Over £16,000 awarded to research projects exploring Scotland’s past

The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland announced today that it has awarded funding to 10 projects committed to researching stories from Scottish history.

The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland supports high-quality research and publication relating to Scotland’s past by making several grants and awards twice each year. This round awarded £16,323 to 10 projects researching an aspect of Scottish history or archaeology, including: a community dig at Govan Old near Glasgow (pictured below); determining a precise date and geographic origin for 14 boat burials identified across Scotland and the Isle of Man; investigating the antiquarian travels of Robert Wilson and the artefacts he brought back to Scotland, and more.

Dr Suzanne Lyle FSAScot, Vice President of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and Convenor of the Grants and Awards Committee, said:

“In the year ahead we are awarding funding to projects undertaken by researchers across a range of fields relating to Scottish history. This exciting research is supported by Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and we very much look forward to seeing the outcomes which will help us all to learn more about Scotland’s past.”

Dr Simon Gilmour FSAScot, Director of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, said:

“The Society is proud to support projects which undertake cutting-edge research, and it is fantastic to see an increasing number involve the public and local community in making these historic discoveries. The discovery of the ‘Govan Warrior’ has stimulated renewed interest in Govan’s local heritage and the grant from the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland will ensure that during 2024 the community is able to actively participate in the archaeological fieldwork. The Society’s Grants and Awards scheme is made possible through the support of our Fellows. If you would like to support high-quality research into Scotland’s past, why not join our 2,500-strong network of Fellows across the globe?” 

The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland grants are open to everyone, and the next deadline is 30 November.

The full list of Summer 2024 awardees and their project titles are:

• Daniel Claggett FSAScot – Metallurgical and radiocarbon analysis of Viking Boat burial sites in Scotland and Isle of Man 

• Dr Murray Cook FSAScot – Fairy Knowe: Roundhouse dating part 2    

• Prof Stephen Driscoll FSAScot – Govan Community Dig 2024  

• Nyree Finlay FSAScot – Excavations at Clachbreck, Argyll – post-excavation  

• Dr Emily Gal – Sgeir nam Portan 

• Kirsty Lilley FSAScot – ‘Places in between’: investigating landscapes and monuments in the Scottish Iron Age 

• Tom Morton – Earthbound Orkney

• Andrew Newby FSAScot – The Antiquarian Travels of Robert Wilson  

• Prof Gordon Noble FSAScot – Dundurn Redating Project 

• Dr Shane McLeod FSAScot and Prof Alexandra Sanmark FSAScot – Dating of Wood from Tarbert Kintyre