Our Ancient Kintyre Farmers

Project and Exhibition 2024, by P1 – P7 pupils from
Rhunahaorine Primary School, Tayinloan

For many years, schools have had the opportunity to take part in projects designed and delivered by Kilmartin Museum’s Education Service. The projects of those schools based in Kintyre have been themed around certain collections within Campbeltown Museum but have also incorporated archaeological sites across the Kintyre and Mid Argyll area. This project work has always culminated in the pupil's completed work being placed on display in Campbeltown Museum for the benefit of the local and wider community and visitors to the Museum.

This year’s project, ‘Our Ancient Kintyre Farmers', was completed by Primary 1 – 7 pupils of Rhunahaorine Primary School, Tayinloan, who secured grant funding from the West Kintyre Community Windfarm Trust.

This project offered a unique opportunity for the children who are based in a rural primary school to work with other professionals, including Julia Hamilton and Jacquelyn Condie from the Kilmartin Museum Education Team, textile artist Suzie Fleming, Khara MacPhail at Campbeltown Museum, Gaelic language specialist Àdhamh Ó Broin (CHARTS) and a professional archaeologist working at Kilmartin Museum, Dr Aaron Watson.

The project commenced in August 2023 and was completed at the end of February 2024. The intense schedule of activities and learning workshops took place within the Learning Centre at Kilmartin Museum, Rhunahaorine School, Campbeltown Museum, and archaeological sites and monuments within Kintyre and Mid Argyll.

Above: Visiting rock art excavations in Kilmartin Glen.

This unique project aimed to inspire pupils and assist their understanding of their prehistoric farming heritage and the surrounding archaeological environments of Kintyre and Mid Argyll. By understanding and learning about the significance of the Neolithic (also known as the Early Farming period) and Bronze Age collections at both Kilmartin Museum and Campbeltown Museum, the children gained a greater in-depth insight into the cultural practices of early Kintyre farming communities, their daily lives, and the natural landscape and environments that surrounded these communities over 5,500 years ago.

The project programme included cultural and natural history activities, an archaeological survey, the recording of Kintyre ‘Rock Art’ prehistoric stone carving, arts and traditional craft skills, photography, Gaelic language, and storytelling.

Above: Crafting necklaces, pottery, weaving and bark painting.

A very important element of the project allowed the children to record and photograph a prehistoric ‘Rock Art’ site close to their school at North Muasdale.

Above: Recording a rock art site in the landscape.

Using computer software, Dr Aaron Watson at Kilmartin Museum has transformed the children’s rock art photos into a 3D digital model of the rock carvings, which, along with further site images, will be officially recorded in Canmore (the National Record of the Historic Environment).

Above: Two versions of the 3D model of the rock art. The one on the left has a realistic texture, while the one on the right has an artificial texture that helps to reveal the faint ancient carvings. Please click on the button to move around the models.

From day one of the project, the children knew their work would be displayed to the public within Campbeltown Museum throughout the spring and summer months.

Above: The completed exhibition in Campbeltown Museum.

They have worked incredibly hard throughout the entire project, and their creativity, enthusiasm and dedication have been an inspiration to all of us who were involved in this project. They have also been participating in the Heritage Hero Awards (Archaeology Scotland) put forward by the Kilmartin Museum Education Team. The Heritage Hero Awards are a wider achievement award designed exclusively for history, heritage, and archaeology projects. The children’s project work is counted towards their Silver award, which is obtained by each child.