In 2022 Yarrows Heritage initiated a community project to search for the remains of a “lost” towerhouse, Thurster Tower. There are numerous historical references to this tower, but it was probably destroyed in the early 17th century. Its exact whereabouts are unknown, although local tradition locates it to a field just north of Ulbster. We had identified a structure in the field, and it could possibly have been the Tower.

 

In April 2023 AOC Archaeology led an excavation of this structure, involving community volunteers and local schoolchildren. The excavation was led by Andy Heald of AOC who has extensive knowledge of Caithness. The week's excavation uncovered part of the structure revealing a complex multi-period building with an earlier more solid structure underpinning later additions. This did not have the appearance of the looked-for towerhouse but did look as if it would provide the opportunity for further investigation. It has been more than 50 years since the last excavation of a Caithnesian vernacular building!

 

So, we went back for two weeks, 14-28 April, the following year., 2024. AOC Archaeology was commissioned to run the excavation with their Community Archaeologist, Katie O'Connell as site supervisor. The plan was to do a more extensive excavation of the structure, with ample opportunity for community involvement and post-ex analysis. By the end of the two weeks, the structure had been laid bare, revealing a complex structure, changing over time. At least seven phases of building were identified. We await the results of the post-ex.

 

This excavation is important to the archaeological community in northern Scotland. Geoffrey Stell of RCAHMS undertook a pioneering 1970’s survey of dwellings about to be destroyed by road-building around Latheron. There have been isolated surveys of Caithness vernacular buildings since. To our knowledge, there has been no excavation using modern techniques and post-excavation analysis of a vernacular building in east Caithness in the last fifty years. The 2021 Highland Archaeology Research Framework notes that that “the vernacular heritage in Caithness is unique and a diminishing resource that is currently at risk. Some of the building types are unique to the area.”

 

Over 30 local volunteers came to help during the week of the 2023 excavation, and 25 in 2024. And three local schools were involved in digging – not just looking – with one local primary school coming each afternoon during the week. Comments from the children were insightful, reflecting their enthusiasm at being part of the excavation and seeing it change over time.

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We'd like to thanks local landowner Peter Stewart for allowing this excavation to take place on his land and also thanks Foundation Scotland and the Lybster and Tannach fund, the Camster RWE Fund and AOC for help with funding. A report on each of the two years of excavation can be found here: ​

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