The dig, at Fetternear, is will commence on Monday (June 29).
Since 1995, fieldwork has included the excavation and landscape survey of the medieval Bishop's Palace and the post-medieval mansion. It forms part of the Scottish Episcopal Palaces Pr
oject that aims to study the residences of the medieval bishops in Scotland.
Fetternear was the summer place of the bishops of Aberdeen; it was a moated earthwork site, which later became a masonry building. After the Reformation, it became the main seat of the Leslies of Balqauhain. The buildings went through various transformations becoming a towerhouse, hallhouse and finally a mansion, which burned down in 1919.
Local volunteers are very welcome to join the team on a daily basis. Training is available for anyone who hasn't worked on an archaeological dig bore. Visitors are also welcome to the site.
The site is approached from Netherton Business Centre, Kemnay and vehicles should be left in the car park at Netherton Business Centre, with the exception of disabled visitors. The site is a short walk from the car park.
For further information, contact Dr Penny Dransart at p.dransart@lamp.ac.uk.
