Julia Muir Watt, Development Manager at the Whithorn Trust, gave a talk to the Stewartry U3A on 22 May on the archaeological work at the Black Loch of Myrton, the construction of the Roundhouse by the Whithorn Trust and the Whithorn Pilgrimage Way.
The excavations at the Black Loch have identified one of the largest Iron Age settlements in Scotland with a number of roundhouses. The boggy conditions have helped preserve much of the wooden structures including some very large timbers.
The Iron Age Roundhouse constructed by the Whithorn Trust was completed two years ago although work is still required on the interior. Local woods, alder, ash and hazel were used in the construction but the thatch had to be brought in from Eastern Europe. Much of the work was carried out by local volunteers including the laborious task of removing the bark from the timbers. The Roundhouse is already attracting many visitors and school children and has won prestigious awards.
Whithorn is the most significant pilgrimage centre in Scotland. One of the routes is from Glasgow Cathedral to Whithorn, 143 miles with evidence of Pilgrim churches along the route as well as houses for lepers. James IV came as a pilgrim to Whithorn on a number of occasions. The Trust is now working to promote the Whithorn Pilgrimage Way.