Renfrewshire: A Scottish County’s Past

Renfrewshire is largely ignored in the general studies of Scotland’s cultural heritage. “Renfrewshire: A Scottish County’s Hidden Past” redresses the balance and for the first time provides an overview of the archaeological evidence for the county, which includes Local Authority Areas of Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde. Surprisingly, close examination reveals a wide variety of sites and artefacts that relate to the full range of prehistoric and historic human activity in Scotland. From the first flints left by the Mesolithis hunter-gatherers to the imposing remains of Renfrewshire’s industrial past, which are among some of Scotland’s earliest examples. Although there have been over 40 major excavations over the years, until now the county’s archaeological heritage has been hidden away. Re-examining the old surveys and excavations, and combining them with the ever-increasing new work, Derek Alexander and Gordon McCrae have provided a fascinating summary to inform future research and inspire excitement about this county’s rich heritage.

Reviews of Renfrewshire: A Scottish County’s Past

'An illuminating look at a county that perhaps gets less attention than it deserves' – Scotland in Trust