Ben Lawers, on the north shore of Loch Tay has been recognised as one of Scotland's most important archaeological landscapes. Now, for the first time, the mysteries held on its slopes overlooking the north shore of Loch Tay are to be revealed.

Archaeologists from The National Trust for Scotland and Glasgow University's Archaeological Research Department (GUARD) are about to launch a new five-year project surveying and excavating the incredible wealth of remains on one of Scotland's greatest mountains.

Throughout the project the team will delve further and further back into the history of settlement on Ben Lawers. Initially reaching back several hundred years, understanding the most visible remains, the project will examine evidence of settlements dating back several thousand years, possibly among the earliest communities ever found in Scotland.

The director of excavations will be Dr John Atkinson, principal of GUARD and a leading expert in the field of medieval and later rural settlement in Scotland. Dr Atkinson will co-ordinate the team from Glasgow University. He believes that there is much to be gained:

'The project offers a wonderful opportunity to understand the past landscapes of the central highlands, especially during the post-medieval period'.

Wider benefits of the project include a greater understanding of several archaeological and historical periods. As an exercise in the management of cultural landscapes, lessons learned here could be applied across Europe, allowing informed decisions to be made for the future management of other significant cultural and natural landscapes.

Generous funding for the project comes from The Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland. Headline funding amounts to just over a half a million pounds for the project.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

Invitation to press launch - 1300h on 13 September 2002

Dr Robin Pellew, Chief Executive of The National Trust for Scotland, extends an invitation to representatives of the media to join him and his guests at a presentation and launch of the Ben Lawers Historic Landscape Project.

This invitation is for Friday 13th September in the McLaren Hall, Main Street, Killin at 1pm, followed by a visit to the archaeological excavations.

Contacts

Derek Alexander, The National Trust for Scotland?s West Region Archaeologist and Project Manager for the Ben Lawers Historic Landscape Project Direct line 0141 616 5120 Mobile 07887 577933 dalexander@nts.org.uk

Dr John Atkinson, Glasgow University Archaeology Research Division and Project Director for Ben Lawers Historic Landscape Project Phone 0141 330 5541 Mobile 07766 573355j.atkinson@guard.arts.gla.ac.uk

For more information on Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve and the mountain visitor centre, contact the Trust?s property manager David Mardon, or the estate rangers Helen Cole and Andrew Warwick on 01567 820988 (visitor centre on Ben Lawers) or the estate office on 01567 820988 ('Lynedoch', Main Street, Killin).

More details are available from our website www.nts.org.uk

First published: 11 September 2002