In 2002 a group of 15 local people put their names to a new Constitution to start the Yarrows Heritage Trust. They were enthusiastic for the local archaeological heritage and were keen to open up archaeology to others by creating paths, woodland walks, meetings and field events. 

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Two years later, on a field walk, they encountered some crumbling stonework falling into the Swartigill Burn. That led to a 21 year relationship with the amazing Iron Age site by the side of the Burn. In addition, in 2011, a team from AOC Archaeology led a community excavation at Thrumster Broch, on the land of one of the Trust members. 

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In later years the Trust acquired and then restored the old Thrumster railway station, on the now defunct Wick-Lybster Light Railway line, for use as an information and exhibition centre. They also created an adjacent community garden and woodland for use as a community amenity. 

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In February 2022 Yarrows Heritage SCIO was accepted by OSCR. The SCIO represented a more modern charitable status for the organisation. The old Trust finally closed down in 2024, with the business of Yarrows Heritage now conducted solely by the SCIO. 

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Further projects included the Thurster community excavation over two seasons, 2023 & 2024,  of a structure in a field in Thurster. We started by looking for the missing Thurster towerhouse, we finished with a detailed understanding of the life of a vernacular building. 

 

Then in October 2023, Yarrows Heritage was asked to take on the management of a newly discovered Pictish Stone. Eighteen months later that stone - now called Ulbster 2 Stone - was unveiled on a plinth in the magnificent Stone Room of the North Coast Visitor Centre (formerly Caithness Horizons). 

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The latest endeavour (2026) is to restore the signage, waymarking and infrastructure of the well-known Yarrows Trail, from which the organisation takes its name. 

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Membership of Yarrows Heritage has changed over the years. However, two of our current Trustees - Islay Macleod and John Inkster - have been Trustees since the beginning. The current Officers of the SCIO are Roland Spencer-Jones (Chair), Catherine Macleod (Treasurer) and Mary Shand (Secretary). The photo below shows all but one of the Trustees on the 2023 Thurster Community Dig.

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We are keen to welcome volunteers and friends, from the local community and/or further afield. If there's anything you're interested in, or anything you'd like to help with, do get in touch. 

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