7.30 pm, Regent Lecture Theatre Speaker: Kirsty Dingwall, Headland Archaeology The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty project, or Aberdeen Bypass as it is commonly known, is a major transport infrastructure project in the north-east of Scotland. The construction of the new road around the western limits of the city of Aberdeen and its surrounds provided an excellent opportunity to examine the archaeology of the region, cutting across sections of the landscape which have rarely been investigated until now. As…
Find out more »Please note change of date from that advertised in printed Programme, now Wednesday 21st February 2018 (Venue: Kelvin Hall Lecture Theatre, 1445 Argyle Street, Glasgow) Lecture given by Dr Anita Quye, Senior Lecturer, Conservation Science, History of Art, University of Glasgow. Many perspectives on the often colourful world of historical textiles are gained through scientific and historical research of material culture evidence in heritage collections. The particularly rich legacies of Scotland’s textile-producing past in museums and archives have led the…
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Lecture given by Dr Jon Henderson, Associate Professor, Department of Archaeology, University of Nottingham. Joint lecture with the Prehistoric Society Pavlopetri, off the coast of Laconia, Greece, is the oldest submerged town in the world with remains dating from at least 3,500 BC through to the end of the Mycenaean period c.1,100 BC. Recent underwater research has traced structures over 8 hectares of seabed consisting of intact domestic buildings, larger public constructions, courtyards, streets, graves and rock-cut tombs. As the…
Find out more »March 13th, 7pm-8pm, (with Reception @ 6.30pm) Inverness Townhouse, Castle Street, Castle Wynd, IV1 1JJ Lecture given by Dr Jon Henderson, Associate Professor, Department of Archaeology, University of Nottingham. Joint lecture between the Society, High Life Highland and the Prehistoric Society. Pavlopetri, off the coast of Laconia, Greece, is the oldest submerged town in the world with remains dating from at least 3,500 BC through to the end of the Mycenaean period c.1,100 BC. Recent underwater research has traced structures over…
Find out more »7.30 pm, Regent Lecture Theatre Speaker: Juliette Mitchell, University of Aberdeen Juliette Mitchell is an AHRC-funded PhD researcher in Archaeology and her work focuses on the monumental burials of early medieval Scotland, exploring their landscape settings and considering how they reflect social transformation in the first millennium AD. Juliette graduated with an MA in History from the University of Glasgow. While working as a Project Manager in a Stirling-based GIS company, she developed her interest in archaeology through community and…
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Guest speaker: The lecture will be given by Colin T Fraser FSA Scot, R. L. Christie Works of Art. Since the seminal exhibition ‘Silver; Made in Scotland’ held by the National Museum of Scotland in 2008 there has been a greater appreciation and understanding of the Scottish Goldsmiths craft. Over the past 10 years many new discoveries have been made and new light has been shed on previously well-known pieces. This talk aims to illustrate and discuss these new finds…
Find out more »(Venue: Regent Building Lecture Theatre, Aberdeen) Lecture given by Colin T Fraser FSA Scot, R. L. Christie Works of Art.
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Rhind Lectures 2018 Sponsored by The Antiquary, a Tomatin Distillery whisky ‘Drystone technologies: Neolithic tensions and Iron Age compressions’ Dr John Barber MA, BA, FSA, FSA Scot, MCIfA The technical engineering capacities of prehistoric builders of large Neolithic and Iron Age structures are intriguing. Invasive introduction has been the favoured explanatory mechanism for structural innovation in these islands, rather than the converse appeal to domestic design genius. However, drystone engineering so constrains the builders’ design ambitions that similar structures…
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On the 250th anniversary of the Edinburgh publication of the first edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, the National Library of Scotland and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland are hosting a public lecture by Professor Stephen W Brown on William Smellie. William Smellie was a co-founder of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and editor of the first edition of the Britannica, as well as William Buchan’s Domestic Medicine, the Scots Magazine, and the first transactions of the Society of…
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The Society is delighted to announce that in association with Yarrows Heritage Trust the Rhind Lectures will be repeated over the weekend of 21-23 September in Wick. The venue is the Pulteney Centre, Huddart Street, Wick, Caithness KW1 5BA. Booking is recommended by calling the Centre on 01955 608530. For full details please email Ian Giles, Yarrows Heritage Trust secretary iangiles01@btinternet.com. The Rhind Lectures Wick 21st -23rd September 2018 Supported by Lybster & Tannach Community Fund ‘Drystone…
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Lecture by Professor Roger Mercer OBE MA FSA HonFSAScot FRSE HonMCIfA The lecture will, through the medium of the excavation of two sites, trace the development of native Society in Eskdale and the likely impact upon it of the presence of the substantial garrison in the Carlisle area examining the economy upon which both Roman and native depended.
Find out more »Lecture by Professor Roger Mercer OBE MA FSA HonFSAScot FRSE HonMCIfA The lecture will, through the medium of the excavation of two sites, trace the development of native Society in Eskdale and the likely impact upon it of the presence of the substantial garrison in the Carlisle area examining the economy upon which both Roman and native depended. Please contact Dumfries Museum on 01387 253374 to reserve a free place at the lecture or via email (dumfries.museum@dumgal.gov.uk)
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Lecture by Kirsty Archer-Thompson BA MA FSA Scot, The Abbotsford Trust For Sir Walter Scott, the objects, furniture and antiquities in his collection were portals to the past and critical inspiration for his historical fiction. Join the custodian of this remarkable collection to hear more about the ongoing journey of the Abbotsford Trust to better understand, care for and open up this material legacy to researchers and enthusiasts from around the world. Kirsty will highlight key case studies and curatorial projects from the recent…
Find out more »Lecture by Kirsty Archer-Thompson BA MA FSA Scot, The Abbotsford Trust For Sir Walter Scott, the objects, furniture and antiquities in his collection were portals to the past and critical inspiration for his historical fiction. Join the custodian of this remarkable collection to hear more about the ongoing journey of the Abbotsford Trust to better understand, care for and open up this material legacy to researchers and enthusiasts from around the world. Kirsty will highlight key case studies and curatorial projects from the recent…
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Lecture by Ruth Pollitt, Museum and Collections Assistant, Edinburgh University Anatomical Museum In 2006, while completing her Master of Arts in Museum Studies at Newcastle University Ruth undertook an historical research dissertation of an Edinburgh surgical instrument maker Archibald Young & Son. The aim was to uncover the firm’s history and in doing so provide information for museums and exhibitions and to provide a method for dating instruments in collections. Her presentation draws on the results of these findings.
Find out more »Lecture by Ruth Pollitt, Museum and Collections Assistant, Edinburgh University Anatomical Museum In 2006, while completing her Master of Arts in Museum Studies at Newcastle University Ruth undertook an historical research dissertation of an Edinburgh surgical instrument maker Archibald Young & Son. The aim was to uncover the firm’s history and in doing so provide information for museums and exhibitions and to provide a method for dating instruments in collections. Her presentation draws on the results of these findings. Free - no booking required.
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Lecture by Dr Claire Hawes FSA Scot, University of Aberdeen Following the digital transcription of Aberdeen’s earliest burgh council registers by a project at the University of Aberdeen, this lecture will give an overview of the corpus. It will focus on the importance of these books for our understanding of early Renaissance Scotland, and introduce some of the intriguing characters and interesting stories we have uncovered along the way. This lecture is joint with the Scottish History Society.
Find out more »Lecture by Dr Claire Hawes FSA Scot, University of Aberdeen Following the digital transcription of Aberdeen’s earliest burgh council registers by a project at the University of Aberdeen, this lecture will give an overview of the corpus. It will focus on the importance of these books for our understanding of early Renaissance Scotland, and introduce some of the intriguing characters and interesting stories we have uncovered along the way. Free - no booking required. This lecture is joint with the Scottish History Society.
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Lecture by John Malden M.Phil, FMA, FHSS, FHS, FSA Scot, President Heraldry Society of Scotland Royal Heraldry was a statement of territorial claim and marriage. Mary’s use of the Royal Arms of England caused a severe diplomatic row. A various armorials were produced during and after her reign, especially by the Hamilton family as next in line to the throne. Following her execution Mary was given a state funeral by the guilt conscious Queen Elizabeth for which detailed accounts survive.
Find out more »Lecture by John Malden M.Phil, FMA, FHSS, FHS, FSA Scot, President, Heraldry Society of Scotland Royal Heraldry was a statement of territorial claim and marriage. Mary’s use of the Royal Arms of England caused a severe diplomatic row. A various armorials were produced during and after her reign, especially by the Hamilton family as next in line to the throne. Following her execution Mary was given a state funeral by the guilt conscious Queen Elizabeth for which detailed accounts survive. Free - no…
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Lecture by Dr Lisa Brown MA(Hons) MSc FSA Scot MCIfA, Historic Environment Scotland The application of science as a tool for analyzing and interpreting archaeological remains is becoming much more commonplace. From the first measurements of the radiocarbon dates almost 70 years ago, providing an increasingly robust understanding of the chronology of the past, through to ancient DNA and isotopes, giving an insight into people’s diet and where they come from. This lecture will explore some of the challenges and opportunities of working with…
Find out more »Lecture by Dr Lisa Brown MA(Hons) MSc FSA Scot MCIfA, Historic Environment Scotland The application of science as a tool for analyzing and interpreting archaeological remains is becoming much more commonplace. From the first measurements of the radiocarbon dates almost 70 years ago, providing an increasingly robust understanding of the chronology of the past, through to ancient DNA and isotopes, giving an insight into people’s diet and where they come from. This lecture will explore some of the challenges and opportunities of working with…
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Lecture given by Finlay McKichan FSA Scot Thursday 18 April (6.30pm reception for 7pm lecture) N.B. Venue change! The lecture will now take place in the Inverness Museum & Art Gallery (IMAG) on Castle Wynd, Inverness, IV2 3EB, not the Town House as previously stated. The time and date remain the same. Holding the lecture in the IMAG gives opportunity for a few items from the collection not usually on public display but related to the subject of the lecture…
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Sorry, this event is fully booked on all days. Email info@socantscot.org to go on the waiting list for returns. Auditorium, National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh (Use Lothian Street entrance on Friday, Main entrance Saturday and Sunday) Professor David Breeze OBE, BA, PhD, Hon DLitt, FSA, Hon FSA Scot, FRSE, Hon CIfA Hadrian’s Wall: A Study in Archaeological Exploration and Interpretation Hadrian's Wall was written about even when it was still in use as a frontier. Interest continued through the next 1000 years, but it was…
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Lecture: In conversation with Hamish Torrie FSA Scot (The Glenmorangie Company), Dr Adrian Maldonado (National Museums Scotland) and Dr Heather Pulliam (University of Edinburgh) The medieval kingdom called Scotland was not a predestined or obvious outcome of the politics of the first millennium AD. Even in the twelfth century, Britain north of the Tweed was a patchwork of laws, languages and identities. Do the art and artefacts of the 9-12th century provide a different perspective on the formation of a…
Find out more »Lecture: In conversation with Hamish Torrie FSA Scot (The Glenmorangie Company), Dr Adrian Maldonado (National Museums Scotland) and Dr Heather Pulliam (University of Edinburgh) The medieval kingdom called Scotland was not a predestined or obvious outcome of the politics of the first millennium AD. Even in the twelfth century, Britain north of the Tweed was a patchwork of laws, languages and identities. Do the art and artefacts of the 9-12th century provide a different perspective on the formation of a…
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Unfortunately Dr Batey is unable to deliver her lecture on Monday evening. Instead several early career researchers have very generously stepped in at late notice to give us a flavour of current and recent Viking research: Chris Cooijmans: "Abandon Ship: Examining Viking Encampment across Continental Europe" Like any other early medieval mariner, vikings venturing across the Frankish waterways would not have been perpetually on the move. As hunger and fatigue may have induced individuals to make landfall, so too would…
Find out more »Unfortunately, due to circumstances outwith our control we have had to cancel this event at short notice. We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused. Lecture by Dr Colleen Batey FSA Scot (Institute for Northern Studies, University of Highlands and Islands) It is 20 years since the seminal volume Vikings in Scotland: an archaeological survey was published by Edinburgh University Press (EUP) under the authorship of James Graham-Campbell and Colleen Batey. This period has brought many changes to our understanding…
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Lecture by Derek Hall CertPracArch FSA Scot, (archaeologist and ceramic specialist)
Find out more »Lecture by Derek Hall CertPracArch FSA Scot, (archaeologist and ceramic specialist) Free - no booking required
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Sorry - this event is now fully booked! Our warm thanks to James Ritchie Clockmakers for proudly sponsoring the event. The lecture will be given by Dr Tacye Phillipson (National Museums Scotland) and Dr John C. Taylor OBE (horologist and inventor), and delivered in conjunction with the National Museums Scotland. Dr Phillipson will provide an overview of the variety and development of clockwork during the 17th century. Dr Taylor will uncover the innovation of Scottish watchmaker, David Ramsay (c1585-1660), Chief Clockmaker to King…
Find out more »Our warm thanks to James Ritchie Clockmakers for proudly sponsoring the event. The lecture will be given by Dr Tacye Phillipson (National Museums Scotland) and Dr John C. Taylor OBE (horologist and inventor), and delivered in conjunction with V&A Dundee. Dr Phillipson will provide an overview of the variety and development of clockwork during the 17th century. Dr Taylor uncovers the innovation of Scottish watchmaker, David Ramsay (c1585-1660), Chief Clockmaker to King James I and first master of the Worshipful Clockmakers Company…
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Lecture by Graeme Cruickshank MA AMA FMA FSA Scot (independent scholar). The Scottish potteries of the industrial era produced vast amounts of wares, with dozens of factories in a number of towns producing millions of items annually, far more than the domestic market could assimilate. Huge quantities of goods were exported, decade after decade, with the erstwhile British Empire being a prime target. The potteries of Glasgow took advantage of the situation with unparalleled zeal. Lecture free, but booking advised to avoid disappointment.
Find out more »Lecture by Graeme Cruickshank MA AMA FMA FSA Scot (independent scholar). The Scottish potteries of the industrial era produced vast amounts of wares, with dozens of factories in a number of towns producing millions of items annually, far more than the domestic market could assimilate. Huge quantities of goods were exported, decade after decade, with the erstwhile British Empire being a prime target. The potteries of Glasgow took advantage of the situation with unparalleled zeal. Free and no booking required. Places available on…
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Unfortunately Professor Annelou van Gijn is unable to deliver her lectures for the Society and Prehistoric Society on Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 March. While we have had to cancel our Aberdeen event on Tuesday, tonight's lecture in the NMS Auditorium will be going ahead as usual, with a lecture by Dr Matthew Knight FSAScot, entitled “Fragments of the Bronze Age. The destruction and deposition of metalwork in Britain.” There will be an opportunity as usual for Q&A at the end…
Find out more »Unfortunately Professor Annelou van Gijn is unable to deliver her lectures for the Society and Prehistoric Society on Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 March. We have had to cancel our Aberdeen event on Tuesday but the Monday evening lecture in the NMS Auditorium in Edinburgh will be going ahead as usual, with a lecture by Dr Matthew Knight FSA Scot, entitled “Fragments of the Bronze Age. The destruction and deposition of metalwork in Britain.” We apologise for the inconvenience. Lecture by Professor…
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This year, Orkney International Science Festival will celebrate Scotland's Year of Coasts and Waters with a variety of online events celebrating the sea and our islands. On Sunday 6 September, tune in to The Science of the Ness, a talk in association with the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, where members of UHI Archaeology Institute will describe ongoing scientific analysis of finds from the world-famous multi-period site, the Ness of Brodgar. Dr Ingrid Mainland FSAScot will discuss animal teeth and clues to the prehistoric inhabitants' possible marine diet, and…
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Lecture by Robert Betteridge (NLS), Nick Holmes (NMS) and Lorna Mitchell (RBGE) Wednesday 30 September 2020 Following his appointment as “Intendant” of the Physic Garden by the founders Robert Sibbald and Andrew Balfour James Sutherland went on to obtain a Regius Professorship of Botany and appointment to the position of King’s Botanist. In this talk we will learn more about the one of the founders of the Garden that was to become the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and explore Sutherland's…
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Dr Lindsey Büster FSAScot and Professor Ian Armit FSAScot will present a lecture on The Sculptor's Cave, Covesea, re-examining its use from the Bronze Age to the Picts.
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Dr David Caldwell presents his President's lecture prior to retiring from office.
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The 2020 Rhind Lectures on Neolithic Scotland are delivered by Archaeologist of the Year Dr Alison Sheridan FSAScot
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Marilyn Palmer explores the ways in which elements of comfort and convenience were introduced into Victorian and Edwardian country houses.
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Caroline Brown examines how the creation and curation of archives impacts not just on history but on our world today and the direction we take into the future.
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In this online talk, Susan Morrison will shine a light on several Scottish women (from the 1700s to 1900s) who, against all odds, achieved great things for the many.
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Dr Rory MacLellan presents a lecture on the conspiracy theories around the Templars, or groups inspired by them, and how this fame has also led to darker appropriations.
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As well as a renowned writer and novelist, a keen antiquary and collector, Sir Walter Scott was President of the RSE and was also Vice President of the SoAoS and long-term Fellow of both societies.
Find out more »Three memorial lectures in collaboration with Orkney International Science Festival, to attribute three late Fellows, John Hedges, Raymond Lamb, and Euan MacKie. Several of the speakers are Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland who will be hosting and highlighting the session.
Find out more »The Society of Antiquaries of London and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland are delighted to announce a joint online lecture for this autumn. Professor Steven Mithen FSAScot will present an lecture focusing on his work at Rubha Port an t-Seilich, Isle of Islay, Scotland.
Find out more »Sponsored by AOC Archaeology Group, The 2021 Rhind Lectures "Untimely Ends" will be delivered by Professor John Hunter OBE BA PhD FSA FSAScot MCIfA FCSFS, focusing on his research interests in the study of the dead and forensic archaeology. This will be the Society's first hybrid event with the Rhind Lectures that is taking place in the NMS auditorium and online.
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THURSDAY 28TH APRIL 2022, 6.00PM BST AUGUSTINE UNITED CHURCH, 41 GEORGE IV BRIDGE, EDINBURGH AND ONLINE Fellows are invited to register to attend this Meeting either in person or online. This will be a hybrid event. Numbers are restricted to 100 people in person, so book early to avoid disappointment. This event will be followed by a short drinks reception. Due to possible future pandemic restrictions it might be necessary to move this event to fully online only. Please keep an eye on the…
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