I have been involved in excavations at Govan Old since 2023, and the site has played a major part in developing my survey skills. After the University of Glasgow suddenly but temporaraly discontinued the GIS course I had planned to take, I decided to defer my studies for a year and teach myself GIS, photogrammetry and related software. Govan provided an opportunity to put what I was learning into practice, although I only began taking responsibility for recording the excavations once I had built up the confidence and experience to do so.

I experimented with different recording methods, made mistakes and gradually refined my approach. These experiences taught me the importance of careful survey planning, checking results and understanding the limitations of the equipment. They have also helped me develop workflows that are both methodical and efficient.