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Exploring the Magnificent Ecclesiastical Palaces of Scotland

Almost any traveler to Europe can tell you about the incredible medieval architecture that dots its landscape. Scotland ranks among those countries with the finest examples of this period of history. Did you know that the Medieval bishops of Scotland were among the great nobles who spearheaded the construction of some of its finest cathedrals, churches, halls and castles? Their residential palaces were at the very least as impressive as the finest castles and manors of the Land. Through the Scottish Episcopal Palaces Project (SEPP) the University of Wales at Lampeter is investigating the development of bishops' palaces in Scotland up to the end of the episcopacy in the closing of the 17th century. The investigation of their residences will provide the basis for answering questions about the relationship between ecclesiastical and castellar architecture, and the physical and allegorical aspects of bishop's palaces in their landscape setting. In exploring the multi-functional roles of medieval bishops' palaces, SEPP investigates how the bishops conducted their pastoral and temporal work in a manner suited to their lordly status, taking into account their need for defense on spiritual as well as on physical levels.

Initially, SEPP has focused on the medieval dioceses of Aberdeen and Moray, where the project's research has identified fifteen possible episcopal sites. Detailed work has been conducted on two in particular: Kinneddar (diocese of Moray) and Fetternear (diocese of Aberdeen). In 2009, a team of students and volunteers, under the direction of Dr. Penny Dransart, will continue excavating the site of Fetternear. The site is important because it was the summer palace of the bishops of Aberdeen. It was associated with Bishop Cheyne at a time when Scotland was subjected to the invasion of English forces under Edward I. The palace was rebuilt in the 1330s by Alexander de Kininmund, a cleric associated with the Declaration of Arbroath (1320), which is Scotland's Declaration of Independence from England. The structure and surrounding area continued to undergo changes through time, making it a complex subject of study.

The Fetternear project team is inviting students and volunteers to join them this summer as they continue to uncover the architectural features and associated remains and artifacts of this informative site. It will provide the opportunity to not only excavate buried remains, but also to record and study the standing architecture. One of the project goals is to uncover more of the palace's surounding moat, which has some unusual features. This excavation opportunity offers another rather unique element -- the dig fee is............FREE. If you are interested in participating, find out more about it at www.lamp.ac.uk/archanth/staff/dransart/fetternear.htm and contact Dr. Penny Dransart at p.dransart@lamp.ac.uk.