Amongst later prehistoric settlement types found in Scotland, hillforts offer particular scope for exploring diverse linkages through Britain and Ireland to the nearer continent. A selection of these will be outlined, from aspects of the architecture of their defences, through evidence for violence and the use of fire in their destruction, to the character of the societies they may have contained.

Ian Ralston is Abercromby Emeritus Professor of Archaeology, Edinburgh University; and was formerly non-Executive Chair of CFA Archaeology. His career began at Aberdeen University. He has held visiting positions in Paris and Budapest; and at the University of the South, Tennessee. He has chaired the Scottish Group of CBA, the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel, and the Institute of Field Archaeologists. He is a former President of this Society. He has published primarily on Scottish archaeology, the European Iron Age and applied archaeology.