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The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Carnoustie dig uncovers huge timber building older than Stonehenge
The discovery was made during archaeological excavations by GUARD archaeology commissioned by Angus Council, before the construction of new football pitches near Carnoustie High School. Archaeologists have been scrutinising their findings after the site was uncovered when digging work began in 2017. They have now concluded it was once home to a huge structure which would have been 'alien', in terms of design and complexity, to the people who came before and is unique to the time period in Scotland. Dating to 4,000BC, the hall was built in a woodland clearing and would have been an imposing structure, its walls made of thick panels and its roof supported by huge beams. There are suggestions it was used for ancient rituals – with buried tool 'offerings' found inside its walls – and the hall was kept in use for hundreds of years. Some of the stone axe head 'offerings' found at the site (Image: Guard Archaeology) And even after it succumbed to the elements, the site was used by people – though they were building on a smaller and less grandiose scale. Alan Hunter Blair, who directed the fieldwork said: 'The Carnoustie excavation produced exceptional results, the traces of the largest early Neolithic timber hall ever discovered in Scotland, dating from near 4000 BC. 'Its walls were wattle and daub panels supported by posts that were partly protected by its over-hanging roof. And its internal space was sub-divided by more postholes and narrow channels.' Beverley Ballin Smith, one of the co-authors of a report into the excavation, said: 'This monumental timber hall, completely alien to the culture and landscape of the preceding Mesolithic era, was erected by one of the very first groups of farmers to colonise Scotland, in a clearing within the remains of natural woodland. 'It was fully formed, architecturally sophisticated, large, complex and required skills of design, planning, execution and carpentry.' Unlike other Neolithic halls in Scotland, which were all discrete solitary structures within the virgin farmland of early Neolithic Scotland, the large Carnoustie Hall was accompanied by another building. This was still a substantial structure almost 20m long and over 8m wide, but while GUARD's excavation of the smaller hall revealed a large hearth with charred cereal grains and hazel nutshells consistent with a domestic function, the excavation of the larger hall indicates it was used for a different purpose. Stone artefacts appear to have been deliberately buried inside its walls, offering tantalising traces of the beliefs and rituals of the community that built and used it. Beverley Ballin Smith said: 'The Carnoustie halls, elevated and prominent in the landscape, were probably close to routeways where people may have congregated naturally at various seasons of the year. 'The availability of hazel nuts in autumn is a strong indicator that that season was an important one for meeting, feasting and celebrating. The Carnoustie timber halls may have been a focal point, their significance great enough to attract people from a much wider area. 'We know from the materials found in the Carnoustie buildings that some artefacts came from distant places and represent deliberate deposition, such as fragments of Arran pitchstone, an axe of garnet-albite-schist and a piece of smoky quartz from the Highlands, while other materials were found more locally such as agate, quartz and chalcedony. ' The dig uncovered evidence of a massive structure (Image: Guard Archaeology) After about 200 years use, it is thought both halls were dismantled and a smaller hall was built within the footprint of the larger hall, around 3800-3700 BC. But this building also continued to receive deliberate deposits of stone tools until about 3600 BC. The site continued to be revisited with evidence of people camping and gathering outside where the buildings once stood, carrying on the seasonal round of activities until around 2500 BC. However, this was not the only prehistoric secret that the Carnoustie excavations unearthed. 'A rare and well-preserved metalwork hoard of a sword within its wooden scabbard, a spearhead with a gold decorative band around its socket and a bronze sunflower-headed swan's neck pin were found wrapped in the remains of woollen cloth and sheep-skin,' said Alan Hunter Blair. 'This small hoard had been deliberately buried in a pit within the midst of a late Bronze Age settlement sometime between 1118 - 924 BC.' Around 1400 BC, during the Bronze Age, people returned to this same site at Carnoustie, probably oblivious to its significance to earlier Neolithic communities. A settlement was established, comprising a single roundhouse, much smaller than the previous Neolithic halls, and replaced three or more times over the following centuries until around 800 BC. The best preserved of the Bronze Age roundhouses was positioned over part of the foundations of the large Neolithic timber hall. Near this building, the hoard of precious weapons and jewellery was deliberately buried. The Bronze Age sword found at Carnoustie (Image: Guard Archaeology) Co-author Warren Bailie said: 'The metallurgical and lead isotope studies suggest that all the bronze objects were probably made in Scotland, but from metal imported from further south, eastern England for the bronze and, perhaps the Irish Sea area for the gold. 'If any object was a direct import, it would be the sunflower pin. The sword was a viable weapon that from the pattern of notches and rebound marks along its blades had probably seen some use in combat, but there was weakness in the core of the spearhead that would have made it vulnerable in use. ' 'And while the metalwork in the Carnoustie Hoard was impressive enough, the associated organic remains are remarkable preservation of the wooden scabbard, woollen cloth and sheepskin was down to the anti-microbial properties of copper, which all of these items were in contact with.' 'This rich hoard of metalwork, together with a shale bangle found in the roundhouse indicate that while the settlement was otherwise very modest and unassuming, its occupants were wealthy and had some status in the wider community, ' added Beverley Ballin Smith. 'Hoards such as this are rare, but a similar hoard of bronze swords and another gold decorated spearhead found in the 1960s just north of Dundee indicates a shared cultural practice amongst late Bronze Age households for burying wealth such as this for safekeeping. 'The reason as to why they never came back to recover these prized belongings, however, has been lost to the passage of time.' READ MORE: Public invited to get involved as Scotland Digs 2025 archaeology campaign begins Ancient Pictish stone found by chance goes on display Plan launched to save cultural heritage of Scotland's vanishing churches The team discovered that the last occupant of the Carnoustie site was a small field mouse - investigation of the contents of the spearhead's socket revealed a considerable amount of fresh-looking grass stems stained by the copper, suggesting that a very small rodent (such as a field mouse) had set up house during the fairly recent past in the socket itself. The archaeological work was funded by Angus Council and was required as a condition of planning consent by Angus Council who are advised on archaeological matters by the Aberdeenshire Council Archaeology Service. Kathryn Lindsay, Chief Executive Angus Council, said that no-one could have imagined what lay under the ground when work began. She said: 'When Angus Council approved the development of two outdoor football pitches on land at Balmachie Road in Carnoustie, no one imagined the process would reveal one of the most remarkable and internationally significant archaeological discoveries in Scotland. 'Many current residents in the area may not have imagined life during this period of history, right on their doorstep.
The Courier
13-06-2025
- The Courier
Angus teacher accused of calling bosses 'terrorist sympathisers' and writing 'abusive and offensive' Facebook posts
An Angus teacher is accused of calling bosses 'terrorist sympathisers' and making 'abusive and offensive' Facebook posts. Philippe Magalon will face claims about his behaviour while employed by Angus Council at Lochside Primary School in Montrose at a hearing on June 19 and 20. The teacher, who no longer works for the local authority, was previously convicted of shouting at pupils with additional needs and throwing a book across the classroom after becoming 'fed up' with their behaviour. Magalon, whose career started in England and lasted more than 20 years, narrowly avoided jail after admitting the offences at Forfar Sheriff Court in 2020. The General Teaching Council (GTC) will decide on his future in the sector. The allegations to be considered by the watchdog alongside his 2020 conviction are as follows. Magalon is accused of posting various abusive, offensive and discriminatory comments, pictures and videos on his personal Facebook page between February 22 and June 1 2019. The GTC says these posts would have been accessible to parents, pupils, colleagues and members of the public. In one of the comments, alongside an article titled 'Travellers who wrecked historic brewery are jailed for eight years', he wrote: 'Travellers, no wonder why in Romania, Bulgaria, Italy and other countries, these 'people' are, let's say 'unloved' everywhere they go they wreck places, steal, leave rubbish, criminality is rising. U***********n.' In another post with a link to a controversial website claiming to provide updates on religious extremism, he said: 'This is the death cult that Shemina Begum, the Isis w***e joined. 'More atrocities. 'She and her little inbred should never be allowed back in Europe.' He also shared a post with a picture containing the heading 'Christianity History' and the comment 'If you think ISIS is bad. This is what Catholics use (sic) to do. 'Think people.' Magalon wrote: 'A m**z trying to take the moral stance, ignoring today's actions by his fellow cult followers and instead trying to deflect their tortures, rapes and murders by showing actions from the distant past (at least 500 years ago). 'Get a life m**z.' The teacher is also accused of sharing a picture of Kermit the Frog holding a wine bottle with the comment 'Awww you're spreading rumours about me…at least you found a hobby spreading something other than your legs b***h!'. He wrote alongside the image: 'Sure someone will know what I mean and recognise herself.' With a photograph of a group of people wearing garments covering their face and body, he wrote: 'Never, in the history of sun shades, so many black parasols been put on display. 'On a more serious note, these filthy tarts are the remnants of Isis terrorist brides. 'Can't believe so many were missed by air strikes.' Another of Magalon's Facebook posts being investigated said: 'Just had the misfortune meet to a woman that is angry at the fact that she is working class and does not like middle class because her mother was a single mother, hello, not my fault, don't cry baby, not my fault if your understanding is…well…rather flawed by a lack of, yes, you guessed it, neuron count. 'Well obviously not highly educated, an IQ the size of my shoe size. 'Well can't stop laughing. Poor her. Gave me the example of Maggie Thatcher from…30 years ago!!!…err…wake up women, it is the 21st century! 'Now be a good girl, get a proper education, now I know, difficult if you don't have enough data storage. Never mind. Life can be so cruel.' In addition, while still employed at Lochside Primary in March 2020, Magalon sent a text which claimed bosses at Angus Council were 'terrorist sympathisers'. It is not stated who received the text, which appeared to be sent before a meeting deciding whether he would continue as a council employee. Magalon was initially suspended and took early voluntary retirement in May 2020. He wrote: 'Now, inevitably, me not being able to say anything will change on 31st and rest assured, I will not hesitate to open up and say what I couldn't as an Angus employee. 'There will be special mention for the snowflakes that took exception of my Facebook posts and whether they were from school or the education dept. at Orchardbank they will definitely not be spared and will be named and likely to be shamed as terrorist sympathisers, and why not. 'I am really looking forward to this in fact. 'As I said previously, my parting shots will be straight to the point. 'Sadly, I am not Jesus, I neither forgive nor forget therefore those who have wronged me will bear the brunt of my anger and will not be forgotten.' On January 19 2021 the teacher also sent an email to GTC Scotland in response to a newsletter. It said: 'Amazing, after all that time, weeks into second lockdown, (not to mention the first lockdown), the GTC, at least, decide to take their fingers out of their asses and publish something, something that is obviously completely inadequate and irrelevant. Bravo and thank you (not).' The watchdog says Magalon's actions were 'lacking in integrity'. A spokesperson for Angus Council confirmed the teacher no longer works for the local authority, adding: 'It is not appropriate to comment further at this time'. The Courier has attempted to contact Magalon for a response to the allegations.
Scottish Sun
12-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
UK beach that's ‘falling into the sea' reveals drastic new plans to stop it disappearing forever
Plus, the English seaside town at risk of losing its beach that has revealed £11million restoration plans WAVE GOODBYE UK beach that's 'falling into the sea' reveals drastic new plans to stop it disappearing forever Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A UK beach that is at risk of disappearing has revealed new protection plans. Montrose Beach in Scotland has struggled with erosion for years and consequently, lost centuries-old golf links into the sea. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Montrose Beach in Scotland has struggled with erosion for years Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 And now, plans have been proposed to protect the beach from disappearing further Credit: Getty 5 Two 100-metre-long groynes are planned for the beach, 200 metres apart Credit: AECOM/Angus Council However, experts hope that new plans for two rock armour groynes will slow the loss of the dunes. Montrose Beach currently stretches three miles to the North Esk River, with views south to Scurdieness Lighthouse. However, parts of the beach have been impacted worse than others including the sand dunes, which have been eroded as much as 12 metres. According to a planning submission, the beach has lost three metres a year since 2016. And since 1995, the sea has reclaimed over 70 metres in total. Now with recent acceleration the beach is disappearing even faster. The Courier has reported that as a result, experts at infrastructure firm AECOM are developing the coastal erosion battle plan for Angus Council. The two long structures - which are typically made of wood, concrete, or rubble and usually extend from the shoreline into the sea - will be designed to limit the movement of sand on the beach. Each structure will be 100 metres long and 10 metres wide and they will be about 200 metres apart. AECOM said: "This spacing has been assessed as optimal to provide the best amount of sediment capture. Howell Davies on New Smyrna Beach Florida travel 5 The large structures will also each be 10-metres-wide Credit: Alamy "The groynes initially tie into the existing beach levels at the shore end, increasing to one metre above beach levels at their outer extent." AECOM expects the build of the structures to take three months. Proposals for the popular tourist destination are part of a wider, long-term approach to tackle the threat of flood corridors and the North Sea's impact on the beach's dunes. The application now needs to be accessed by the local council. Until then, you can visit the family-friendly beach which also has a promenade, as well as car parking. For other things to explore, there is also a shop and an amusement centre. For little ones, there is a Seafront Splash play area for children featuring pools, a pitch and putt and an ice cream parlour. One of the nice walks to do is head along the length of the beach before returning via an inland route and visiting the North Water viaduct - which is now part of a cycle path. Another English beach is at risk of disappearing forever with the 'fastest erosion in Europe'. Plus, the English seaside town at risk of losing its beach that has revealed £11million restoration plans.
The Courier
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Courier
50MW Forfar battery plant beside Station Park set for green light
Angus planning officials say a 50MW battery energy storage scheme beside Forfar's Station Park should get the go-ahead. Vital Energi is behind the project for vacant ground at Carseview Road. The land once housed a huge gasholder which towered over the home of The Loons. It was demolished and the site cleared many years ago. Since then the land has lain unused. An application for the battery energy storage scheme (BESS) was lodged with Angus Council earlier this year. The development would see the installation of 14 battery energy storage units and seven power conversion units almost three metres in height. These would be metal structures similar to shipping containers. The site would also contain a 50sq m substation building sited adjacent to the Carseview Road boundary. It would be surrounded by a five-metre high acoustic fence and nine-camera CCTV system. On Tuesday, the application will be considered by Angus Council's development standards committee. Officials have recommended the application is given conditional approval. They say the battery storage bid is an acceptable use of the vacant brownfield land. 'The site would be seen in the context of existing commercial development, including large-scale industrial buildings,' the planning report states. 'There are other horizontal man-made features in the surrounding landscape, including the infrastructure at neighbouring Station Park.' Planners believe it would be 'a modern development with a very localised visual impact'. 'This development would provide a source of power supply to help balance energy demand in the grid and would make a reasonable contribution towards reducing carbon emissions,' the report adds. 'Policy requires that this is given significant weight.' There were no objections to the application. Officials have suggested a range of conditions, including starting the development within three years. If the project is approved, it will be allowed to operate for 30 years. The applicants would also have to submit a plan for the restoration of the ground after that time. In 2017, an application for a gas-powered electricity generation plant on the site was approved. The planning permission was never progressed.
The Courier
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Courier
What now for St Thomas Primary site as final traces of former Arbroath school disappear?
The last remnants of a former Arbroath primary school have all but gone. Demolition of St Thomas R.C. school in Seaton Road is virtually complete, five years after the primary closed. Pupils moved to the £14 million Abbey View campus shared with Hayshead Primary School. St Thomas was used for storage before the site was earmarked for affordable housing. Angus Council hopes it can accommodate around 40 new homes. In 2022, housing officials said they were confident the 13,200 square metre St Thomas site could deliver a much-needed mix of one, two and three-bedroom homes. Alongside land at the former Forfar Academy in the town's Taylor Street, it was one of two former school sites earmarked for housing. Detailed plans for both projects are yet to come forward. Angus Council officials previously said any affordable housing project would likely involve a two-year lead in time. And construction could take around 18 months. St Thomas was previously at the centre of a proposal to house Ukrainian refugees in Angus. In 2022, the Scottish Government asked Angus Council to take part in a pilot project which would have seen modular homes created on the school site. Those would have been able to house up to 100 people. However, the plan was abandoned after Holyrood said it would not deliver value for money. Completion of the St Thomas demolition comes as affordable housing plans for another Forfar site resurfaced. Councillors this week approved the transfer of the former Gables home for adults to Caledonia Housing Association. Previous plans to develop the site collapsed due to spiralling construction costs.
