The National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Art Fund, the Scottish
Government, and National Museums Scotland have all generously
contributed funds to acquire the Iron Age gold found in September
2009 at Blair Drummond, near Stirling.
The gold torcs will now join the National Collections, and an ex
gratia reward payment of £462,000 will be made by the Queen’s and
Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer (QLTR), Catherine Dyer, to the
finder, David Booth.
The four gold neck ornaments date from between the 1st and 3rd
century BC, and excavations showed they were buried inside a wooden
building, perhaps a shrine. They are exquisite examples of Iron Age
craftwork and include a unique braided gold wire torc which shows
strong Mediterranean influences. The torcs reveal the wealth and
connections of people in Scotland at that time.
Dr Gordon Rintoul, Director, National Museums Scotland,
said:
"We are delighted to have secured this stunning hoard for
display in Scotland’s national museum. We already attract over
600,000 visitors a year from Scotland and across the world, and
expect many more when the fully redeveloped Museum opens this
summer. The Hoard is certain to become one of the highlights of a
visit to the Museum."
The funding breakdown is:
The National Heritage Memorial Fund £154k, The Art Fund £100k,
National Museums Scotland £123k and Scottish Government £85k.
Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Culture and External Affairs, the
Scottish Government said:
"These four gold torcs are a significant find for Scotland’s
national collection and this government is delighted to help
acquire these impressive items for the nation.
"This is the most important hoard of Iron Age gold ever found in
this country and I congratulate the National Museum of Scotland on
its successful fundraising campaign to ensure that it remains here
and will be on free display for the general public.
"The opening of the redeveloped Museum this summer will be one
Scotland’s cultural highlights in 2011 and this display will
enjoyed by visitors from home and across the globe."
Speaking of the find, the Queen’s and Lord Treasurer’s
Remembrancer (QLTR), Catherine Dyer said:
"I am pleased to announce that I accept the recommendation of
the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel (SAFAP) and
these wonderful items have been allocated to National Museums
Scotland.
"This is a very significant find, the most important hoard of
Iron Age gold ever found in Scotland. That these stunning artefacts
have been unearthed in such excellent condition after being buried
for 2000 years is simply amazing."
Dame Jenny Abramsky, Chair of the National Heritage Memorial
Fund, said:
"These torcs are absolutely extraordinary, offering
unprecedented insight to Iron Age skill and craftsmanship. I
am delighted that crucial funding from the National Heritage
Memorial Fund has now secured these most precious Scottish heritage
treasures for future generations to enjoy."
Stephen Deuchar, Director of the Art Fund, said:
"We are thrilled that the money has been raised to enable these
fascinating torcs to go on public display in Scotland. They are
going to absolutely the right place where generations can learn,
enjoy and be inspired by them, and experts can carry out important
research. This is a great example of how private and public funds
work together to save important heritage items."
The torcs will go on temporary display in Hawthornden Court, the
main courtyard of the National Museum of Scotland, before permanent
display in the Early People gallery, which tells the story of the
earliest people in Scotland.