Bute Museum
Archaeology & History Gallery
The Isle of
Bute has many well preserved archaeological and historical sites. This wealth
of sites is reflected in the Bute Museum collection, which is one of the finest
in the country for a museum of its size.
The
earliest exhibits are a collection of flint, including some microliths,
from a site near Kilchattan Bay. They date from the
Mesolithic period (7000-3800BC). During the Neolithic period (c. 3800-2500BC)
many cairns were erected across the island and finds from these are on display.
Of particular interest is the stunning collection of Neolithic pots, excavated
by Dorothy Marshall from Glenvoidean, at the north
end of the island. Domestic life in this period is represented by finds from
the settlement at Townhead.
The Bronze
Age (c. 2500-500BC) was the time of the building of the stone circles at
Ettrick Bay and Kingarth. Burials of this period were
in cists, which were sometimes covered by round cairns. Many of these have been
excavated on the island and the wealth of grave goods recovered from them are on display in the Bronze Age cases. A magnificent jet necklace, decorated food vessels and flint tools
show the skills of the Bronze Age people. A rare Bronze Age axe mould, found at
Dunagoil is also on display.
The Iron Age(c. 500BC-500AD) was the time of the fort builders. The
strongholds of these people dot the landscape of the island. Dunagoil Fort, at
the south end of the island, was a site rich in finds. It was excavated in the
early part of the 20th century and a whole case is devoted to it,
giving a real insight into how the people lived. Metal weapons were being
manufactured, exemplified by the crucibles and moulds found on the site.
Spindle whorls, a weaving comb, bone bodkins, bowls and jewellery show the
domestic and artistic side of these people.
The written
record of life on Bute begins in the Early Christian period. For the first time
we know the names of some of the people. Chapels are dedicated to St Blane, St Ninian and St Marnock. From these sites come a magnificent
display of elaborately carved stones. These include the Inchmarnock cross, a stone from St Blanes
carved with a horseman, and the remains of a cross known as the MacAlister stone which is
carved with various birds, beasts and celtic designs.
The Vikings
visited the island many times, taking a particular interest in the castle. A rare Viking sword hilt, found near
The church
played an important part in the lives of the people of Bute and it is well
represented in the form of church pewter and an extensive collection of
communion tokens. The secular life of the last few centuries is reflected in a
very comprehensive collection of ‘bygones’ from tools to toys – everything a Brandane (Bute person) might need. Farming was an important
source of employment so it has its own case. There is also a case dedicated to
trades and professions, including the fishing industry and the cotton mills,
both vital to the 18th/19th century island economy.
The Bute tourist industry began in Victorian times and has
been central to the island ever since. Model steamers, photographs and part of
a paddle box from the Duchess of Fife retell the
story of ‘coming doon the water,’ while Punch and Judy, ginger beer bottles and programmes for the
Winter Garden concerts will rekindle memories of past holidays for many
visitors.
Memorabilia
of wartime Bute, from the Napoleonic to the 2nd world war, form
another collection and the bell from HMS Varbel is a reminder of the island’s important role as
a submarine base.
The
island’s history from early man to the 21st century is all here in
one room.
|
|
||
|
Please email comments to: webmaster@butemuseum.org |
Page last modified 31 Mar 2006 |
|
