Figure 31: A model of the Leamington Scow which illustrates the potential for vessel reconstruction using direct archaeological data without the luxury of the builders plan, ©Headland Archaeology.
Model ships and boats were made for a variety of reasons (Roach 2007; 2008), including for commemorative, leisure, decorative, religious, and training purposes, as well as aids for construction. They can therefore shed light on a range of aspects of past maritime and marine culture and represent a considerable, though currently inadequately catalogued resource.
Future areas of research would include the social aspects of model sailing (particularly in fishing communities such as at East Fife and Peterhead, the Peerie Sea, Kirkwall, or in Glasgow parks) as well as the interpretive potential in comparing models with extant and wrecked ships.