Call to return historical treasures to North Uist 10/11/11
Calls to have the array of historical artefacts excavated from Udal in North Uist conserved and displayed on the island are backed by MSP Alasdair Allan.
Many of the historical items uncovered under the sand dunes on the Grenitote machair are hidden away in a museum store in Glasgow.
The archeological treasures hail from occupants through the ages until the Udal site was evacuated after a storm in the 1690s. Evidence of a Neolithic settlement and a Viking fort have been found.
Alasdair Allan said: "The Udal artefacts represent an amazing array of finds from periods as far removed as the Neolithic and Viking ages.
“Decades after it was first brought to light, this huge collection is only now beginning to be properly recorded and conserved. I believe that it's time the public in the islands got a chance to see some of this material on a permanent basis. Items as varied as ancient combs, coins and pottery are all beginning to shed light on the life of people in Uist over a period of thousands of years.
"I will be joining the team of archaeologists currently working on the collection and community representatives when they meet Culture Secretary, Fiona Hyslop, later this month, we will be making the argument that a long term home in the islands for these objects would bring cultural and economic benefits to the local community."