‘Scotland’s Glastonbury’ unearthed in Wigtownshire

The remains of an extensive Iron Age loch village” have been uncovered by archaeologists in the first discovery of its kind in Scotland.

The site in Wigtownshire appears to have been a settlement of at least seven houses built in wetlands around a small loch, Historic Scotland said.

Experts believe the significant find could be “Scotland’s Glastonbury”, a reference to the lake village in Somerset said to be a spot of international significance.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the discovery at the Black Loch of Myrton was an “exciting and unexpected” find.

Historic Scotland said the dig began as a small-scale pilot excavation of what was initially thought to be a crannog in the now-infilled loch, which was under threat of destruction as a result of drainage work.

But during the excavation, archaeologists and local volunteers found evidence of multiple structures making up a small village.

The dig was part-financed with £15,000 from Historic Scotland and it was carried out by AOC Archaeology Group.