The Giant Grave Dig is commencing today, Sunday the 3rd of September. We will be posting updates of the timetable of work, which is subject to weather.
Please see information below on how you can get involved.
Daily Updates:
Sunday 3rd Update from Doc Holliday : I have talked to Heather. They did a topography survey yesterday to accurately map the lie of the ground. Today they are intending to start the geophysics survey at 0930 despite the weather. All are welcome to come, but it might be quite tough! They may retire to the Lodge later in the morning for coffee! There will be a chance when the weather is better later in the week, to use the equipment yourselves. John
Further Information:
Final preparations are under way for the arrival of Dr Heather James, Dr Colleen Batey and their team this weekend. Our project is to open up the mound at Cnoc an Fhoimheir ‘the hillock of the giant’ to discover who or what lies underneath. All that we know about the site points to a prehistoric burial, but the experience of ‘ground truth’ excavations is that you often find the unexpected – or nothing!
The work starts this Sunday 3 September with a painstaking geophysical survey of the area, followed by a roll-back of the turf probably on Tuesday. The timetable depends heavily on the weather and what we find. We will keep you updated by posting daily information on the Trust Website, look out for information in the ‘News’ section which is included on the front page at www.tireetrust.org.uk, updates will also be included on various social media including Facebay Tiree. If you are unable to access the interest then you can call the office on 220 074 and speak to Donna.
This is a community dig, largely funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund. We need your help! You can be on your hands and knees in the wind and rain for two weeks, or pop up the track to Lodge Farm when you are passing. Everyone will be welcome and shown around the site. We are grateful to the crofter, Fiona MacKinnon, and Argyll Estates for permission to carry out this investigation into Tiree’s deep past.
Dr John Holliday
220385
