Aficionados bring archaeology fortnight to conclusion
Over twenty archaeology experts will contribute to the final event of Highland Archaeology Fortnight - a seminar entitled “What’s New in Highland Archaeology?”. The event will be held at the Ramada Jarvis hotel, Church Street Inverness, on the weekend, of the 13th and 14th of October.
The two day seminar will be opened and chaired on the Saturday by battlefield expert and co-presenter of the BBC series “Two Men in a Trench”, Dr Tony Pollard, who is Director of the internationally renowned Centre for Battlefield Archaeology at the University of Glasgow. On Sunday the seminar will be chaired by Piers Dixon of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS).
The event is free and members of the public are invited to come along and find out about the recent archaeological discoveries and research in the Highlands which have been made over the last year. Attendees are very welcome to drop in for as much or as little of the event as they wish
On Saturday, Dr Pollard will introduce various speakers reporting on their findings including: Dr Alex Hale and Tom Parnell of RCAHMS; John Wood, Highland Archaeology Services Ltd; Meryl Marshall and Ronnie Scott of the North of Scotland Archaeological Society (NOSAS); Sally Foster from Historic Scotland; Claire Herbert, Alba Archaeology (Highland) Ltd; Dr R M Callender, Golden World; Susan Kruse, WEA Scotland; and Anne Coombs, Historic Scotland
On Sunday 14th October, Piers Dixon, RCAHMS will introduce speakers: Eric Soane, Highland Historical Search Society; Ian Suddaby, CFA Archaeology Ltd; Campbell Slimon, Laggan Heritage; Tertia Barnett and Allan Kilpatrick of RCAHMS; The Glen Clova SRP Group - Graeme Collie; Bill Marshall, Braemar Community Ltd; Gordon Sleight, of Historic Assynt; Hannah Cobb, University of Manchester; John Barber, AOC Archaeology Group; Mark Roberts, Headland Archaeology; and Jacquie Aitken of Clyne Heritage Society.
Highland Council’s Project Asset & Archaeology Manager, Dorothy Maxwell said: “The first week of the festival has been extremely successful with some schools taking part in special archaeology themed events. Now, with the start of the school holidays, the programme includes more events for the whole family, hands-on activities for children and more in-depth events for adults. The seminar is always a popular finale event, with people travelling from all over the Highlands and further afield to attend.”
“Event organisers all over the Highlands have, as usual, put in a great deal of imagination and effort in putting these events together. We would like to thank them for their continued support.”
Co-ordinated by Highland Council’s Archaeology Unit, which is part of the Planning and Development Service, the festival’s events are organised by a wide range of community groups, interested individuals, museums and professional bodies.