Visitable archaeologies

Although archaeological sites presented to the public are generally bound up within the heritage and tourism spheres today, visits to sites reflect the wide variety of roles which archaeological sites play. As well as being incorporated within the myriad option of tourist attractions, archaeological sites are important symbols linked to personal or national heritage and identity, as well as being connected with a sense of place and providing a tangible connection to the past, real or imagined.

Based on research into public perceptions of archaeological sites, this paper will look at two case studies of the interpretation of archaeology in Scotland, Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness, and Yarrows Archaeological Trail, in Caithness. It will reflect on the ways these sites have been presented, before looking in more detail at the ways in which people engage with the sites.