Community Heritage Projects

Scotland's Hunters and Gathers

The Woodend Loch Assemblage will be used as the starting point to explore Scotland's Hunters and Gatherers. Thought to be one of the most significant collections discovered in SW Scotland, the assemblage comprises up to 771 pieces sporadically recovered from the banks of the Woodend Loch in early 20th century. The presence of microliths and microburins within the collection is indicative of a Mesolithic encampment near the loch.  By placing the Woodend assemblage within the wider archaeological and landscape context, we will explore how inland waters would have been an attractive stopping point for hunters and gathers supporting a number of resources that they are likely to have advantage of - fresh water, fish, waterfowl and mammals.

Living on the Loch: Exploring Inland Iron Age Crannogs

Lochend Loch crannog will be the focus of this theme. This crannog was partially excavated in 1932 following operations to increase the depth of the loch. The investigation revealed a substantial, possibly multi-phased structure with large wooden piles that supported an artificial platform, human bones belonging to two individuals.  A number of artefacts were also recovered including fragments of undecorated ceramic vessels, animal bones, lignite and jet jewellery, possible stool-seats, two upper quern stones and a large number of hazel-nut shells. We will also look at nearby Bishop Loch crannog.  Using the archaeological evidence from the crannogs in Lochend and Bishop's Loch we will delve into the Iron Age settlement exploring how these structures were built, why they were built on water and the everyday life of the inhabitants.

We will be working closely with Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life, who have some of artefacts recovered from the excavation in their collection as well as The Crannog Centre, a living history museum on Loch Tay in Perthshire to help us explore this theme.  

The Bishops Palace: Medieval Lochside Living

For this theme we will focus on the archaeological evidence and documentary sources relating to the Bishop's Palace, a country house of the Bishops of Glasgow perched on the southside of Bishop's Loch.  An evaluation and metal detecting survey carried out by Headland Archaeology Ltd in 2005 found a moat containing the possible remains of a barmkin wall. Finds from the fieldwork included six coins and imported pottery. By exploring the Bishop's Palace and nearby Provan Hall, we will discover how inland waters contributed to the surrounding resource rich land that provided the church with a valuable source of income through taxes as well as a recreational outlet for the nobility to hawk, fish and hunting deer.

Harnessing Water and Powering Industry

Here we will explore how the inlands waters of the park were fundamental to the industrial success of the east end of Glasgow and North Lanarkshire. We will focus predominantly on The Monkland Canal working closely with Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life to explore the Gartsherrie Branch of the canal which is situated within the grounds of the museum.

Changing Recreation

Our final theme, Changing Recreation will explore the importance of inland water for recreation. From the late 19th century to mid 20th century, walking, boating, skating and curling were popular seasonal activities. Today, fishing, jogging, bird and nature watching have become favourite pastimes as people escape the hustle and bustle of the city.  We will be working with oral historian Sue Morrison, to record, share and preserve  local communities memories and stories of Hogganfield Park - To get involved and become part of Hogganfield history, get in touch with the team at info@sevenlochs.org and we will get back to you to ensure you can share your memories easily and safely!

Please keep checking back as we will upload activities, videos and information that will help you explore the history of Seven Lochs Wetland Park! Or follow us on Twitter or Facebook!

The Water Cycle

Sunnyside Primary P6 Polar Explorers tackled the water cycle discovering the importance of the water cycle in supporting life and the impact of climate change on the cycle. Pupils also shared with us small steps we can all take to create a more sustainable and healthier future and created sensory maps of the loch.

The Water's Wildlife

The Water's Wildlife was the subject of Croftcroign Primary's learning journey. We looked at the importance of Hogganfield Loch for wetland wildlife, particularly birds.  

IMPRINT Workshops

Owen and Martin explored sensory elements of the park with the pupils. Their IMPRINT workshops played with textures, using found objects at Hogganfield Loch to make marks and patterns onto the clay tiles. Pupils then mixed up plaster with pigments and sloshed it into the molds.  The plaster picks up all the fine details, even fingerprints.

Back at their studio

Owen and Martin waited until the plaster has set and peeled off the clay, revealing the imprints. We can then make a silicone mold from the plaster cast and make replicas out of concrete to incorporate into the shelter design.

A Community Space

Our final theme explored some of the many ways the loch has benefited the local community - past and present. Local residents shared with us their memories of the loch and why the loch still remains an important part of the community. 

Exploring History and Heritage

Audrey O'Brien and Alice Dansey- Wright with FLS Ranger Eilidh Malcolm delivered a series of interactive workshops to elicit and capture creative responses to the nature and history of Bishop Loch.

Creative Responses

During winter walks participants, considered perception and listening to their presence in nature. The group also collected natural materials of varying texture, colour and scent.

Once back in the studio, participants classified their material by personal knowledge as an examination of our relationship between nature and everyday life. You can see some of their arrangements here: Slideshow Creation Nature 

Audrey, Alice and Eilidh also visited Abbey Court Residential Facility to discover more about the recent history of the loch. With help from living history experts, Clanranald Trust for Scotland, students from Lochend Community High School went back to the medieval period, to explore how the abundance of natural resources that made Bishop Loch and the surrounding  hunting estate so important to the Bishops of Glasgow Cathedral.

The workshops inspired A Sense of Bishop's Loch Exploration Pack which has lots of creative ideas and innovative activities that will help you make the most of your travels around Bishop Loch and Easterhouse Woodlands.

A hard copy was released in February 2021: A Sense of Bishop Loch.

The full pack can be downloaded here:  A Sense of Bishop's Loch Exploration Pack [10Mb]

Or as printable activity sheets:

1.  Playing with Words [468kb]
2.  Playing with Nature - assemblage [427kb]
3.  Playing with Nature - colours [462kb]
4.  Playing with Nature - making your mark [418kb]
5.  Playing with History [422kb]

Enjoy! And remember to share your creative journeys using the #asenseofbishopsloch

The artists we worked with on this project were:

Audrey O'Brien: Audrey  is an artist curious about how we use our senses. Based in Glasgow her work is across collage, photography, printmaking, sculpture and curated events. Audrey is a socially-engaged artist commissioned by participative and educational organisations. For more information and contact details, pop along to www.sea-projects.org.uk

Alice Dansey-Wright - Alice works in both art and design. Her practice involves teaching and facilitating a number of different art and design classes as well as creating murals, paintings and commercial products. You can see more of her work at @alicedanseyw on instagram or via www.alicemakes.com.