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coastarch.bsky.social
SCAPE
@coastarch.bsky.social
430 followers 360 following 58 posts
SCAPE works with the public to research, investigate, interpret and promote the archaeology of Scotland’s coast. https://scapetrust.org/
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coastarch.bsky.social
...Bonus pictures of the zulu, a rare example of a wooden sailing drifter
October 24, 2025 at 3:22 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
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
October 24, 2025 at 3:18 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
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
Aerial image of the excavation trenches Prehistoric buildings exposed by coastal erosion
September 30, 2025 at 7:32 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
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
September 19, 2025 at 12:05 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
(3/4) At the north end of Sands of Breckon beach sea erosion and dune blowouts have exposed layers of sand and fine gravel in the coastal section. This reflects natural dynamics of a beach system, but due to the archaeology so close by, these dunes should be monitored for any changes.
Eroding beach section at Sads of Breckon
September 8, 2025 at 3:35 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
(2/4) The house at Toft was occupied in 1877 and is now partly buried in sand, with traces of walls disappearing into the dunes - evidence of how quickly sand can overwhelm a place and make it impossible to live in.
Toft house and enclosure wall in the sand dunes
September 8, 2025 at 3:33 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
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)...
broch outer works at the edge of a cliff
September 8, 2025 at 3:31 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
Here are two from our Shetland survey - a shallow trough type "Devakoddi" at Gletness, Mainland and a cleft type at Cruness, Breckon, Yell. Difficult to see at first, once you get your eye in to the enclosed space and gentle waves, these understated sites are rather special! (2/3)
August 8, 2025 at 5:57 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
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
August 8, 2025 at 5:54 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
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
August 1, 2025 at 7:53 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
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
A corbelled stone structure continues beneath the visible closing slabs. An area of paving may have been a passageway or cell in the burnt mound complex, and is covered by dumps of hearth waste (peat ash, burnt clay and charcoal) suggesting the hearth area is close by. Fire-cracked stones form the burnt mound, which surrounds the main activity area.
July 10, 2025 at 4:34 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
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
coastarch.bsky.social
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
June 3, 2025 at 8:30 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
Excellent first day with @archshet.bsky.social on the Gletness dig. Thank you everyone!

#HESSupported #coastarch #ScotArchStrat
May 30, 2025 at 8:52 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
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
May 28, 2025 at 10:05 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
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
May 25, 2025 at 10:02 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
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
Breckon Mill Breckon Mill Toft mill was described as a stone box built over the burn. It went out of use by the 1870s. Toft Mill
May 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
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
May 20, 2025 at 9:59 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
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
coastarch.bsky.social
If you encounter a monumental erratic like these ones
at Roy’s Bay, Portmahomack, check if it's named on the historic OS map. Named rocks serve as landmarks for navigation and are often associated with local stories. They blur the lines between natural & cultural heritage.
#HESSupported #CoastArch
April 22, 2025 at 4:21 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
We had a great time on the Dornoch Firth over the last few days, discovering and recording the area's rich maritime heritage and sharing knowledge with enthusiastic local volunteers. Thanks to everyone who came out and helped with the survey! #CoastArch #HESSupported #ScotArchStrat
A massive, bleached white Sperm Whale skull rests on the rocky shore north of Portmahomack, having washed ashore years ago. A person stands behind it, highlighting its enormous size. Surrounding the skull are scattered stones and calm waters. Volunteers at the end of a hard day. Five people stand beside a railway arch, each holding a red and white ranging rod, with brown bracken and bare trees surrounding them. A misty picture of six people standing on a beach with several pools of water and the shore in the distance. In front, there are three seaweed-covered stones and a ranging pole marking the site of a supposed holy well. Tarbat Ness Lighthouse, built in 1830 by Robert Stevenson, stands tall with its red and white stripes at the tip of Tarbat Ness. Powerful North Sea waves crash against the eroding red sandstone cliffs surrounding the headland. Above, a bright blue sky is dotted with fluffy white clouds.
March 12, 2025 at 2:09 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
We had a cracking first day on our Dornoch Firth Survey, exploring the Rubha nan Sgarbh headland, which, according to the farmer Mr Simpson, means Point of the Cormorant - a place name with Gaelic and Norse elements. Thanks to the volunteers & Mr Simpson for his knowledge. #CoastArch #HESSupported
A group of five SCAPE volunteers stand next to an old, ruined fishing boat on the foreshore of the Dornoch Firth. A group of five SCAPE volunteers set off for a walk along the foreshore of the Dornoch Firth. Blue skies and sunshine on an early spring morning.
March 7, 2025 at 5:10 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
Our first coastal survey of the year will be along the southern coast of the Dornoch Firth! Join us March 7–10 & April 5–7 as we explore this historic shoreline or get in touch with your insights on the area's coastal heritage & knowledge of coastal change. #CoastArch #HESSupported #ScotArchStrat
February 28, 2025 at 3:55 PM
coastarch.bsky.social
Tidal swimming pools around the coast of Scotland have long been in decline, but recent interest in wild swimming has led communities to see the benefits and value of these historic pools. Thanks to groups in places like Cellardyke and Pittenweem in Fife, many pools have been revitalised. #CoatArch
Opened in May 1936 the Portobello Lido had the first open air wave machine, and its water was heated from the adjacent power station. It was closed in 1979 and demolished in 1988. Copyright undetermined. Image courtesy of University of St Andrews Library. Cellardyke pool or “the Bathie” as it was known locally was opened in June 1933. In 2019 a group of local people formed the Cellardyke Tidal Pool Ltd so that they could restore and regenerate the pool, which was completed in 2024. The remains of the base of the diving board can still be seen at the pool at Cellardyke. The board and a chute were installed in 1934. Part of the pool had to be deepened to accommodate them - achieved by blasting the bedrock with dynamite! The Pittenweem tidal swimming pool has a rich history, with references dating back to 1895. However, the pool took its current shape during its 1950s heyday. After a period of decline, the pool was revitalized and reopened in 2021 as part of the West Braes Project, a community-led initiative aimed at rejuvenating the area.
January 31, 2025 at 10:42 AM
coastarch.bsky.social
This ruin at Strond, Isle of Harris, holds a rich history. Home to the Paisley Sisters, Marion & Christine Macleod, it’s where the first documented sale of Harris Tweed occurred in 1864. Trained in Paisley, they first spun the Murray tartan for Lady Dunmore, whose patronage helped popularise #Tweed.
The inauspicious remains of the building lie close to the shore, and some erosion can be seen on the south side (left-hand side of the picture) of the building. The small building would have served as their shop, with easy access to the shore and passing ships. Sitting just above the shore, the building is at risk from coastal erosion. A plaque can be seen next to the building explaining the history.
January 24, 2025 at 4:14 PM