The Dalriada Project is a Heritage Lottery supported partnership agreement which aims to protect and restore Mid Argyll’s natural and cultural assets for the benefit of residents and visitors  For more information on the project go to: http://www.dalriadaproject.org/

Kilmartin House Museum is an active partner in the Dalriada Project and is managing a project called Exploring the Archaeological Landscape on its behalf.

Over the last three years we have excavated at three archaeological sites, and field survyed on two farms. More than 40 volunteers took part, and they had such a good time, that we are planning more projects for the future!  From our point of view, the projects have been great as we have found literally hundreds more archaeological features in the landscape (including more rock art and a possible cairn), and have detailed information about the four sites we excavated.  You can read more about the results of the projects below.  The next phase is post-excavation - so all the finds have to be washed, catalogued and analysed, samples sent to specialists, carbon sent for dating and so on. More results will be posted here.

Find out more about our 2010 temporary exhibition "Dalriada - Digs and Discoveries" here

Current Dalriada Archaeology Projects:  

Ormaig Rock Art
Surveys
Kilmory Oib
Balure Dun

Volunteers' voices:

“To walk and work where the ancients started to carve the future Scotland those thousands of years ago.  Indeed, to see and recover the very tools and talismans that they used.  There is the reason for our great satisfaction and reward!”

“It's great to work alongside professional archaeologists and be made to feel like you are making a valid contribution to a real project that is making new discoveries. I also feel privileged to be given the opportunity to dig some of the same earth, touch the same stones and face the same stunning scenery as some of the earliest people living in and near Kilmartin Glen. What magic...”

“Volunteering with the Dalriada project's been amazing on all sorts of levels.  It's been great to work as part of a team where everyone's contribution adds to the bigger picture.  It's been an opportunity to not only  learn about the process and the finds from the professionals, but also to be able to discuss (or argue?) about their interpretation……  There's no feeling in the world to beat what it's like to see or touch something that no one else has touched for hundreds, or even thousands of years.  Learning more about archaeology's changed the way I look at the landscape - it's impossible to just go for a walk anymore, when every lump and bump might have a story to tell!”

“What an amazing experience to go out and actually find new stuff – cairns, rock art and even houses just waiting to be discovered…"

“We had a great time, even in the snow!”

“To actually have a chance to dig on a real archaeological site has been totally incredible.  It’s something I have always dreamed about and Kilmartin House Museum gave me the chance for a dream to come true – thank you!”

“I found a piece of pottery – wow!”

“Our graveyards are a collective memorial for all those who have passed, and a living heritage for those of us here today.  It’s really important that we look after them, not only for us, but for future generations.” 

"Digging was great fun – a real feeling of camaraderie as we all got wet and muddy!  And the excitement when someone called out “I’ve found something” was amazing."