In This Section:

10.9 Research Questions

The questions below apply specifically to the post-medieval period in the Highlands. Some research questions in the Land and Environment section 3.9 may also apply to this period.

Many research questions from the original National ScARF and other regional research frameworks are also relevant and applicable in the Highlands. These will soon be all be searchable and available all together through our our new digital platform facility.

General

HARF Qu 10.4: How does Highland region compare with other areas of Gaeldom and how does it vary internally? 

More information on this question
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.5: What Gaelic customs, rituals and traditions have been overlooked in areas such as traditional building materials or skills that might help us re-appraise their nature? 

More information on this question
More information:
Sources in Gaelic or from the Gaelic tradition contain a good deal of information, often first-hand and in the voices of the people who lived in the region. More effort needs to be made to use these sources, and where possible partner with other organisations where there are language barriers. What can they offer in terms of knowledge of the region’s built and material heritage? 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

Environmental

HARF Qu 10.1: What was the source of timber (local or imported)?

More information on this question
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.3: How did the climate change throughout the period?

More information on this question
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.7: What was growing in woodlands, when they were exploited, how were they managed (eg coppicing) and used in various enterprises (such as charcoal burning platforms). 

More information on this question
More information:
Further investigation of woodlands, looking at what is growing, when they were exploited, evidence of woodland management (eg coppicing) and use in various enterprises such as charcoal burning platforms. The Highlands is ideally suited to such study, with plentiful sites. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.8: Was crofting good or bad for the land, and what circumstances let to each outcome? 

More information on this question
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.9: What were the environmental impacts of different land management practices?

More information on this question
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

Settlement and Daily Life

HARF Qu 10.10: What was the use and distribution of different building materials and constructional techniques, including corrugated iron buildings? 

More information on this question
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.11: Were settlements dispersed or clusteredand what were the regional or chronological differences?

More information on this question
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.12: Can we determine land divisions? 

More information on this question
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.13: What were the styles and construction techniques of vernacular buildings?

More information on this question
More information:
This is of particular urgency as, in general, these are at significant risk. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.14: What were the origins and diffusion of ‘improved’ houses in the 18th and early 19th centuries?

More information on this question
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.15: What fuels were used in domestic hearths and contexts?

More information on this question
More information:
Investigation of hearths which can shed light on fuel choices, and if wood, what species in domestic contexts. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.19: What were the innovations and developments in farm buildings over this period?

More information on this question
More information:
Investigation of introduction of innovations in farm buildings such as covered cattle courts and construction of concrete buildings. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.20: How was different material culture used across the different social hierarchies?

More information on this question
More information:
Detailed investigation of material culture combined with documentary should be used to address questions on how unequal society was, how far down the social scale they were used, and issues of where they came from and how they were transported in the Highlands. Artefacts with good diagnostic dating which usefully could be focussed on included ceramics, clay pipes, snuff mills and snuff mulls, jaw harps, annular brooches, products of Highland silversmiths, communion tokens, beggars’ badges, gun flints, weight sets, trade tokens and coins, paying attention to provenance. Fieldwalking reports and excavation reports need to be combed, as often this information is an aside to prehistoric foci. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.22: How did people interact with and use land that many now see as ‘wild’?

More information on this question
More information:
Insights could provide much-needed evidence to inform contemporary debates and policies around land use. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.23: What was the place and role of the Traveller community in Highland culture?

More information on this question
More information:
More work identifying Traveller workmanship, mapping the remains of campsites and routes across the Highlands, and their place in Highland culture is needed. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.35: What was the social and economic impact of slavery and empire in the Highlands?

More information on this question
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

Industry

HARF Qu 10.16: Are there any regional patterns or dating changes for corn kilns? How do these compare with examples outwith the Highlands?

More information on this question
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.2: What were the boat building techniques?

More information on this question
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.24: How was the water resource managed in the Higlands?

More information on this question
More information:
There are many lades which go for quite some distance, lochs which have been drained, and of course the hydro tapping of all burns.  
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.25: What was the role of the Blacksmith in Highland communities?

More information on this question
More information:
Further work on the role of the blacksmith, with special focus on pre-19th century works. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.26: Where were the foundries, when did they operate and what products can be traced?

More information on this question
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.27: What were the architectural styles, regional and chronological differences of lime kilns?

More information on this question
More information:
further dating and investigation of lime kilns, both domestic and industrial, is needed, paying attention to architectural styles, and regional and chronological factors. Many appear on old OS maps, and could be checked on the ground for remains. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.28: When was flax introduced, how was it imported and how was it used locally?

More information on this question
More information:
further research into flax industry, including introduction of flax, importation, identification of retting ponds, and documentary evidence of local use and export. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.29: Where was legal distilling carried out?

More information on this question
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.30: What was the impact of hydro power, not only in changing the landscape, but also where it impacted on people’s ways of working and living?

More information on this question
More information:
identification via estate maps and investigation of legal distilling needed to complement growing body of evidence for illicit stills. Some may be in old inns. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.6: What evidence is there for linen production in the Highlands?

More information on this question
More information:
Environmental analysis should be undertaken to provide evidence of linen production, including evidence for flax growing and retting ponds. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

Religion and Ritual

HARF Qu 10.31: Can Highland styles and preferences of gravemarkers be identified?

More information on this question
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

Transport and Movement

HARF Qu 10.32: How did the work of Thomas Telford impact the Highlands?

More information on this question
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.33: What was the chronology of road building?

More information on this question
More information:
Work on Thomas Telford’s impact should be pulled together for a Highland-wide perspective, including post-Telford bridges to examine his influence on bridge engineering and design 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 10.34: What was the impact of sea travel and how important was it to life and work in the region?

More information on this question
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

Conflict

HARF Qu 10.36: What was the social and commercial interaction between the local communities and their new military neighbours?

More information on this question
More information:
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

Are there research recommendations that you think are missing?

Why not add your comment below which will be flagged to ScARF (or get in touch with ScARF directly) and new questions will be considered for addition at the next revision.

Leave a Reply