Historians at the Universities of Dundee and Aberdeen have embarked on a joint project to complete the latest series of Historic Scotland-commissioned Burgh Surveys.
The team is working on comprehensive studies of Fraserburgh, Tain, Kirkwall and Wigtown/Whithorn.
The main object of the Burgh Surveys is to identify those areas which are of archaeological and historic urban interest and require sensitive treatment in the event of proposed development. The research is also of more general interest since it examines the geography and topography of the town, its known archaeology and history, its historic standing buildings and the origins of its street names.
A detailed well-illustrated book on each of the four towns will be published by Historic Scotland as the three-year project - involving archive and archaeology research and the study of old plans, maps and photographs - progresses.
Dr Richard Oram, the project leader, who is based in Aberdeen University, said, "This is an important project in a whole range of ways. It is not just a group of academics conducting a specialist exercise that is of purely academic interest. It is about demonstrating through its history and archaeology how the living organism of a modern town was shaped and evolved, and providing guidance for future developments."
Professor Charles McKean, who is leading the Dundee University side of the project said, "We have to get beneath the skin of each town to understand why a town is there, its culture, why and when it grew. This will ultimately provide guidance to planners as to the genius loci, or spirit, of the place, what is sensitive and what is not."
Professor McKean can be contacted on 01382 345738.