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Surveys of historical sites at risk from erosion

SCAPE PillboxSCAPE
A World War Two pillbox at Burghead Bay in Moray
  • Surveys are being done of archaeological sites at risk from erosion
  • The coastal remains are in Highland, Moray and Aberdeenshire
  • The sites include early 20th Century fishing boats
  • The SCAPE Trust is working with volunteers on the surveys

Surveys are being made of heritage sites at risk of coastal erosion along the coasts of Moray, Aberdeenshire and parts of the Highlands.

The SCAPE Trust charity is working with volunteers to update records on known locations, and also identify new ones.

Many of the sites are vulnerable to coastal processes such as erosion.

SCAPE Boulder-built fish trapsSCAPE
Boulder-built fish traps in the Highlands

The sites include boulder-built fish traps and wooden posts which once supported stake nets for catching fish along the Moray Firth coast.

Near Newton of Petty, east of Inverness, there are the remains of a 17th Century tidal mill and on the western shore of Findhorn Bay in Moray a "graveyard" of large early 20th Century sailing herring drifters.

Other examples included World War Two defences - anti-glider posts, anti-tank blocks and pillboxes - along sandy bays of the Moray Firth.

SCAPE Fishing vesselSCAPE
Remains of a Zulu fishing vessel at Findhorn

The trust works closely with the University of St Andrews and receives support from Historic Environment Scotland.

Its surveys will continue through to October and people who want to volunteer can contact the trust via its website.

SCAPE Aerial view of war-time defencesSCAPE
An aerial view of a pillbox and anti-tank blocks at Burghead Bay