Iron Age artefacts unearthed in crannogs have gone on display at the Scottish Crannog Centre in Perthshire. A tiny whistle made from shrub twigs, an arrowhead, an iron knife and a woven basket are among the new items added to the Kenmore centre's collection of artefacts found in the ancient loch dwellings. The display was unveiled as the centre reopened its doors after a winter break. Footage and photos taken at the site of a Neolithic underwater forest have also been added to the exhibition rooms. The preserved remains of 5,000-year-old oak and elm trees were discovered under Loch Tay last year.
     Visitors to the centre later in the year will be able to learn how crannogs were built, thanks to an animated exhibition to be installed in the spring. The exhibition will transform archaeological drawings and photographs into 3D images which recreate how a 2,500-year-old crannog was put together. The animation has been based on years of findings from excavations of the Oakbank crannog on the north bank of Loch Tay. A range of archaeological and environmental events are also being lined up at the centre throughout the spring. For information, call 01887 830583.

Sources: The Press and Journal, This is North Scotland (16 March 2006)