Highland Archaeology Festival kicks off in Sutherland with Helmsdale place names walk

The Highland Archaeology Festival (HAF) kicks off on Saturday, September 24, and a number of events have been scheduled to take place in Sutherland.

The festival is organised annually by Highland Council and runs over three weeks in late September and October.

Its purpose is to celebrate the heritage of the Highlands from earliest settlers to modern times, below ground and above.

A Highland Council representative said: "Whether you are a seasoned archaeologist or a complete beginner, the festival will let you explore an amazing range of places and collections.

"There is something to suit everyone and many of the events are free."

The first event to take place in Sutherland will be a place names walk at Helmsdale from 10.30am to 1pm on Saturday.

Anyone wishing to attend should meet at Timespan Museum for a walking tour of the village to explore the stories behind its place names and their origins, dating back to the creation of the village in 1815 during the Highland Clearances.

For other events taking place in the county and across the Highlands as part of the festival, visit www.highlandarchaeologyfestival.org

There is also a list of self-guided trails and also a geocache trail that you can explore at any time.

The HAF conference 2022 will take place on October 8 at Highland Council chambers in Inverness when the keynote talk will be given by Steven Birch of West Coast Archaeological Services.

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