School of Humanities / Sgoil nan Daonnachdan

Interlace panel from the Govan sarcophagus, carved for the bones of St Constantine, c. 900 AD

Donald Adamson

 MA in Modern History and Economics, New College, Oxford University 1978

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Post-Grad Diploma in Accounting, Heriot-Watt University 1979
CA, Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland 1983
Formerly HM Inspector of Taxes 1983-88
Tax Manager and Partner in KPMG 1988-2006
MLitt in Archaeological Studies, University of Glasgow 2008
PhD Candidate 

Room: 322
Gregory Building
Lillybank Gardens
Glasgow
G12 8QQ
Telephone: +44 (0) 141 330 3925 (dept)
Fax: +44 (0) 141 330 3544
d.adamson.1@research.co.uk

 

Research Title

Commercialisation before Culloden: An archaeology of the re-direction of food surpluses in the Scottish Highlands prior to 1745.

 

Research Abstract

The proposal is to research the evidence for the commercialisation of the Scottish Highlands in the period before 1745 by focussing on the archaeology of the re-direction of food surpluses out of the Highlands. In particular, modern commentary based on documentary evidence has argued that the “cash crops” of the Highlands in this period were cattle and grain. The growth of cattle marketing is evidenced in archaeological terms by the existence of drove roads, associated structures (such as enclosures and stances for the cattle, and shielings/bothies for the men) and the markets themselves. Equally the grain trade is evidenced by grain houses (girnels) and ports for the export of grain. However, despite a wealth of archaeological evidence, recent historical research has yet to be matched by an in-depth archaeological analysis of the subject. Indeed, the leading book on Scottish drove roads was written as far back as 1952, and not from an archaeological perspective. There is therefore a significant gap in existing knowledge. If this could be filled, it would be of interest not only in archaeological terms, but also contribute to the wider understanding of the changes taking place in the Highlands of Scotland before 1745.

The research will begin with a review of secondary sources, analysis of historic maps, and the available archaeological information to identify major drove routes and grain stores/ports in existence before 1745. This will then provide the focus for further documentary research (manuscripts and published sources) and for targeted archaeological field-work. It is intended to identify and focus on key drove routes, market sites and grain outlets which will be used as case-studies, for the detailed analysis of Early Modern commercial infrastructure and practice (See below for detail).

Through the combined approach of historical archaeology (documentary, cartographic and archaeological research) this work will address a series of connected interpretative themes:

  • The logistics, infrastructure and practices of the cattle and grain trades, i.e. how did these operate in practice?
  • The social context: what did the development of these trades mean for Highland society and how did society change as a result? What were the implications for farming communities, the gentry and Estates of the Highlands, the routes and settlements on the drove roads, and the major market sites themselves? All of this will be interpreted in the wider theoretical framework of the archaeology of capitalism, and especially the rise of the individual over community.
  • How does this add to recent archaeological approaches towards roads, transport and communications?
  • Through a comparison of several case studies, similarities and differences will be explored so as to understand the significance of these trades and their operation in different contexts.  For example, were there significant differences in practices between estates/clans, or between regions, or over time? Did the social impact vary, and if so, why?
  • How does the archaeology relate to recent historical research in relation to changes in the Scottish Highlands before 1745?

The research seeks to evaluate the importance of the archaeology of drove roads and grain ports to our understanding of the transformation of Gaelic society, as it adapted to market forces, in the centuries before 1745.  The research hopes to make a significant contribution to knowledge by investigating the practices and social context of the cattle and grain trades through the combined analysis of archaeological, documentary and cartographic sources.

 

Supervisors

 Dr Chris Dalglish


Dr Michael Given

 

Teaching Experience

Formerly a lecturer at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland in taxation issues for the Post Qualification Education programme.

Eighteen years experience in lecturing at KPMG in taxation and management issues for both KPMG staff and clients, including chairing many seminars.

 

Other Archaeological Experience

Non-Executive Director at GUARD.

Fieldwork experience with Birsay-Skaill Landscape Archaeology Project.