The Hidden Heritage of a Landscape – Vengeful Vikings and Reckless Rustlers project was Highly Commended in the Council for British Archaeology’s national Marsh Award for Community Archaeology 2014.

The community-led initiative aimed at uncovering the hidden heritage of the local landscape, which provide a vital link between the Clyde sea lochs and inland Scotland.

As part of the project the trust and Northlight Heritage archaeologists also spent a few weeks digging to find dwellings and artefacts from the 18th and 19th Centuries.

Throughout the ages, the isthmus – or narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas – was used by Vikings to portage their boats from Loch Long to Loch Lomond, by the MacFarlanes to grow their crops, by drovers to take their cattle to market, and by Victorian tourists keen to experience the Scottish Highlands.

Speaking about the award, Duncan McLachlan, chairman of Arrochar and Tarbet Community Development Trust, said: “This is fantastic news, and we commend all our team. We believe this honour is very much deserved and a just reward for everyone involved and for all the work that went into the project. It’s great to see the community’s efforts recognised by the upper echelons of the profession.” The accolade recognises and promotes innovation and quality in the dissemination of the results of archaeological research and/or field work carried out by communities, through publication, communication, and archiving.

The Hidden Heritage project involved volunteers in all stages of its investigations, and clearly presented its results via a website, leaflets, interpretation panels, books, and even a slate mosaic conveying Arrochar Primary School pupils’ reflections of the landscape.

A photography book, a place-name book researched by volunteers, and an interactive DVD also provided accessible insights into the heritage of the area.

Finally the Isthmus Tapestry, stitched by local enthusiasts, has been exhibited across Scotland, telling the stories hidden within the landscape – from Neolithic flint-knappers, to Viking boat dragging, to the building of the West Highland Railway Line.

The Hidden Heritage project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Argyll and the Islands Leader from 2012-2014.

The project used a combination of documentary research, surveying and excavation to shed light on some of the many people who have used the isthmus landscape between Arrochar and Tarbet over the centuries before and after the Vikings famously dragged their boats across this strategic strip of land.

From a fantastic range of nominations, Arrochar and Tarbet’s Hidden Heritage of a Landscape project was the only Scottish project to receive a High Commended, alongside three other shortlists project from across the UK.

The overall winner was the Restoration of Carwynnen Quoit project from Cornwall.

For more information about the Hidden Heritage Project, please visit www.hiddenheritage.org.uk.