HISTORY buffs, volunteers and local community figures were treated to a fascinating evening of local archaeological updates at the Benarty Centre on Thursday.

Over 50 people were in attendance to hear the results of survey work that has recently been carried out on the site of Lochore Castle.

The key speakers were local historian Professor David M Munro OBE and archaeologist Dr Oliver O’Grady and it is hoped that a full 64-page report on their findings will be available online soon.

Professor Munro provided the ‘warm-up’ by giving an informative and engaging talk on the history of Lochore Castle and the surrounding area. He described it as a “very special place with a long and fascinating history that means something to the community.” His presentation featured various old maps as well as stories of characters and noblemen from Lochoreshire’s past and comparisons with this region of central Fife as we know it today.

The castle is known as a strong building that stood on an island in a loch that was drained but has since come back again. The structure itself is in ruins but the Living Lomonds Landscape Partnership (LLLP) have plans to conserve it, raise awareness and raise funds. “It’s up to us now”, according to Professor Munro.

The second part of the evening was a presentation from archaeologist Dr Oliver O’Grady about the little that now remains of the castle and why it is so significant.

Until recently the site was overgrown but a huge effort has been made.

Among the features that have been uncovered or suspected below the surface include a causeway, latrines, a secret gate, a gatehouse, courtyards, drainage, a hall and a fireplace.

Dr O’Grady said that we can now re-imagine the function of the site, with a collapsed cellar and inner bedrooms and that we can now picture a little community living on the island.

As one of the strongest castles in Fife, things have now been pinpointed for excavation in the future including a potential harbour or landing place.

Dr O’Grady explained that it was unusual for a high Norman Lord to be on an island but that this is was a particularly ‘Scottish’ or ‘Irish’ thing to do. Questions are now being asked about whether or not the castle had a pre-Norman significance and there is even more to be discovered further underground.

After the evening’s presentations the Times spoke to Dr O’Grady further about the project.

He said, “I have been impressed and pleased to work with the people at the site. We are starting to reveal the site now as the project name suggests. I kind of see us like we are taking the baton from well known, enthusiastic and very active local historian, Eddie Henderson, who worked back in the 1950s and 60s, 70s and 80s.

“As community heritage goes, this is becoming a bit of a perfect project. It is positive in every way, I annot see a negative myself.” He added, “It would be extremely valuable on a national picture, from a research perspective, to be able to investigate this site. We are approaching the Castle Studies Trust to set Lochore into a national and international context.

“The castle is quite an extraordinary example of its type with its very early tower house and it could reveal some very interesting things about the national research agenda for Scotland.

“Living Lomonds is more than just Lochore but the castle is a flagship project.” Dr O’Grady went on, “There has been some fantastic people to meet, lots of welcoming people. Tony, the chair of Benarty Heritage Preservation Group, for example, and Jim Campbell, from Crosshill, did a lot to get the project off the ground. I forget more names than I mention.

“We have got fantastic support with people coming from far afield. People sometimes see archaeology as a niche interest, but community archeology has grown in the past ten years.

“It is great for people’s health and confidence. Archeology is good for you, that would be basically my message.” Restoration is now the key and there is a target to meet as all interested parties are very keen to preserve Lochore Castle for future generations. Help has already come from the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland, but there is still a way to go.

There is a shortfall in funding but Benarty Heritage Preservation Group have been acting as a forum to try and raise the required funds.

The group made an appeal to visit www.justgiving.com/Lochore Castleappeal where members of the public or local businesses can donate to the cause.

The entire cost of the preservation is £350,000 but £250,000 has already been secured. The community target is £25,000 with a further £75,000 being sought from bigger, external sources.

Scaffolding alone will cost £30,000 for example.

But as the Heritage Group said, “If we do not preserve it we will lose it.”