Caithness Broch Project director wins award for 'Choost an' Owld Pile o' Ston'
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A Caithness-born student has received a university award for his dissertation on the value of archaeology to the county.
Kenneth McElroy was recently awarded Archaeology Scotland's Best Undergraduate Dissertation from a Scottish University for his work on assessing and realising the social and economic benefits of archaeology to his home county.
Kenneth, 32, who studied archaeology at the University of Glasgow between 2017 and 2021, was "pleasantly surprised" to learn that his work, entitled "Choost an' Owld Pile o' Ston'? The Value of Archaeology to Caithness" had been nominated by his university as one of the stand-out pieces of work. Despite numerous entries from across Scottish universities, judges deemed that Kenneth should be the recipient of the award, facilitated by Archaeology Scotland, and enabled through the donations of an anonymous benefactor.
"I actually really loved writing this, and hope to publish my dissertation at some point as it holds some real-life value in the promotion and protection of our archaeology and the heritage sector," said Kenneth who is also a director of the Caithness Broch Project (CBP).
"I think it's incredibly important that we continue to invest in and support archaeology, from community excavations to the upkeep and preservation of historic sites. My research certainly suggested that our historic environment is held in high regard by both locals and tourists, and so we ought to continue to develop and improve it."
Kenneth now works in Argyll at Kilmartin Museum as its education officer but still shows a keen interest in the archaeological landscape of Caithness through his voluntary work with the CBP. He was awarded a medal and £150 at the Scottish Student Archaeology Society Conference, where he had been invited to attend as a panel member on the portrayal of archaeology in media.
Graduating with a First Class honours degree in June last year, Kenneth started work the following month at the Argyll museum. "I would have liked a bit more time off I think but this student loan isn't going to pay itself off. Plus its great experience, so I'm thankful for that."
He says he is keen to involve Caithness in his studies as much as possible "because there is a real comparative lack of academic research into Caithness archaeology".
"My own interests were generally about the socio-economic benefits of archaeology, rather than actual archaeological research. But it's all important: excavations, conservation work and other archaeological activities need funding. My work sought to address 'why' archaeology is so important, to whom and for what reasons - and, consequently, why it deserves support and financial investment."
Kenneth talked about trying to organise an excavation in Caithness through the broch project but was "knocked back" by the funders. "It seemed that there was a lack of understanding as to the very real, tangible and intangible benefits of investigating and developing our archaeological landscape.
"So, in many ways, this dissertation was a reaction to that disappointment. And absolutely, if we can demonstrate to funders and to the general public that archaeology is good for you, then it makes these projects easier to organise."
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