Until recently, the majority of Scottish people lived and worked in the countryside. This rural way of life, which was the backbone of Scottish economy and culture, for hundreds of years has changed dramatically. Most of the settlements have now been abandoned, leaving only the crumbling remains of villages and farms dotting the landscape. There are literally thousands of these derelict settlements across Scotland, many of which have not been documented in any detail, if at all. These remains represent an invaluable record of Scottish rural life during a fascinating period of change that spans both the agricultural and industrial revolutions and the Clearances. They form a vital part of Scotland’s history, yet we know so little about them or the way of life for the people that lived in them. There is much work to be done if we are to record and understand them before they fade from the landscape.

Scotland’s Rural Past is helping to raise awareness of this fascinating archaeological resource by working with local communities throughout Scotland to develop locally-based projects. SRP is encouraging members of the public to discover more about historic rural settlements in their area through researching, recording, interpreting, and  promoting them to a wider audience. In the longer term the data collected will help the future preservation and conservation of these rural sites.

Since the start of SRP in 2006, over 60 projects and 20 schools projects have been initiated as a results of the SRP team working in partnership with communities, organisations and individuals across Scotland.

What are the benefits of a Scotland’s Rural Past project?

Local groups and individuals have benefitted from the wealth of expertise that RCAHMS can offer: the SRP team works closely with highly experienced archaeologists and other specialists from RCAHMS to provide expert training and advice in archaeological field survey and recording techniques and documentary research.

Together with RCAHMS staff, the SRP team has run over 40 two-day training courses across Scotland. These courses provide people with the skills and techniques necessary to survey and record rural settlement remains, and to undertake historical document research. The training and subsequent support from the SRP team enables people of all ages to become more aware of their historic environment and its relevance to Scottish history.

How can you get involved with Scotland’s Rural Past?

There are many ways in which you can get involved. You may wish to get out and about in the countryside to discover, survey and record historic rural settlement remains, or you may prefer to engage in desk-based research on historic documents, maps or photographs. Many project participants submit the results of their survey work and research to the RCAHMS database, where it becomes part of the National Monuments Record. RCAHMS curates this material, preserves it for future generations and makes it publicly accessible. All the information you may need to help you undertake your own fieldwork or documentary research project can be found on this website. You may also find that there are on-going SRP projects near where you live which you could get involved with. Participants of exisiting projects will be able to pass on their skills and experience to you. The SRP team will only be able to offer a very limited training programme in 2010 and 2011 as our resources are heavily committed to supporting our existing projects.

Alongside the field survey and recording projects, SRP helps set up and support educational projects to raise awareness and improve physical and intellectual access to Scotland’s rural history. These projects include a range of interpretive events and activities, school projects, guided walks, conferences, workshops, talks and exhibitions. 

There are also opportunities for initiating conservation and interpretation projects for local sites. Participating gropups and indivduals with registered SRP projects have the opportunity to present their findings at the SRP annual conference. Many SRP projects become involved in other existing heritage initiatives such as Scottish Archaeology Month or the Council for Scottish Archaeology’s Adopt-a-monument scheme, and many find sources of funding lcoally and nationally to support their own initiatives, such as excavation of rural settlement sites. Whatever your ideas, SRP aims to provide expert advice, support and assistance.

Being involved with SRP is fun. Participating projects are innovative and are having a real, sustainable impact on recording and preserve elements of the historic landscape, many of which would all too soon have become forgotten and lost forever. Detailed information on numerous new sites is being amassed, local knowledge is being captured and imaginations are being stimulated.

SRP offers the chance to work with other interested volunteers, to learn more about a valuable aspect of our heritage, and to help preserve it and promote it for the benefit of future generations. For further information about this project, please contact the Scotland’s Rural Past team at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .