Sites In Scotland Research Articles

Architecture and sound: an acoustic analysis of megalithic monuments in prehistoric Britain

Prehistoric monuments in Britain are often dominant features in the landscape, and archaeological theory has tended to consider the visual and spatial influences of their architecture upon peoples' movement and perception. The articulation of sound within these structures has not been widely discussed, despite evidence which suggests that many monuments provided settings for gatherings of people. This possibility was explored at two contrasting sites in Scotland, a recumbent stone circle and a passage-grave, revealing that the elemental acoustic properties inherent in each may have literally orchestrated encounters with the stones.

Incidence of childhood brain and other non-haematopoietic neoplasms near nuclear sites in Scotland, 1975-94.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the risk of cancers other than leukaemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in children resident in the vicinity of nuclear sites in Scotland. METHODS: The study dataset comprised registrations...

Seasonal dynamics of leaf extension and losses to senescence and herbivory in extensively managed sown ryegrass–white clover swards

Tissue flow measurements of leaf material in Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass), Agrostis capillaris or Poa annua, and Trifolium repens (white clover) were made at three upland sites in Scotland (Hartwood, Sourhope and Fasque) in 1992/93 to determine if there were differences in seasonal growth, senescence and losses to herbivory between species in their response to more extensive sward management. The measurements were made monthly from May until October in established predominantly perennial ryegrass/white clover swards receiving three different treatments. One treatment received a conventional annual fertilizer application of 140 kg N/ha plus maintenance P and K and was grazed by sheep at a sward height of 4 cm (4F), whereas the other two treatments were unfertilized and grazed to maintain a sward height of 4 cm (4U) or 8 cm (8U).Significant sources of the variation in leaf appearance, increase in green lamina/petiole length (leaf extension), senescence and losses to herbivory were attributable to site, sward, species and date of measurement. The rate of leaf extension for all three measured species was less in 4U than 4F swards, and less in 4U than 8U swards. Leaf extension of L. perenne exceeded that of the other species, even in unfertilized swards, but rates of leaf appearance were less. There was some evidence in spring of a reduction in net growth as a consequence of removing fertilizer inputs and maintaining a sward height of 4 cm. Species differences in the losses of leaf tissue to herbivory were dependent on sward management. In the 4F treatment, leaf loss to herbivory from L. perenne tillers was greater than that from either A. capillaris, P. annua or T. repens in May, June and September. In the 4U treatment more leaf tissue was also lost from L. perenne than from T. repens. In contrast, there was no difference between grass species in losses to herbivory in either unfertilized sward. The responses of species to changes in fertilizer and grazing management were similar at three sites of differing fertility. The results are discussed in relation to plant competition and species dynamics in extensively managed swards.

Peat respiration at low temperatures

The peatlands of northern latitudes represent an enormous store of organic carbon. The decomposition of peat and the release of carbon dioxide is expected to increase with temperature as a result of climate change. CO 2 emission and O 2 uptake were measured during laboratory incubations of homogenised peat samples from 15 sites in Scotland. These were made either at fixed temperatures or in experiments where the temperature was steadily raised and lowered in 2°C steps, enabling Arrhenius plots to be made and the temperature response to be quantified as an activation energy or as a Q 10. The respiratory quotient varied with temperature and this led to higher Q 10 values for O 2 uptake than for CO 2 emission. Peats varied widely in their response to temperature; Q 10 values were between 2.2 and 19 with a mean of 4.8. For most peats the response was approximately constant over the range of temperature tested but a third of the peats showed a marked deviation over the range 1–5°C where Q 10 values increased considerably. Several published models describing the change in temperature response with temperature were applied to the data. A function in which the log of the soil respiration rate is a quadratic in temperature gave the best overall fit. Based on the observed laboratory Q 10 values, a rise in mean annual temperature of 5°C could potentially increase CO 2 emissions by a factor of 2- to 4-fold. For some peats at low temperatures (0–5°C) small changes in temperature could have a much more marked effect. This may be significant for the peatlands in Scotland and similar latitudes where soil temperatures are commonly within this range and where predicted temperature increases over the next 50 years may bring about a significant increase in peat decomposition rates.

Opportunities for endearment to place through electronic ‘visiting’: WWW homepages and the tourism promotion of Scotland

For the Internet to realise its full marketing potential a communication concept may be needed in the design of Web sites and their management by tourism businesses. This is the transposing of the concept of ‘endearment’ from actual to electronic visiting. This paper appraises tourism Web sites in Scotland to see how far such a concept has been developed. It also considers the drivers to the adoption of information processing by tourism businesses in Scotland, and the constraints emerging on this. The regional diversity of sites across Scotland is identified and the extent of the development of a communication concept is assessed.

A small mesolithic site at Fife Ness, Fife, Scotland

In the summer of 1996 work to build a new golf course on the coast at Crail in Fife, Scotland, uncovered a small patch of dark soil associated with microliths. Excavation revealed an arc of seven pits or post-holes, a hearth site and several other pit-like features. There was a small lithic assemblage, and also a quantity of carbonised hazelnut shell, samples of which were sent off for radiocarbon assay. The site was remarkable for several reasons: • Size Its size (75m2) was unusual in that most mesolithic sites in Scotland (and elsewhere) are often much larger. Small sites have played an important role in theoretical interpretations of the mesolithic way of life, but few have been excavated. • Lithic assemblage The lithic assemblage was small, even for such a small site, and comprised solely of flint, which is very rare in Scotland. There was relatively little knapping debris, but several retouched tools, over half of which were narrow blade microliths. The microliths were very interesting because they were dominated by crescentic microliths, while more common types such as scalene triangles were absent. • Dates A series of fourteen radiocarbon dates were obtained for the site and all centred round the same period: between 7400 and 7600 BC, calibrated. This was earlier than had been expected, and is an interesting addition to knowledge of the early settlement of eastern Scotland since most other early dates have been from west coast sites. The similarity of the dates adds weight to the argument that the site represents a single occupation which, in view of its size, is likely to have been of short duration. This, and the nature of the lithic assemblage, have lead us to the interpretation that the site was a specialised camp site, probably making use of coastal resources. Internet Archaeology 5. Wickham-Jones & Dalland Page 2 Table of contents Homepage List of Illustrations Summary 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Location 2.0 Structural Evidence 2.1 Description 2.2 Interpretation 2.3 Preservation 3.0 Dating 3.1 Method and results 3.2 Calibration 4.0 The lithic assemblage 4.

The use of microtephra horizons to correlate Late‐glacial lake sediment successions in Scotland

Evidence is presented to show that two measurable concentrations of microtephra particles can be detected in deposits of Late Devensian Late-glacial age in three sites in Scotland. One layer is attributed to the Vedde Ash, a marker horizon within the Younger Dryas chronozone. The second is a new tephra reported for the first time, which we name the Borrobol Tephra. This occurs consistently near the base of the Late-glacial Interstadial organic sediments at each site, and is thought to date to around 12.5 14C ka BP. Geochemical determinations using an electron microprobe confirm the identification of the Vedde Ash, suggest the Borrobol Tephra to have an Icelandic origin, and demonstrate the consistency of the geochemical signals at all three sites. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The use of microtephra horizons to correlate Late-glacial lake sediment successions in Scotland

Evidence is presented to show that two measurable concentrations of microtephra particles can be detected in deposits of Late Devensian Late-glacial age in three sites in Scotland. One layer is attributed to the Vedde Ash, a marker horizon within the Younger Dryas chronozone. The second is a new tephra reported for the first time, which we name the Borrobol Tephra. This occurs consistently near the base of the Late-glacial Interstadial organic sediments at each site, and is thought to date to around 12.5 14C ka BP. Geochemical determinations using an electron microprobe confirm the identification of the Vedde Ash, suggest the Borrobol Tephra to have an Icelandic origin, and demonstrate the consistency of the geochemical signals at all three sites. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Patterns of Barley Grain Development in Spain and Scotland and Their Implications for Malting Quality

ABSTRACTTo determine whether patterns of grain filling were consistent between seasons and different between sites in northern and southern Europe, the cultivar Troubadour and TR49, a mutant derived from it, were grown, over two seasons, at sites in Scotland and northern Spain. Differences in sowing date and climate were reflected in different patterns of grain filling. Ear emergence in Scottish grown barley occurred around the time when daylight hours were maximal; optimal photosynthesis was the likely explanation for the rapid increase in grain size observed at the Scottish site. Differences between the sites in temperature and rainfall were most evident during the last month of the growing season. In Scotland, where ripening occurred in cooler, more humid conditions, synthesis of hordein and β‐glucan followed the pattern of grain filling, reaching a peak at ~600 degree days after anthesis (the product of days after anthesis and average temperature). Levels then remained fairly constant until harvest ripeness was reached. In Spain, levels of hordein and β‐glucan rose virtually throughout the growing season. Differences observed at maturity, between Scottish and Spanish grown grain, in total nitrogen and β‐glucan levels were due to this accumulation in the later stages of growth. This was accompanied by a major change in the ratio of the constituent polypeptides of the storage protein and differences in the relative proportions of soluble and insoluble β‐glucan.

Multi-Element Analysis of Soils and Sediments from Scottish Historical Sites. The Potential of Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry for Rapid Site Investigation

This study highlights the potential of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the semi-quantitative, simultaneous multi-element analysis (SMA) of soils and sediments from historical settlement sites in Scotland. Semi-quantitative SMA is extremely quick (the turnover rate is approximately 15 samples per h) and is principally used for the rapid screening of samples. Here, it is shown that the semi-quantitative SMA of 32 elements is possible with acceptable levels of analytical precision following a HNO3-HClO4digestion procedure, thereby allowing the archaeologist the opportunity to appraise a site of interest for a large suite of potentially important elements. However, due to severe spectral interference on P with ICP-MS, this element is better determined with an alternative technique such as automated photometric instrumentation. Furthermore, despite the fact that ICP-MS has a dynamic working range of about six orders of magnitude, it was not possible to determine simultaneously all of the elements potentially available for detection in this study. The major soil elements are typically present in too high a concentration to enable their simultaneous determination with elements of low abundance, such as the rare earth elements. Hence, the elements such as Ca, Mg and K, all of which are of potential value to archaeologists, were determined by atomic absorption and flame emission techniques.

Site selection by swans wintering in Britain and Ireland; the importance of habitat and geographic location

Monthly surveys of Bewick's Swans Cygnus columbianus bewickii, Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus and Mute Swans Cygnus olor in Britain and Ireland were made during the 1990–1991 winter to determine factors affecting the swans' selection of feeding sites. Geographic location and habitat both influenced site selection. Whooper Swans occurred in greatest numbers at sites in Scotland, northeastern England and Northern Ireland, whereas Bewick's Swans had a more southerly distribution, reflecting differences in the migratory routes used by these two species. The resident Mute Swans were more widespread, with large flocks occurring in southeastern England and in parts of Scotland. Whooper and Mute Swans were found mainly on permanent inland waters (68% and 61%, respectively), but the majority of Bewick's Swans (60%) were on arable land. The percentage of Bewick's Swan flocks found on permanent inland waters (42%) was higher than that found on arable fields (23%), indicating that the large number recorded on arable land was a result of the birds congregating at a comparatively small number of sites. Overall, less than 15% of Whooper Swans and 3% of Mute Swans were on arable crops during the winter, but the largest flocks were associated with arable land for all three species. Thus, although the occurrence of large flocks at particular arable sites may give an impression that swans feed mainly on farmland, the swans are in fact more widely dispersed. Regional variation in the percentage of juveniles present was recorded for all three species. Changes during the winter in the distribution of juveniles, and of the swans as a whole, are considered in relation to food supply and to migratory routes for the Bewick's and Whooper Swans.

Soil Mg and Ni as causal factors of plant occurrence and distribution at the Meikle Kilrannoch ultramafic site in Scotland

summarySolution culture experiments were made using two subspecies of Cerastium fontanum and Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina (Bab.) Dalby and Festuca rubra L.of ultramafic and non‐ultramafic origin to test: (1) whether Mg and Ni toxicities are likely to exclude non‐ultramafic races of the three species; (2) whether tolerance to Mg and Ni toxicities by the ultramafic plants differed markedly among the species; and (3) to use (2) to generate a hypothesis about controlling factors of species distribution on the Meikle Kilrannoch (MK1) ultramafics. The solution cultures were based on soil solution extracts with experimentally varied concentrations of Mg, Ni and Na. The solution with high (7.5 HIM) Mg and high (0.7 mg l−1) Ni concentrations simulated the ultramafic soil solution. Care was taken to use a Fe source which did not react with Ni and microelements. Of the non‐ultramafic plants, the growth of Cerastium was reduced by high concentrations of Mg but not by Ni, whereas both the Cochlearia and the Festuca suffered severe reduction in biomass production in the presence of high Mg or Ni or both. Of the ultramafic plants, Festuca was tolerant of high Mg and Ni concentrations; Cerastium was less tolerant of high Mg; and Cochlearia had low shoot production in high Ni (although the effect was ameliorated by high Mg). The different interspecific responses of the ultramafic plants to Mg and Ni supported field observations that the three species might occupy microhabitats which differ in Mg and Ni.

Angiosarcoma of the liver in Great Britain in proximity to vinyl chloride sites.

OBJECTIVES: To study the incidence of angiosarcoma of the liver in England and Wales 1979-86 and Scotland 1975-87. To investigate whether any non-occupational neighbourhood cases occurred near a vinyl chloride...

Types of Scottish bog vegetation

Summary The main types of ombrotrophic mire vegetation in Scotland are described with reference to selected mire sites of national importance. The range of variation is controlled by two main environmental gradients, climate and altitude. In particular the degree of oceanicity is crucial, influencing both the vegetation and the hydro-morphology of individual mires. The framework described provided the basis for selection of 31 nationally important mire sites in Scotland identified in the Nature Conservation Review in 1977. Protection of these sites has been successful, except for two sites now afforested. Current threats to Scottish peatlands mainly relate to lowland raised mires.

Particle size distribution of wastes from freshwater fish farms

Waste water treatment on freshwater fish farms is problematic as waste material and water flows can vary greatly on a daily basis, and, in terms of effluent standards, fish farm effluent represents a dilute waste water output. A study was undertaken to investigate in detail the nature of the waste outputs under field conditions. Waste water samples were split by meshes into the following size ranges: >200µm, 200-100µm, 100-60µm, 60-30µm and <30µm. Waste water quality parameters, suspended solids (SS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and total phosphorus (TP) were examined for each size range at two freshwater fish farm sites in Scotland, as part of a wider investigation into waste water quality of aquaculture operations. Results indicated that during periods of peak waste output i.e. tank cleaning, approximately 80% of BOD5 and SS was present in a particle size range of 100-60µm, but only 66% of TP transport occurred in this size range. At other times, low levels (≤40%) of entrapment of wastes by the chosen meshes was observed, suggesting a reversion to predominantly dissolved material transport. Compared against a larger data set of outflow concentrations obtained from another section of the study, maximum removal rates of 46%, 48% and 30% for BOD5, SS and TP respectively were determined. The implications for waste water treatment at fish farms are discussed.

Measurement of Stress and Strain in an Unsurfaced Haul Road at a Soft Clay Site in Scotland

Strain coil sensors and pressure cells were installed in relatively large numbers in a trial haul road, constructed in Scotland, that was subjected to controlled trafficking. The instruments and their installation are described and their operation is discussed. The strain coils are shown to give a reasonably good measurement of both transient and plastic strains when placed in both unbound aggregate and cohesive subgrade soil, and data collection is shown to be facilitated by a new electronic apparatus. Sensors also have good survivability and are cheap to make and install. Pressure cells performed somewhat less well, because of apparent environmental survivability defects and inherent difficulties of installation and operation resulting from inhomogeneity generated in the surrounding ground. The cells were unable to monitor any (small) self-weight stresses.

The management of long term set-aside for nature conservation

Summary Long term set-aside offers an opportunity to create new grasslands which may be visually appealing and valuable for wildlife. These grasslands, whilst not equalling the nature conservation value of old semi-natural grasslands, may have higher value for wildlife than the arable crops and grass leys which they replace. In this paper we compare the nature conservation value of vegetation established by either natural regeneration or by sowing a seed-mixture based on MG5 Cynosurus cristatus — Centaurea nigra grassland on set-aside at two sites in Scotland. The initial results suggest that sown vegetation is generally more botanically diverse than natural regeneration. Sheep grazing resulted in reduced botanical diversity in the sown plots and early cutting, with cuttings removed and aftermath grazing by cattle, resulted in the highest diversity estimates. However, some effects of management treatment were site specific.

Incidence of childhood leukaemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the vicinity of nuclear sites in Scotland, 1968-93.

The primary aims were to investigate the incidence of leukaemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in children resident near seven nuclear sites in Scotland and to determine whether there was any evidence of a gradient in risk with distance of residence from a nuclear site. A secondary aim was to assess the power of statistical tests for increased risk of disease near a point source when applied in the context of census data for Scotland. The study data set comprised 1287 cases of leukaemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosed in children aged under 15 years in the period 1968-93, validated for accuracy and completeness. A study zone around each nuclear site was constructed from enumeration districts within 25 km. Expected numbers were calculated, adjusting for sex, age, and indices of deprivation and urban-rural residence. Six statistical tests were evaluated. Stone's maximum likelihood ratio (unconditional application) was applied as the main test for general increased incidence across a study zone. The linear risk score based on enumeration districts (conditional application) was used as a secondary test for declining risk with distance from each site. More cases were observed (O) than expected (E) in the study zones around Rosyth naval base (O/E 1.02), Chapelcross electricity generating station (O/E 1.08), and Dounreay reprocessing plant (O/E 1.99). The maximum likelihood ratio test reached significance only for Dounreay (P = 0.030). The linear risk score test did not indicate a trend in risk with distance from any of the seven sites, including Dounreay. There was no evidence of a generally increased risk of childhood leukaemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma around nuclear sites in Scotland, nor any evidence of a trend of decreasing risk with distance from any of the sites. There was a significant excess risk in the zone around Dounreay, which was only partially accounted for by the sociodemographic characteristics of the area. The statistical power of tests for localised increased risk of disease around a point source should be assessed in each new setting in which they are applied.

The role of volunteer potatoes in the spread of potato virus YN in ware crops of cv. Record

Summary.Surveys were made for the presence of potato virus Y (PVY) in the planted seed and harvested tubers in ware potato crops of cv. Record grown at three sites in England in 1994 (survey 1) and seven sites in 1995 (survey 2). PVY was not found in samples of planted seed, but high levels of infection were found in many, but not all, harvested crops. However, plants of volunteer potatoes (VP) (i.e. plants arising from tubers or true seed derived from previous crops and surviving in the soil) were frequently found to be infected.Infection in tubers harvested from crops in the first survey ranged from 2–52%. In 1995, VP were collected from two of the three English sites where potato crops had been grown the previous season and also from a site in Scotland where PVY infection in an experimental crop of cv. Record had been monitored in 1994. The percentages of infected VP ranged from 2–54%. PVYN was the predominant strain found in sampled VP, with only two plants (out of 300 infected) containing PVYO.In the second survey, VP were assessed within the 1995 ware crops and were found at four sites, at which they comprised between 4–8% of emerged potato plants. Between 31–93% of VP were infected. Again, PVYN was the predominant strain with one plant containing PVYO and another PVYC (out of 189 infected). A sample of harvested tubers from each site was also tested for PVY. At those sites which had many infected VP, the harvested crop contained a large percentage of infected tubers, ranging from 60–97%. Two sites which had not previously been used for cropping potatoes had no VP and a very low incidence of PVY infection in the harvested tubers (1% and 2%). However, although no VP were found at one site, 31% of harvested tubers were infected, suggesting that alternative inoculum sources may be important.

The effect of weather conditions on harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) haulout behaviour in the Moray Firth, northeast Scotland

Abundance data from a 6-year study (1988–1993) of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) were used to control for seasonal changes in haulout behaviour and assess the effect of temperature and other weather conditions on haulout numbers at a site in Scotland. A significant relationship between Julian day and haulout numbers was consistent between years. In some years, there was also a significant relationship between ambient temperature and haulout numbers, but examination of the residuals around the relationship between haulout numbers and Julian day revealed no evidence for a consistent effect of temperature, wind speed, or wind-chill adjusted temperatures. A weak negative relationship between haulout numbers and both precipitation and cloud cover did exist, but these variables explained little of the variation in seal numbers.