works with the public to research, investigate, interpret and promote the archaeology of Scotland’s coast. https://scapetrust.org/
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SCAPE
@coastarch.bsky.social
· Dec 18
The award-winning SCAPE Trust is a Registered Charity and a Company established in 2001. We work with the public on the archaeology, history and past environments of the coastal zone of Scotland.
scapetrust.org/who-we-are/
scapetrust.org/who-we-are/
Happy New Year from all of us at SCAPE!
Thank you to our volunteers, followers, partners and funders for all your support in 2025.
We look forward to seeing you as we survey Scotland's coast in 2026...
#coastarch #hessupported #scotarchstrat
Thank you to our volunteers, followers, partners and funders for all your support in 2025.
We look forward to seeing you as we survey Scotland's coast in 2026...
#coastarch #hessupported #scotarchstrat
January 1, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Happy New Year from all of us at SCAPE!
Thank you to our volunteers, followers, partners and funders for all your support in 2025.
We look forward to seeing you as we survey Scotland's coast in 2026...
#coastarch #hessupported #scotarchstrat
Thank you to our volunteers, followers, partners and funders for all your support in 2025.
We look forward to seeing you as we survey Scotland's coast in 2026...
#coastarch #hessupported #scotarchstrat
#5- our final pick in our highlights of 2025 - the discovery of a photo archive of Zulu herring drifters at Findorn linked to the fishing boat graveyard we investigated with Findhorn Heritage in 2015.
This stunning set of stereoscopic glass plates show them on the shore in 1917.
This stunning set of stereoscopic glass plates show them on the shore in 1917.
December 24, 2025 at 1:14 PM
#5- our final pick in our highlights of 2025 - the discovery of a photo archive of Zulu herring drifters at Findorn linked to the fishing boat graveyard we investigated with Findhorn Heritage in 2015.
This stunning set of stereoscopic glass plates show them on the shore in 1917.
This stunning set of stereoscopic glass plates show them on the shore in 1917.
#4 of our #Top5 2025 - A new date for Newark, Sanday.
Fish, whale & dolphin bone, recorded here over many years, suggested a specialised fish processing site.
In early 2025 Storm Éowyn exposed stone buildings buried in sand. We sampled fish bone for radiocarbon dating. The result? ...
Fish, whale & dolphin bone, recorded here over many years, suggested a specialised fish processing site.
In early 2025 Storm Éowyn exposed stone buildings buried in sand. We sampled fish bone for radiocarbon dating. The result? ...
December 23, 2025 at 7:45 PM
#4 of our #Top5 2025 - A new date for Newark, Sanday.
Fish, whale & dolphin bone, recorded here over many years, suggested a specialised fish processing site.
In early 2025 Storm Éowyn exposed stone buildings buried in sand. We sampled fish bone for radiocarbon dating. The result? ...
Fish, whale & dolphin bone, recorded here over many years, suggested a specialised fish processing site.
In early 2025 Storm Éowyn exposed stone buildings buried in sand. We sampled fish bone for radiocarbon dating. The result? ...
At #3 a newly identified Rocket Pole, Ness of Duncansby, Caithness
Invented in the mid-1800s a mobile rocket apparatus fired a line to a ship in distress. A harness was attached to carry passengers&crew to safety.
Rocket poles stood in for the ships mast in practice drills- very few survive!
Invented in the mid-1800s a mobile rocket apparatus fired a line to a ship in distress. A harness was attached to carry passengers&crew to safety.
Rocket poles stood in for the ships mast in practice drills- very few survive!
December 22, 2025 at 4:37 PM
At #3 a newly identified Rocket Pole, Ness of Duncansby, Caithness
Invented in the mid-1800s a mobile rocket apparatus fired a line to a ship in distress. A harness was attached to carry passengers&crew to safety.
Rocket poles stood in for the ships mast in practice drills- very few survive!
Invented in the mid-1800s a mobile rocket apparatus fired a line to a ship in distress. A harness was attached to carry passengers&crew to safety.
Rocket poles stood in for the ships mast in practice drills- very few survive!
#2 of our 2025 highlights - coming face to face with history revealed in eroding coast edges…
As the sea cuts into the land, it reveals layers of past human activity, like layers of a cake, revealing glimpses of past events. Here’s a few favourites from the Yell and Dornoch surveys.
#coastarch
As the sea cuts into the land, it reveals layers of past human activity, like layers of a cake, revealing glimpses of past events. Here’s a few favourites from the Yell and Dornoch surveys.
#coastarch
December 21, 2025 at 8:00 PM
#2 of our 2025 highlights - coming face to face with history revealed in eroding coast edges…
As the sea cuts into the land, it reveals layers of past human activity, like layers of a cake, revealing glimpses of past events. Here’s a few favourites from the Yell and Dornoch surveys.
#coastarch
As the sea cuts into the land, it reveals layers of past human activity, like layers of a cake, revealing glimpses of past events. Here’s a few favourites from the Yell and Dornoch surveys.
#coastarch
We’ve had an amazing year of fieldwork - here’s our #Top5 2025 highlights:
Pick #1 Broch of Burland, Shetland mainland.
It looks spectacular from the air and like many on Shetland, is in a highly defended location - bounded by the sea on three sides and with massive banks and ditches.
Pick #1 Broch of Burland, Shetland mainland.
It looks spectacular from the air and like many on Shetland, is in a highly defended location - bounded by the sea on three sides and with massive banks and ditches.
December 20, 2025 at 9:53 PM
We’ve had an amazing year of fieldwork - here’s our #Top5 2025 highlights:
Pick #1 Broch of Burland, Shetland mainland.
It looks spectacular from the air and like many on Shetland, is in a highly defended location - bounded by the sea on three sides and with massive banks and ditches.
Pick #1 Broch of Burland, Shetland mainland.
It looks spectacular from the air and like many on Shetland, is in a highly defended location - bounded by the sea on three sides and with massive banks and ditches.
Gletness made it into the Top 5 archaeological discoveries of 2025!
Thanks to our collaborators and volunteers @archshet.bsky.social - we had a great time!
Thanks to our collaborators and volunteers @archshet.bsky.social - we had a great time!
Our Gletness dig made the top five! Thank you to everyone involved, including our lovely colleagues at @coastarch.bsky.social and the endlessly welcoming Jenny and Andy at Gletness.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2570333...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2570333...
Romans, feasts and a 'magic' amulet: Scotland's top 5 archaeological finds revealed
The finds span 5,000 years - and shed new light on the distant past
www.heraldscotland.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Gletness made it into the Top 5 archaeological discoveries of 2025!
Thanks to our collaborators and volunteers @archshet.bsky.social - we had a great time!
Thanks to our collaborators and volunteers @archshet.bsky.social - we had a great time!
The strong winds of Storm Bram coincided with high tides, potentially causing coastal erosion. When it’s safe you can help monitor changes by reporting any damage you see. Use Dynamic Coast's new Coastal Erosion Reporter tool at www.DynamicCoast.com
Thank you!
#stormbram #coastarch #hessupported
Thank you!
#stormbram #coastarch #hessupported
December 10, 2025 at 12:33 PM
The strong winds of Storm Bram coincided with high tides, potentially causing coastal erosion. When it’s safe you can help monitor changes by reporting any damage you see. Use Dynamic Coast's new Coastal Erosion Reporter tool at www.DynamicCoast.com
Thank you!
#stormbram #coastarch #hessupported
Thank you!
#stormbram #coastarch #hessupported
Reposted by SCAPE
In 2018, @coastarch.bsky.social raced against the tide to investigate a submerged prehistoric forest on a beach in Na h-Eileanan Siar (the Outer Hebrides) 🌳
It's one of the many sites in Scotland that are under threat from erosion and rising sea levels: www.digitscotland.com/how-to-help-...
It's one of the many sites in Scotland that are under threat from erosion and rising sea levels: www.digitscotland.com/how-to-help-...
December 5, 2025 at 3:46 PM
In 2018, @coastarch.bsky.social raced against the tide to investigate a submerged prehistoric forest on a beach in Na h-Eileanan Siar (the Outer Hebrides) 🌳
It's one of the many sites in Scotland that are under threat from erosion and rising sea levels: www.digitscotland.com/how-to-help-...
It's one of the many sites in Scotland that are under threat from erosion and rising sea levels: www.digitscotland.com/how-to-help-...
The Dornoch Firth Coastal Survey (Mar/Apr2025) Report is out! Highlights: a monumental fish trap, Bonar bridge coastal engineering, & a wonderful discovery of zulu sailing drifter. Download here: scapetrust.org/wp-content/u...
#coastarch #scotarchstrat #hessupported
#coastarch #scotarchstrat #hessupported
October 24, 2025 at 3:18 PM
The Dornoch Firth Coastal Survey (Mar/Apr2025) Report is out! Highlights: a monumental fish trap, Bonar bridge coastal engineering, & a wonderful discovery of zulu sailing drifter. Download here: scapetrust.org/wp-content/u...
#coastarch #scotarchstrat #hessupported
#coastarch #scotarchstrat #hessupported
Gletness Excavation Report is out!
In May, SCAPE & Archaeology Shetland excavated an eroding Middle-Late Iron Age settlement & a Bronze Age burnt mound.
Short visit, big archaeology.
Download the Report: scapetrust.org/wp-content/u...
@archshet.bsky.social
#coastarch #CoastalHeritage #hessupported
In May, SCAPE & Archaeology Shetland excavated an eroding Middle-Late Iron Age settlement & a Bronze Age burnt mound.
Short visit, big archaeology.
Download the Report: scapetrust.org/wp-content/u...
@archshet.bsky.social
#coastarch #CoastalHeritage #hessupported
September 30, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Gletness Excavation Report is out!
In May, SCAPE & Archaeology Shetland excavated an eroding Middle-Late Iron Age settlement & a Bronze Age burnt mound.
Short visit, big archaeology.
Download the Report: scapetrust.org/wp-content/u...
@archshet.bsky.social
#coastarch #CoastalHeritage #hessupported
In May, SCAPE & Archaeology Shetland excavated an eroding Middle-Late Iron Age settlement & a Bronze Age burnt mound.
Short visit, big archaeology.
Download the Report: scapetrust.org/wp-content/u...
@archshet.bsky.social
#coastarch #CoastalHeritage #hessupported
A mystery solved. . .
Back in May, we asked for help identifying a wreck in Sandladie Voe, West Sandwick. Amazingly, someone gave us a possible name: Candace.
#hessupported #shetlandwreck
Back in May, we asked for help identifying a wreck in Sandladie Voe, West Sandwick. Amazingly, someone gave us a possible name: Candace.
#hessupported #shetlandwreck
September 19, 2025 at 12:05 PM
A mystery solved. . .
Back in May, we asked for help identifying a wreck in Sandladie Voe, West Sandwick. Amazingly, someone gave us a possible name: Candace.
#hessupported #shetlandwreck
Back in May, we asked for help identifying a wreck in Sandladie Voe, West Sandwick. Amazingly, someone gave us a possible name: Candace.
#hessupported #shetlandwreck
Join us on the latest Walk of Discovery in North Yell, Shetland.
First up is the broch at Fillacomb point, not much to see except the faint outer traces of the bank. The coastline is exposed to the high energy of the North Atlantic Ocean battering against the rock (1/4)...
First up is the broch at Fillacomb point, not much to see except the faint outer traces of the bank. The coastline is exposed to the high energy of the North Atlantic Ocean battering against the rock (1/4)...
September 8, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Join us on the latest Walk of Discovery in North Yell, Shetland.
First up is the broch at Fillacomb point, not much to see except the faint outer traces of the bank. The coastline is exposed to the high energy of the North Atlantic Ocean battering against the rock (1/4)...
First up is the broch at Fillacomb point, not much to see except the faint outer traces of the bank. The coastline is exposed to the high energy of the North Atlantic Ocean battering against the rock (1/4)...
Tovakuddas are coastal rock pools and clefts used by Shetlanders between the 12th to 17th century to shrink or waulk 'Wadmal' - a handwoven wool cloth. The cloth was secured in these protective pools and the motion of the sea strengthened and thickened it... (1/3)
#tovakudda #hessupported
#tovakudda #hessupported
August 8, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Tovakuddas are coastal rock pools and clefts used by Shetlanders between the 12th to 17th century to shrink or waulk 'Wadmal' - a handwoven wool cloth. The cloth was secured in these protective pools and the motion of the sea strengthened and thickened it... (1/3)
#tovakudda #hessupported
#tovakudda #hessupported
This remarkable site at Sands of Breckon, Yell, is revealing layers of history. Coastal processes have exposed prehistoric houses and burial cairns.
@archshet.bsky.social @standrewshist.bsky.social
#HESsupported #coastarch #scotarchstrat
@archshet.bsky.social @standrewshist.bsky.social
#HESsupported #coastarch #scotarchstrat
August 1, 2025 at 7:53 PM
This remarkable site at Sands of Breckon, Yell, is revealing layers of history. Coastal processes have exposed prehistoric houses and burial cairns.
@archshet.bsky.social @standrewshist.bsky.social
#HESsupported #coastarch #scotarchstrat
@archshet.bsky.social @standrewshist.bsky.social
#HESsupported #coastarch #scotarchstrat
Our excavation at Gletness in Shetland with @archshet.bsky.social revealed the heat-shattered stones of a burnt mound, a beautiful, manly limestone paved area, and excitingly, the closing slabs at the top of subterranean corbelled structure - possibly the roof of a Bronze Age well! #hessupported
July 10, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Our excavation at Gletness in Shetland with @archshet.bsky.social revealed the heat-shattered stones of a burnt mound, a beautiful, manly limestone paved area, and excitingly, the closing slabs at the top of subterranean corbelled structure - possibly the roof of a Bronze Age well! #hessupported
Sand layer from a possible tsunami 1500 years ago. A penny road built as a famine relief project in the 1840-50s. Eroding prehistoric settlement and a giant noost! Just a few highlights from the June survey in Yell. Huge thanks to everyone. Yell is a very special place. We had a wonderful time.
June 12, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Sand layer from a possible tsunami 1500 years ago. A penny road built as a famine relief project in the 1840-50s. Eroding prehistoric settlement and a giant noost! Just a few highlights from the June survey in Yell. Huge thanks to everyone. Yell is a very special place. We had a wonderful time.
What progress over just 4 days with the amazing @archshet.bsky.social on the Gletness dig. One or more big Iron Age buildings and a Bronze Age burnt mound. Done and dusted for now. Thank you everyone!
#HESSupported #coastarch #ScotArchStrat
#HESSupported #coastarch #ScotArchStrat
June 3, 2025 at 8:30 PM
What progress over just 4 days with the amazing @archshet.bsky.social on the Gletness dig. One or more big Iron Age buildings and a Bronze Age burnt mound. Done and dusted for now. Thank you everyone!
#HESSupported #coastarch #ScotArchStrat
#HESSupported #coastarch #ScotArchStrat
Reposted by SCAPE
Gletness Day 2 with @coastarch.bsky.social
May 31, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Gletness Day 2 with @coastarch.bsky.social
Excellent first day with @archshet.bsky.social on the Gletness dig. Thank you everyone!
#HESSupported #coastarch #ScotArchStrat
#HESSupported #coastarch #ScotArchStrat
May 30, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Excellent first day with @archshet.bsky.social on the Gletness dig. Thank you everyone!
#HESSupported #coastarch #ScotArchStrat
#HESSupported #coastarch #ScotArchStrat
You can’t do a coastal survey in Shetland without encountering brochs. These epic monuments of the Iron Age never fail to impress and interest us. What's your favourite Shetland broch?
#hessupported #coastarch #scotarchstrat
#hessupported #coastarch #scotarchstrat
May 28, 2025 at 10:05 PM
You can’t do a coastal survey in Shetland without encountering brochs. These epic monuments of the Iron Age never fail to impress and interest us. What's your favourite Shetland broch?
#hessupported #coastarch #scotarchstrat
#hessupported #coastarch #scotarchstrat
You never know what’s round the corner. This re-used saddle quern hints of a nearby prehistoric site - and sure enough - a few paces further, an Iron Age settlement is revealed in the eroding section. We look forward to returning to Yell in June for more!
#hessupported #coastarch #scotarchstrat
#hessupported #coastarch #scotarchstrat
May 25, 2025 at 10:02 PM
You never know what’s round the corner. This re-used saddle quern hints of a nearby prehistoric site - and sure enough - a few paces further, an Iron Age settlement is revealed in the eroding section. We look forward to returning to Yell in June for more!
#hessupported #coastarch #scotarchstrat
#hessupported #coastarch #scotarchstrat
Shetland horizontal mills - used for a 1000 years - now mostly ruinous. You will find them alone or in groups, like these examples in North Yell. An intact working example survives at the Crofthouse Museum in Dunrossness which you can visit! #hessupported #coastarch #scotarchstrat
May 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Shetland horizontal mills - used for a 1000 years - now mostly ruinous. You will find them alone or in groups, like these examples in North Yell. An intact working example survives at the Crofthouse Museum in Dunrossness which you can visit! #hessupported #coastarch #scotarchstrat
Building of the day - a ruinous Böd – (store with accommodation associated with commercial fishing) on the shore at Lindburn, West Yell.
We'd love to know more about the history of this interesting building!
#hessupported #scotarchstrat #coastarch
We'd love to know more about the history of this interesting building!
#hessupported #scotarchstrat #coastarch
May 20, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Building of the day - a ruinous Böd – (store with accommodation associated with commercial fishing) on the shore at Lindburn, West Yell.
We'd love to know more about the history of this interesting building!
#hessupported #scotarchstrat #coastarch
We'd love to know more about the history of this interesting building!
#hessupported #scotarchstrat #coastarch
Looking forward to heading up to the beautiful island of Yell, Shetland for coastal surveys with the community 20-24 May and 4-6 June. Join us as we explore this historic coast or get in touch with your knowledge of Yell’s coastal heritage and coastal change #Coastarch #Hessupported #ScotArchStrat
May 15, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Looking forward to heading up to the beautiful island of Yell, Shetland for coastal surveys with the community 20-24 May and 4-6 June. Join us as we explore this historic coast or get in touch with your knowledge of Yell’s coastal heritage and coastal change #Coastarch #Hessupported #ScotArchStrat