SAFE AS HOUSES - Scotland’s Defensive Buildings Through Time

How did people in the past protect themselves? How were defensive buildings constructed? What were the threats and how were they countered? The morning session highlights some examples from pre-history to the 17th century. How and why were crannogs built? Were town walls defensive? The restoration of castles and tower houses in NE and SW Scotland has revealed much of their past.

In the afternoon, attention turns to defending the state, starting with the Jacobite period. Moving to the 20th century, we look at recent projects on the World Wars by local historians (WW I naval port at Invergordon, WW II airfield at Evanton and buildings-that-never-were around Glasgow). Finally we go underground to the bunkers in the Cold War.

Talks are illustrated and non-members are most welcome.

Programme

09.45-10.15 COFFEE & REGISTRATION

10.15-12.45 MORNING SESSION Chair: Steve Connelly
10.15 Welcome

Crannogs: farmstead or fortress?
Dr Nick Dixon (Scottish Crannog Centre)

Civic defensive structures in Scotland: the case of the Capital
Graeme Cruickshank (Edinburgh Historical Enterprises)

Craigievar Castle and the Old Tower of Drum: repairing and understanding two tower houses
Ian Davidson (National Trust for Scotland)

The recent restoration of Scotland’s castles
Dr Janet Brennan (Scottish Castles Association)

12.45-14.00 LUNCH BREAK

12.50-13.15 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

13.30 Slide Show

14.00-16.30 AFTERNOON SESSION

The built legacy of the Jacobite Risings
Dr Doreen Grove (Scottish Government)

Wartime remains on the Cromarty Firth
Dr Susan Kruse (Archaeology for Communities in the Highlands)

Bomber decoys of World War II: some sites near Glasgow
Prof. Niall A Logan (East Dunbartonshire Heritage & History Forum)

Air defences during the Cold War
Grant More (The Secret Bunker)

16.30 CLOSE

Tickets

Book online (see link at the top of this page) or download the leaflet, complete application form and send with a cheque to SLHF.