Treasured Remains: What Lies Beneath? Graveyard Geophysics

Finding our hidden graveyard heritage

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.

What lies buried beneath Stonehouse graveyard, and is there a mysterious tunnel running beneath it? Come along and learn how archaeologists look for traces of the past beneath their feet using geophysical equipment. There will be the opportunity to use the machinery and see how the results are interpreted.

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.

17 March 2018, St Ninian’s Graveyard, Stonehouse, 10am-4pm

The graveyard is located at the North end of Manse Road in Stonehouse.

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

What Lies Beneath? Discovering Graveyard Geophysics – Learn how geophysics is used to identify the hidden heritage that lies below the ground. Sunday 29 October, St Ninian’s Graveyard, Stonehouse, 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.