Lecture given by Dr Jacqueline Riding, Historian, Author and Honorary Research Fellow, Birkbeck College, University of London. In the autumn of 1745 Charles Edward Stuart established a court at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, an episode that was later described by Andrew Lang as ‘his little hour of royalty.’ Yet, at this time, no one could have predicted for certain the outcome of the prince’s campaign. This lecture will challenge Lang’s glib assessment of the Stuart court at Holyrood,…
Find out more »(Venue: Regent Building Lecture Theatre, Aberdeen) Lecture given by Dr Jacqueline Riding, Historian, Author and Honorary Research Fellow, Birkbeck College, University of London
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(Venue: NMS Auditorium, Edinburgh) Lecture given by Professor Ted Cowan Hon FSA Scot, Emeritus Professor of Scottish History and Literature, University of Glasgow. This lecture seeks to explore and assess enlightenment influence upon the inhabitants of the Scottish Borders. It also asks whether it is possible that folk with surnames such as Hume and Scott, up to their necks in all kinds of violence, feuding, skullduggery and general mayhem, through to 1603 could, two or three generations later, transform or…
Find out more »Regent lecture Theatre, Aberdeen. Fiona Musk, NHS Grampian Archivist. In Sickness and in Health: NHS Grampian Archives. The development and future of the Archives and what these historic collections can tell us about the history of the North East of Scotland.
Find out more »(Venue: Dumfries Museum, Dumfries) Lecture given by Professor Ted Cowan Hon FSA Scot, Emeritus Professor of Scottish History and Literature, University of Glasgow. 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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(Venue: Grassmarket Centre, Edinburgh) Including a lecture given by Peter Yeoman FSA FSA Scot MCIfA on the subject of 'Columba's Heavenly House', followed by a drinks reception sponsored by Tomatin Distillery Co. Ltd. (Please note the different venue and start time of this year's AGM).
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Lecture given by Isla MacLeod, Registers of Scotland. Created by the 1617 Registration Act of the Parliament of Scotland, the General Register of Sasines was the first of its kind in the world. Whilst it is probably one of the lesser known world firsts chalked up for Scotland, its impact has been fundamental – here and aboard. The story of the General Register of Sasines and the organisation responsible for it, Registers of Scotland, reflects the social, economic and political…
Find out more »(Venue: Regent Building Lecture Theatre, Aberdeen) Lecture given by Isla MacLeod, Registers of Scotland
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Lecture given by Dr Tatiana Ivleva, School of History, Classics and Archaeology, University of Newcastle. The lecture presents new research conducted on the Romano-British glass bangles as part of the EU-funded project ‘GLOBALGLASS: Global glass adornments event horizon in Late Iron Age and Roman-period frontiers’. The talk will provide updated information as to the arrival of craft to Britain and discuss the craft itself, presenting new findings relating to the manufacture of the objects.
Find out more »(Venue: Regent Building Lecture Theatre, Aberdeen) Lecture given by Dr Tatiana Ivleva, School of History, Classics and Archaeology, University of Newcastle.
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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 University of Glasgow to investigate the significance and preservation needs of this fascinating material culture. Presented in this talk are research projects for Turkey red…
Find out more »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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ARP 2018 – bookings now open! The national conference examining recent and ongoing archaeological projects across Scotland will take place at the Engine Shed in Stirling on Saturday 26th May 2018. This conference is supported by Historic Environment Scotland and is delivered in partnership with Archaeology Scotland and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. The all-day conference gives the audience the opportunity to hear first-hand about the most recent archaeological projects across Scotland and should not be missed. Offering great…
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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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Join us for a special preview of the Scottish Applied Arts sale with our friends at Lyon and Turnbull, who have kindly offered to host the event for a third year. A series of short talks by experts from the National Museums of Scotland, The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and Lyon & Turnbull will be followed a drinks reception and private viewing of the forthcoming Scottish Silver & Applied Arts auction. Speakers: Dr Sarah Laurenson | Curator | National…
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The Scottish Crannog Centre, Loch Tay – Saturday 11th August Let us take you back 2,500 years to the early Iron Age...... Crannogs are a type of ancient loch-dwelling found throughout Scotland and Ireland, built as individual homes to accommodate extended families. Scotland's award winning crannog reconstruction on Loch Tay was built by The Scottish Trust for Underwater Archaeology to promote the research, recording, preservation and interpretation of Scotland's underwater heritage. Fellows of the Society will be treated to…
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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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Including a short lecture on ‘Paints and Pigments in the Past: Redecorating the Antonine Wall Distance Stones’, presented by Dr Louisa Campbell, Honorary Research Associate (Archaeology), University of Glasgow. Followed by a wine reception. Please note the time and venue: 4.30pm at Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EL
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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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join us for an afternoon of talks and discussion on Scotland's relationships with Europe past and present, with roundtable speakers representing the Centre for Nineteenth-Century Studies at Durham University, the Society of Dix-Neuviemistes and the RSE funded project Establishing SNNEC. Distinguished guests include Professor Sir Tom Devine OBE FRSE HonMRIA FBA FSA Scot who will present a lecture on How Highlandism Conquered Europe: From Sir Walter Scott to Brexit. Discussion will be followed by a wine reception. Organised by the…
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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…
Find out more »Saturday 13 April (3pm). National Museum of Scotland auditorium, Edinburgh. Discuss and explore how science, technology and innovation in archaeology are used to unlock secrets of the past, with the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland’s Fellows Dr Alison Sheridan and Dr Lisa Brown, chaired by theoretical physicist, science author and broadcaster Professor Jim Al-Khalili. Presented and organised by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, as part of the 2019 Edinburgh International Science Festival. Free but booking required. For information and…
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Thursday 18 April (10am – 5pm), drop-in and free. National Museum of Scotland, Hawthornden Court. With Dig It! Unlock St Kilda’s secrets for the first time in Minecraft! On World Heritage Day explore a digital reconstruction of one of Scotland’s six World Heritage Sites and experience life on the extreme western frontier of Europe. From the Bronze Age to the 20th century, discover the hidden story of the prisoner of St Kilda and uncover the archaeology of the island’s prehistoric…
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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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Venue: Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), 22-26 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2PQ The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is managing the event this year (with our partners Archaeology Scotland) and the conference programme includes exciting new research findings and best practice in archaeology covering all periods from across Scotland and beyond. Event sponsored by: Historic Environment Scotland (HES), Forestry & Land Scotland (FLS), AOC Archaeology Group, Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), GUARD Archaeology, Wessex Archaeology, LUC and SUERC. The full…
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SUMMER EXCURSION 2019: Saturday 6th July New Lanark and Biggar Museum Join us for a fascinating tour of this unique 18th century mill village sitting alongside the picturesque River Clyde. Now one of Scotland’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, New Lanark was founded in 1786 by David Dale, who built cotton mills and housing for the mill workers. In partnership with Robert Owen, a Welsh philanthropist and social reformer, New Lanark became a successful business and an early example of…
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The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and Lyon & Turnbull are delighted to work together on an event which celebrates Centuries of Craftsmanship. The Sales Preview reception consists of welcome and introductions, two short talks by experts on historic interiors, dyes and textiles research, followed by a drinks reception and private viewing of the forthcoming Scottish Silver & Applied Arts auction. Speakers: Dr David Caldwell FSA Scot | President | Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Dr Anita Quye FSA Scot |…
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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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ANNIVERSARY MEETING (AGM) SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2019 AT 4.30 PM AUGUSTINE UNITED CHURCH, 41 GEORGE IV BRIDGE, EDINBURGH, EH1 1EL AGENDA 1. Welcome by the President 2. To approve the Minutes of the last Lecture meeting, 11 November 2019 3. Motion 1: Change to Law 4 4. Motion 2: New Subscription Type 5. Closure of the Ballots 6. The Treasurer’s Annual Report 7. The Director’s Annual Report 8. Presentation of the RBK Stevenson Award 9. Presentation of the Murray Medal…
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