Public Urged to Search the Shore and Share their Stories in Western Isles

11 October 2011

Fishermen, beachcombers, divers and local people in the Western Isles are being urged to report anything unusual they’ve spotted at the shoreline or under the sea to a new archaeological project, launched this week.

The project – a partnership between RCAHMS, WA Coastal & Marine, Historic Scotland and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar – is searching for the prehistoric and historic remains of the coastal and marine areas of the Outer Hebrides.

Rising sea levels and coastal erosion make the search for previously undiscovered archaeology in the Western Isles a priority, as there is always the real danger that it could be lost for good. 

A key feature of the project is getting local people involved in sharing their knowledge of potential sites of archaeological remains and involving them in research work.

The team hopes to make some discoveries of previously unknown sites as a direct result of 'tip-offs' from the local community.