PICTURES: Spring beckons as public attend Snowdrop Day at Thrumster House
As spring approaches, many were delighted to attend the Snowdrop Day event at Thrumster House on Saturday.
Thousands of snowdrops formed a patchwork of brilliant white as the sun filtered through the trees surrounding the grand residence.
Catherine Macleod from Thrumster House hosted the event with her mother Islay and said that Snowdrop Day also provided the perfect opportunity to highlight the work of Yarrows Heritage and its archaeological digs on the estate.
“We raised £163 in donations for Yarrows Heritage SCIO [Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation],” said Catherine.
“A lot of people came to enjoy the snowdrops and many were interested in the archaeology that was on display. There were also many who wanted to volunteer to come along and help out with excavations for Yarrows Heritage.
“The information on the archaeological finds from the last couple of years also piqued the interest of those who came along. We had the Thurster dig last year and there will be another dig at Swartigill in 2025.”
The archaeological dig at Sarclet was to try and locate the remains of a 15th-century stronghold called Thurster Tower. Though it was not located, many intriguing artefacts were discovered at the site to show centuries of human habitation.
Meanwhile, the jewel in the crown of Yarrows Heritage has to be the excavation of the Iron Age site at Swartigill. The area appears to have been repurposed over many years and some structures are believed to be contemporaneous with a nearby broch at Thrumster House.
The significant discovery of a coloured glass bead known as a Guido Class 13 Northern Spiral raised the profile of the dig as it showed possible trade links with the Roman Empire.
Catherine’s grandmother, Lady Jessamine Harmsworth who died in 1994, originally hosted a Daffodil Tea Day event at Thrumster House.
More info on Yarrows Heritage can be found at: www.yarrowsheritagetrust.co.uk/
To subscribe to the paper please follow this link: www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/subscribe/
Use the promo code DAVIDGSCOTT to get a year of unlimited digital access for just £10 - we really appreciate your support.
