News | Posted April 7, 2026
New Society Book Transforms Our Understanding of the Picts
Our new book brings together 10 years of archaeological research which has transformed our understanding of the Picts.
Rhynie, A Powerful Place of Pictland cover art (Image credit: Bryan Angus)
Rhynie, A Powerful Place of Pictland: The development of a landscape of Pictish royal power from the Roman to the early medieval period by Professor Gordon Noble FSAScot presents the results of three major excavations in the Upper Strathbogie Valley, Aberdeenshire: the Craw Stane elite complex and the hillforts of Tap o’ Noth and Cairn More.
Offering a transformative reassessment of power, settlement and material culture in Late Roman Iron Age and early medieval northern Britain, this volume provides the first comprehensive analysis of a Pictish central place complex.
Integrating artefactual, environmental, stratigraphic and scientific datasets, Rhynie, A Powerful Place of Pictland explores themes of rulership, cult and connectivity between northern Pictland and the wider European world. It establishes Rhynie as a key locus for understanding sociopolitical formation in early medieval Scotland and suggests new models for the emergence of polity, economy and identity in Late Roman and post-Roman northern Europe.
The book was published following a successful Kickstarter fundraising campaign which saw more than 400 people collectively contribute over £18,000 to create a printed version.
Dr Helen Spencer FSAScot, Head of Research at the Society, said:
‘At the heart of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland’s mission is a commitment to empowering research and disseminating knowledge of the past. We are, therefore, immensely proud to publish this nationally important monograph, which will have a major impact on the study of Pictish kingship and society.
‘We extend our sincere gratitude to all the funders who made this publication possible, especially to the public and our Fellows (members), whose support of the crowdfunding campaign ensured the physical preservation of this work and its inclusion in UK national libraries.’
Rhynie, A Powerful Place of Pictland is available as an open access e-book and physical copies can be purchased from our online shop, with a 20% discount for Fellows of the Society.
The publication of Rhynie, A Powerful Place of Pictland was made possible thanks to Historic Environment Scotland, The Pictish Arts Society, the Hunter Historical and Archaeological Trust and the crowdfunding campaign backers.