This exclusive tour will offer Fellows an expert-led introduction to the internationally important Govan Stones in Glasgow.

The Govan Stones is an internationally important museum collection of early medieval carved stones displayed at Govan Old Parish Church in Govan, Glasgow, Scotland.

The carved stones come from the surrounding 1,500-year-old early medieval churchyard and include the Govan Sarcophagus, five Anglo-Scandinavian style Viking-Age hogbacks, four upright crosses, the ‘Govan Warrior’ carving, and a wide range of recumbent cross-slab burial monuments, with most seemingly dating to between the 9th and 11th centuries AD.

Faced with closure of ‘Govan Old’ in 2007 and the loss of unarguably Govan’s greatest historic asset, the community – led by social enterprise Govan Workspace – worked tirelessly on a rescue plan which finally came to fruition in 2016 when a new charitable trust took ownership, the Govan Heritage Trust.

Then, a year later, with over 2,000 votes, the Govan Stones was the most popular site in the 2017 Hidden Gems competition (run by the Society’s Dig It! project) in which 12,000 votes were cast.

The artefacts held at ‘Govan Old’ comprise one of the most impressive collections of early medieval sculpture found anywhere in Europe. Remarkably, every single one of these Viking-age treasures has lain in Govan Old churchyard for over 1,000 years.

Known as the Govan Stones, the exhibition shines a light into a dark period of history before the nation of Scotland ever existed, when warlords battled for control of the British Isles and Viking longships caused mayhem along our coasts and waterways. Carved from as early as the 9th century, these monuments and their symbols represent some of the best surviving evidence of the powerful and expansive early medieval Kingdom of Strathclyde. Now rehomed inside the church, the Govan Stones give an insight into the wealth, power and dominance of the early medieval period in Scotland.

Places for this free, in-person tour are strictly limited to 20 people and are available on a first come, first served basis. Registration is essential.

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Throughout the year, Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland are invited to exclusive online and in-person events. They are one of the benefits of Fellowship and provide opportunities to network, meet other Fellows, and learn and discuss areas of shared interests related to Scotland’s past.

If you are not a Fellow and would like to support our work as a charity while enjoying the many benefits of Fellowship, find out how to join or subscribe to our public e-newsletter.

When: Thursday 8 October, 11am – 1:30pm (UK time)

Where: Govan, Glasgow