Britain's landscape abounds in such mysteries – and the landscape of Bute is no different – which is why the Discover Bute Landscape Partnership Scheme (DBLPS) has been busy over the past two weeks trying to solve one of the many archeological mysteries of the island – the lost church of Quien.

Led by Paul Duffy, Discover Bute's deputy project manager for archaeology, a team made up of Bute residents, students and local volunteers, and ranging in

experience from beginners to veterans, has been carrying out careful archeological excavations at the site of Old Quien, above Scalpsie Bay.

The site is an unusual rectangular structure within an enclosure, and was first recorded during a survey of deserted settlements by Buteshire Natural History Society (BNHS) in 1994.

Later partnership work between Discover Bute, the BNHS and the Royal Commission for Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland had suggested

that the tumbled stone walls looked

very similar to known early Christian chapel sites from Bute and other places in Argyll.

However, the usual sources of additional evidence which often point to an old church site, such as a place name beginning with 'Kil' (Gaelic for church), along with documentary and map evidence, or even locally-remembered stories don't appear to exist for Quien.

The other– equally exciting – possibility was that the site was a medieval building, possibly an early farm. Although there is a lot known about the medieval burgh of Rothesay, definite evidence for rural sites of this age is rare, and the discovery of a building which would give insight into how medieval people lived in the countryside would be just as valuable in archeological terms as identifying the site as a church.

Aerial photographs and documents gave some clues about the structure then, but the only way to really solve the mystery was to get out and get down to some careful excavation to look for physical evidence to help us to understand it better – and that's what the Discover Bute team did.

Furnished with an assortment of spades, shovels, trowels and brushes, they embarked on two weeks of fieldwork in order to try and understand whether the site was indeed the lost church of Quein.

More than 60 volunteer days of work were contributed to the dig by people ranging in skills from the very experienced to complete beginners, from as close as Kilchattan Bay to as far away as British Columbia in Canada.

Four trenches were opened up around the site and showed that the structure and the enclosure wall were built broadly at the same time, and that the structure wall itself was a well-made, clay-bonded rubble core wall, faced on both sides with dressed stone.

Several artefacts were also recovered, including a stone spindle whorl, loom weight or fishing weight, a piece of eight hundred-year-old medieval pottery, several fragments of corroded iron objects, a rubbing stone, and what may well turn out to be a glass bead.

This combination of evidence probably suggests at this stage that the site is more likely to be a medieval building rather than an early Christian church.

The end of the story? Far from it. In fact the samples and artefacts recovered during the excavation are being sent to various specialists throughout Scotland for further work, while charcoal recovered from the floor level inside of the structure will also be sent for radiocarbon dating, which should provide the team with a fairly accurate date for when the structure was in use.

Paul Duffy said: "The opportunity to excavate the site is a real personal pleasure, and we will undoubtedly learn new things about Bute's past through the dig.

"Equally important is that the dig has provide an opportunity for me to work with local people, to help them learn and develop archeological skills and take part in a dig in the beautiful landscape of Scalpsie.

"We've had people with us who have never done this before, and who have quickly discovered the real joy of being out in the fresh air and excavating a place where people lived and walked hundreds of years before them."

Paul continued: "My thanks go to John Dickson and the Bute Estate for allowing us to be here and to all whose work, enthusiasm and good humour helped make the excavation such an enjoyable two weeks.

"I'd hope that anyone who has ever sat in front of Time Team and wondered what excavating a real site would be like will be encouraged to join us in our programme of archeological work which will be happening over the summer and autumn."

And what did the volunteers make of their experiences on the hillside at Old Quien? One, Sheila McKenzie, a volunteer from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, told us: "I've been coming to Bute every summer for the last 15 years or so, and usually spend my time walking, relaxing and playing golf.

"I've always been interested in the archaeology that you can see in the Bute landscape, and have watched digs on the television, but this is the first time I have been able to take part in a real live excavation.

"I've had a great time, and between the golf, hiking and archaeology, I think I would definitely rather be doing this!"

Fiona Watson, a student from Skelmorlie, said: "Archaeology is a real hands on history, a chance to get out and look at it, touch it and help make new

history."

And local resident Donald Kinnear added: "I've never done archaeology before and this was a great chance to find out about it and have a go – it's been fascinating, a really great experience."

From more of an academic perspective, Cathy MacIver, who is a post-graduate student at Glasgow University, recently joined the Discover Bute team as part of her own work in the field of archaeology, but she told us she'd always had a keen interest in the built landscape of Bute.

"Paul had been in touch and had spoken to me about the project at Scalpsie," Cathy said.

She added: "I had been here with a colleague last September doing geophysical studies, which included scans underneath as well as above the ground, which was a fantastic experience.

"Paul had told me about the Johnny Bute Bursary, which helps fund projects such as Discover Bute, and I'm pleased I applied for it, as it's helped me gain a better understanding of Bute's archaeology, and has allowed me to continue work in my own areas of interest."

Cathy also spoke of "a wonderful experience" on Bute, and told us she appreciated Paul's help in allowing her to take charge in some areas where she'd usually be fairly restrained.

The Discover Bute team will continue their investigation of sites on the island in September and as always, volunteers and anyone with a basic interest in archaeology is more than welcome to join them.

For more information about the Discover Bute project, or to get in touch with a co-ordinator about volunteering on one of their many projects, visit www.discoverbute.com or call on (01700) 501357.