Treasured Remains: Tomb Readers, Cambusnethan

Throwing light on inscriptions with digital photography workshops

Conservation begins by working together to better understand the heritage we have, why it’s important and any threats it may face. Come and join Archaeology Scotland and Kirkyard Consulting for a series of free events and activities to explore the historic graveyards of the Clyde and Avon Valley.

This event will explore the weathered and worn inscriptions on the historic gravestones of Cambusnethan kirkyard, a site with ancient burial heritage where medieval and pictish stones have been found, using digital photography techniques. Learn how to use Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) to take photos capturing a surface’s shape and colour in 3 dimensions and see the carvings in more detail than has been seen for many years. The workshop will teach you how you can use these techniques yourself and use them for your own enjoyment in the future. Sturdy footwear and waterproof clothing is recommended. Please also bring a packed lunch. This is a great opportunity to learn new photography skills and help to reveal hidden history. Everyone is welcome, there's no previous knowledge or experience needed.

No experience is necessary as training will be given. All ages and abilities are welcome but children below 16 should be accompanied by an adult. Workshops are FREE but booking is essential via Phil Richardson, at Archaeology Scotland at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  / 0300 012 9878.

The workshop will run 10am - 4pm Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 March 2018

The graveyard requires a short walk along a farm track (appropriate footwear needed), and we will meet on nearby Kirkhill Road, Wishaw, ML2 0BW at 10am

Events in the series are listed here:

Graveyard Detectives – Illustrated talk and family activities to launch the project. Saturday 9 September, New Lanark, 1-4pm

Uncovering Buried Tombstones – probing for and uncovering the buried stones so that the graveyard can be better recorded. Friday 22 and Saturday 23 September, St Patrick’s Churchyard, Dalzell Estate, 10am-4pm

Tomb Readers: Throwing New Light on Worn Inscriptions with Digital Photography – Learn how to use Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) to take photos capturing a surface’s shape and colour using lights at different angles, to help uncover inscriptions and designs difficult to see with the naked eye. Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 October, St Patrick's Kirkyard, Dalzell Estate, 10am-4pm and Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 October, St Michael’s Churchyard, Cambusnethan, 10am-4pm

Telling Tales: An Introduction to Graveyard Research and Interpretation – Ever wonder where to find more information about a graveyard or how to explain the rich and unique history of a site to the general public? Come along to these workshops and we will take you through the journey from finding out more to presenting that information in an engaging way. Saturday 9 December, St Ninian’s Graveyard, Stonehouse, 10am-4pm and Saturday 13 January, New Lanark Burial Ground, 10am-4pm

Watch the video with Susan Buckham, Kirkyard Consulting, below.

Read the Treasured Remains Conservation Strategy for Historic Graveyards in the Clyde and Avon Valley undertaken by Kirkyard Consultants below. 

The event is also part of the Land, Life, Water: Discovering the Clyde and Avon Valley Past and Present exhibition programme, taking place Saturday 17 - Sunday 18 March:

• Treasured Remains: Tomb Readers, Cambusnethan, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 February, 10am – 4pm. Using digital photography to uncover details on stone carvings with Archaeology Scotland
• RSPB Baron’s Haugh Nature Reserve Guided Walk, Sunday 18 February, 10am – 12 noon. Meet in reserve car park, ML1 2PZ
• Bronze Age Pottery and Celtic Head Fun Workshop, Chatelherault Country Park, Tuesday 20 February; Saturday 3, Saturday 6 and Saturday 17 March, 11am – 1pm and 2 – 4pm
• Introduction to Bike Maintenance, Larkhall and District Volunteer Group, Saturday 24 February, 11am – 2pm
• Willow Tunnel Maintenance Skills, Chatelherault Country Park, Wednesday 21 February, 10:30am – 12:30pm
• The Living Landscapes of Chatelherault walk series, Friday 23 February; Friday 2, Friday 9 and Saturday 17 March, 1 – 3pm
• The Wassail of Larkhall, Quarter Boolin’ Club, Saturday 24 February, 11am – 4pm. Make decorative walking sticks and spring garlands, traditional music and a walk through Chatelherault Country Park, ending in the Applebank Inn, Larkhall
• Symphony for the Land, The Green Bridge, Chatelherault Country Park, Sunday 25 February, 11:30am – 1:30pm. Create your own instruments and noise makers, or just use your voice, to join in with the human symphony
• Arboreal Walk drop-in, Duke’s Monument, Barncluith, Hamilton, Sunday 25 February, 1 – 5pm. Use a map to discover the area including plants and animals, and use your findings to take part in some drawing activities around the fire pit
• Spring Forward Walk, Hamilton, Sunday 25 February, 2 – 3:30pm. Create a swinging ball and join a celebratory walk from the Covan Burn to the Duke’s Monument, Barncluith
• Saturday 3 March, Guided Ride: Larkhall – Chatelherault Country Park, via NCR74, 11am – 2pm
• Thursday 8 March, Lower Nethan Gorge walk with Scottish Wildlife Trust, 10am – 1pm, meet Crossford village Hall. More details to be announced soon at www.clydeandavonvalley.org/join-in/events
• Saturday 17 March, Treasured Remains: What lies beneath? Graveyard Geophysics, 10am – 4pm
• Saturday 17 March, Family Fun Day, Hamilton Palace Sports Grounds, 10am – 3pm. Drop-in activities, no booking required. Superheroes bike ride, cycling track, stalls and more
• Sunday 18 March, Family Fun Day, Larkhall Leisure Centre, 10am – 3pm. Drop-in activities, no booking required. Superheroes bike ride, cycling track, stalls and more