Project Description

Aspiring Archaeologists

Volunteers from Queen Anne High School were invited to join Northlight Heritage to carry out a standing building survey of the Friary in Inverkeithing. The detailed survey would uncover many tantalising clues to the Friary’s long and complex history. The lead archaeologist taught volunteers how to use observation, photography and drawing to record a historic building and explained how to interpret visual clues and identify different building periods.

During March, volunteers were supported to undertake a standing building survey of the Inverkeithing Friary Hospitium historic building. With its origins in the 14th century, substantial remodelling in the 17th century and extensive renovation in the 1930s, volunteers tried to untangle the different phases of activity. They produced a photographic and written record of observations, which established that traces of the earliest phases of the building are still preserved beneath the more recent fabric.

The project was delivered by Northlight Heritage as part of the Inverkeithing Heritage Regeneration and led by Fife Historic Buildings Trust and Fife Council. The project is supported by historic Environment Scotland and National Lottery Heritage FundScotland.

One pupil stated

‘This was an interesting project and one I would like to be involved in for the future. It was good to learn about the history of the building and what is involved in restoring and maintaining it’

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