Scotland’s Most Romantic Archaeological Sites

Not very romantic? Swap the roses and chocolates for a trowel and you might change your mind. We’ve gathered up a few Scottish sites and finds to inspire you.

Tinkers’ Heart

As the name suggests, the Tinkers’ Heart in Argyll & Bute is a heart-shaped setting of quartz stones, which serves as a location for meetings and celebrations (such as weddings and christenings) among the Traveller community.

During the public consultation in 2015,  “a number of local authority archaeology services throughout Scotland were consulted”, as well as members of the public, heritage bodies and universities, and the responses confirmed that the “Tinkers’ Heart is a very rare, indeed unique physical monument to the Travellers”. 

According to Canmore, “the site is still visited, and coins continue to be placed next to the central stone.”

Thirlstane Cairn

It has been suggested that local couples would sneak away to this cairn (a local authority and parish boundary marker) in West Lothian in the 19th century, where they would carve their names and a date before their wedding.

Excavations in 2015 revealed that the cairn may have originally been an upright standing stone (supported in an informal post setting and a rounded cairn of boulders) and since it was reconstructed a few years ago, you can bring your date along and challenge each other to spot the stones. 

Sweetheart Abbey

This list wouldn’t be complete without this beautiful abbey in Dumfries & Galloway, which was founded in 1273 by Lady Dervorgilla of Galloway in memory of her husband.

On her death, she was laid to rest next to his embalmed heart. In 1931, a lead drum found in the presbytery analysed and found to contain traces of hair and blood, “with the implication that it might be the heart burial”. 

If you’re feeling inspired, why not invite someone special to an upcoming archaeology event? 

---

Header Image: Image by InspiredImages from Pixabay