Cultural Heritage and Archaeology Project (CHAP)

This multi-facetted project aimed at helping local volunteers to develop heritage skills and at celebrating the area’s unique stories.

We worked with DigVentures to deliver training in archaeological and heritage skills to the local community via free online and in-person workshops.

The project also included archaeological investigation: thanks to the hard work of local volunteers from Ardrossan Castle Heritage Society and the team at Rathmell Archaeology, we had two successful digs at Ardrossan Castle in 2019. One of these was the first modern excavation within the scheduled monument of the castle itself. Analysis of the findings from this work is providing new and fascinating insights into the history of Castle Hill.  These were so successful that further test pits were dug in 2022 as part of the summer of celebration with a bioblitz happening at the same time to which anyone could sign up to attend - great success!

3D models of the excavation trenches, and of the castle itself, which were created by Liam from Rathmell Archaeology can be viewed on Sketchfab.

Garnock Connections, in partnership with DigVentures, also set out to find out more about Glengarnock Castle’s history. A ‘test dig’ was first organised in 2021 to explore the extent of the castle’s ruins. This involved the use of various techniques, including excavation, aerial photography, and historic building survey techniques. This was followed, in 2022, by another dig focused on mapping the original layout of the castle, and recovering evidence that can help build up a chronology of the site. Local residents were invited to join the dig and were provided with on-site training on how to excavate, recognise new archaeological layers, identify finds, and record discoveries.

To learn more about the Glengarnock dig, watch the recording of the 'live tour': follow Ginny on a guided tour around the ruins and watch as new discoveries emerge from the archaeological dig:

CHAP was part funded by a grant from the Historic Environment Scotland Archaeology Programme.