27past horizons Archaeology Scotland's Adopt- a- Monument Scheme has been running since August 2006 ( re- launched due to popular demand after a series of projects in the early 1990s) and is supporting 11 volunteer groups across Scotland. Each project brings its own unique challenges and has been a rollercoaster experience, both for participating groups and for me, as Adopt- a- Monument officer. The principle idea is simple; the scheme provides a supporting framework for societies who wish to do something active to care for local sites and monuments. There are plenty of communities already doing this all over Scotland, but many more would like to be steered in the right direction to get started. There are thousands of archaeological sites and monuments across Scotland. Some of these are in the custodianship of Historic Scotland. Over 8000 are protected under the Schedule of Ancient Monuments and this number is increasing. Other bodies, including the National Trust for Scotland and local authorities, also contribute to the management and interpretation of Scotland's heritage. Despite this, many sites across the country remain in need of help. They may be at risk of vandalism, dilapidation and collapse, or are simply vanishing into obscurity under a blanket of vegetation. Furthermore, a wealth of sites are well- managed but lack interpretive information to explain their importance and possible meanings to visitors. Other sites are fabulous and really worth a visit, yet are almost impossible to get to. There are plenty of energetic and committed people with a desire to conserve and promote these sites, and Adopt- a- Monument offers some of the building blocks that help feasible projects to become established. We facilitate a sort of mutual back- scratching between community group and monuments; the community benefits Monument What's it all about? by helen bradley continued ? ? Scolpaig Tower, North Uist. Access Archaeology has adopted this Georgian folly with a view to interpreting and conserving the building. ( Copyright James Gentles Remote Camera Ltd.) Cowal Archaeological Society is managing sites along the Ardnadam Heritage Trail ( an original Adopt- a- Monument project from the early 90s) with help from the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.

past horizons28 from new experiences and skills ( and, on a good day, has a lot of fun) and the chosen monument gets the help it needs. Deciding to take on the responsibility for caring for a site can be extremely rewarding, but it can also be difficult and complicated, given the minefield of legislation, permissions and funding that must be negotiated. This is where Adopt- a- Monument steps in. We also advocate a ' lightness of touch', helping to ensure that interpretation or access works are unobtrusive and reversible, and that conservation works are sensitively planned and implemented. Adopt- a- Monument tries not to impose value judgements on the communities we support, and prefers to hear from the public which heritage sites are important to them. Projects range, then, from the modest to the truly monumental, with 11 active ones spread across Scotland from Shetland to Arran and Harris to the Borders. Projects follow the same basic structure, which we have developed during the last two years and are continuing to improve upon as participating groups give feedback on their experiences. The first step is to get together with the group and help them to identify what the site needs, whether it is further survey or research, conservation, access or interpretation, perhaps all of these. We then devise a project plan, putting the group in touch with everyone they need to consult including landowners and land managers. We support the identification of, and application to, funders and statutory bodies, as well as helping out with the details of health and safety, insurance and project promotion. what shape do these projects take? Rubh ' An Teampull, Northon, Harris. Harris Archaeology Group is working to consolidate and interpret the ruins of this Mediaeval chapel. Cromar History Group has adopted these Victorian lined mineral springs which were swamped with Rhododendron and decades of leaf litter. The original culverts draining the wells have been excavated and restored, and a waymarked route established from the nearby village of Logie Coldstone. A new bridge has been put in place and a leaflet is available to tell the story of the site. Coldingham Priory Community Garden: local school children have fun learning about metal detecting and geophysical survey as part of a project to develop and conserve the grounds of this Benedictine priory ( The Friends of Coldingham Priory).