Cultural Landscapes of North-east Scotland

Analyzes the cultural and environmental landscapes of north-east Scotland through collaborative research, blending archaeology, geology, and community engagement.

The authors explore multi-faceted aspects of the competing cultural landscapes that comprise the north-east of Scotland. This inter-disciplinary collection uses a deep temporal perspective at a range of scales, from micro-landscape studies to large-scale geological and archaeological environments. It presents collaborative research carried out by a local conservation group, the Bailies of Bennachie, and the University of Aberdeen across a twelve-year period – the ‘Bennachie Landscapes Project’.

Far from being a cultural backwater, the book shows how key physical and social processes have interacted in the landscape of north-east Scotland since prehistory. Authors present new understandings of glacial geology, Mesolithic settlements, Roman, Viking and medieval settlements and environments, and recent crofting landscapes. Today’s landscape is shown to be an extraordinarily rich resource for cultural and environmental history that is well worthy of continued protection and care. The research is itself used as a means of reaching into the wider community and engaging in a two-way process of education that connects the various participants.

This book, therefore, explores ways of ‘doing’ environmental archaeology and cultural landscape studies that are not mainstream. All of the studies have a greater or lesser degree of community input. Some are community-driven, others more academically oriented. But all add value to the others and help to create a better understanding of the cultural landscapes of north-east Scotland. The narrative flows from late glacial times, through prehistoric and historic periods forward, through the actions of the present engaging communities, seamlessly on and into the future.