FASCINATING SERIES EXPLORING THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF SCOTLAND

BBC ALBA will bring viewers a six-part archaeology series exploring the fascinating substance of what lies under the surface of Scotland’s landscape.

Presented by keen amateur archaeologist Kirsty MacDonald from North Uist, ‘Talamh Tròcair’, ‘Revealing Scotland’s Past’ has been produced by mactv for BBC ALBA.

The series will cover the most advanced and dynamic excavation projects taking place in Scotland including the more conventional processes of buried landscape, accidental discovery, coastal archaeology, plus the less conventional categories of the ritual and the extreme.

Each programme will be dedicated to exploring one theme of archaeology:

· Programme one – ‘Finding Archaeology’ features one of the most important sites in the country. At Forteviot beside the A9 and just south of Perth, archaeologists are trying to find the palace of Scotland's first king.

Programme two – ‘Submerged Archaeology’ features the search for a hidden legendary village off the coast of North Uist between Baleshare (Bailesear) and the Monach Islands (Heisgeir). According to local oral tradition, submerged buildings exist there and stories relate to a time when the landscape around the North Uist coast was linked to the Monach Islands, which are four miles away off the north west coast of Uist.

Programme three – ‘Community Archaeology’ centres on local communities in Pitlochry and the Isle of Harris who help archaeologists understand Scotland's past.

Programme four – ‘Extreme Archaeology’ follows Kirsty MacDonald as she explores some of the unusual methods used by archaeologists to reveal Scotland's past including reconstructing an Iron Age crannog based on underwater research and using the methods people would have employed 2000 years ago. The programme also features abseiling and aerial archaeologists.

Programme five – ‘Eroding Archaeology’ features some of the valuable sites and artefacts around Scotland’s coasts that are in danger of being lost forever such as a 3000 year old site opposite Lerwick on the Shetland Isle of Bressay.

Programme six – ‘Ritual Archaeology’ will provide an insight into the current thinking on some of the unusual ancient burial practices and a recently discovered cemetery in Skye dating back to a Scotland of 4000 years ago.

Talamh Tròcair, the six part series will commence on Tuesday 6 April at 8.30pm and each consecutive Tuesday thereafter.