He Illustrated this point by showing us two pictures of rubbish piled up during a bin strike in Edinburgh. The first showed cardboard, a toilet, cat food tins etc suggesting that this was a residential area; and the second was dominated by takeaway boxes suggesting a retail area. This tells us something about how the people in these areas lived.
The Vikings were in this region roughly between C780 – 1100 AD and the Norse C1100 -1300 AD.
The Viking rubbish dump (midden) equivalent to the cardboard and plastic oftoday were primarily made up of shells amongst other things, The shells were periwinkle which they ate and limpets which they used for bait. Fish bones were also found, cod mainly along with saith and ling. There was no herring or fresh water fish such as salmon or eel. There were signs of butchery and preparation for drying. Lachan added that If the midden was earlier it would have a greater range of species and if later would have herring.
There were some animal bones, mostly cow, but also pig, seal, deer and sheep. There were a lot of cow bones and many of juveniles which is an indication of the production of dairy products.
Other artifacts made from bone were also found and identified as combs, gaming pieces and pins.
The excavation has now been completed and recorded and although the final report
has yet to be published, luxury holiday lodges with balconies and hot tubs have been erected.
3rd April 2024
A History of Ness Islands, Inverness
Norman Newton
Norman began his talk by showing us various early maps depicting the Ness Islands such as Timothy Pont’s sketch of Inverness (c. 1583-1614), William Roy’s ‘Military Survey of Scotland (1747-55), Boswell & Johnson’s book a book ‘A Tour around Scotland’. Later maps of show how the Islands were developed (eg John Home 1774) and the first OS map 1867 shows the bridges which had been built turning the Ness Islands into a tourist attraction.
After entering by the iron bridge a tour of the Ness Islands allows visitors to see various construction works carried out by Inverness Waterworks. The islands are also surrounded by weirs and the remnants of stone fish traps. Also visible is the site of the Lodge which later became a Tearoom and pet cemetery with carved tombstones. Further along the path a fallen tree has been painted with a Nessie face and then the green bridge which links the two main islands with several fine specimens of Douglas Fir. There are many bat boxes, home to several species including pipistrelles.
In the early 20th Century fetes, carnivals, shows and dances were held in the open spaces and were very well attended. As part of the Festival of Britain in 1951a Pageant of Inverness took place on the Islands and from the 3-8 September 11,000 tickets were sold. It is still possible to see the walls of the arena.
Norman has co-written with Pauline Mackay and Marjory Tait a children’s activity book based on the Ness Islands which include a map of the trail, entitled ‘Wild About Inverness Ness Islands’ published by Able Kids Press price £6.99. Copies are available from www.ablekidspress.com