Archaeology & History

The Archaeological and Historical Section of the PSNS was founded in 1948 under the guidance of Dr Margaret Stewart, a very notable and distinguished local archaeologist. In the early years, the section carried out and published important excavations and surveys under her guidance, and she also organised courses and seminars to share her skills and knowledge with the section. Accounts of her excavations appeared in specialist journals such as Discovery & Excavation in Scotland.

For more information about A&H activities contact the section secretary, Eva Bennett, at psns1948@yahoo.co.uk. We welcome visitors and new members.

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The Neolithic Standing Stone at Murrayshall near Scone.

Members of the section are still involved in occasional excavations and surveys under the guidance of professional organisations, but our main activities are a monthly lecture series during the winter, and excursions to monuments, historic buildings and excavations, generally in the summer. We have close links with Archaeology Scotland, Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust, Tayside and Fife Archaeological Committee and various professional and voluntary organisations. Over the years, as well as contributing papers to the Society’s journal, the Section has issued several important complete publications:

The following booklet by Dr Margaret Stewart describes an abandoned farmstead, Allt Lochan Nan Losgunn, near Queen’s View (Tay Forest Park) that was excavated in 1972 & 1974 (not a PSNS publication, reproduced by courtesy of Scottish Forestry).

SUMMER EXCURSIONS 2019

For full details, download PSNS A&H Summer Outings Programme 2019

Wednesday 24th April evening
Dunkeld Community Archive
Meeting at Broxden Park & Ride at 6pm
Free but suggest a donation

Sunday 26th May
Scottish Crannog Centre ‘Behind the Scenes’
Meeting at Broxden Park & Ride at 10am
£10/£9
Packed lunch/ café next door

Saturday 29th June
Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre
Meeting Broxden Park & Ride 9.30am
£5/£4
Bring a packed lunch.

Wednesday 17th July evening
Strathearn Archaeology Trail Crieff Community Campus
Meeting Broxden Park & Ride 6pm
Free

All transport is by private cars sharing petrol expenses or a minibus.

For all outings please wear sensible footwear and clothing appropriate to the weather. Several of these outings could involve rough ground or worn steps or pathways.

Convenient catering establishments may not be available so we suggest bringing a packed lunch and a flask or cold drinks for day-time outings.
Remember to bring sunscreen and/or insect repellent if conditions warrant.

If you are interested in any of these outings, please let Eva Bennett know by email or phone 01738 850489 or psns1948@yahoo.co.uk. If necessary on the day of the outing, contact Irene Green 07746 392308.

Please note that all Members, their relatives and friends of the PSNS attend excursions at their own risk, and that every reasonable precaution will be taken by the Section to ensure your health & safety.

WINTER LECTURES 2019 – 2020

The full winter programme of PSNS meetings will be announced in late summer; meanwhile, here are the lectures arranged for the Section:

16 October 2019

‘The Galloway Hoard’ (Margaret Stewart Lecture) – Andrew Nicholson

13 November 2019

‘Al-Andalus: the History of Islamic Spain 711-1492’ – Dr Roger Collins

04 December 2019

‘“Forget the silly notion that I’m here to teach you Botany” – Patrick Geddes in Dundee’ – Matthew Jarron

15 January 2020

‘Perth suffragettes’ – Ajay Close

12 February 2020

‘The Declaration of Arbroath’ – Norman Atkinson

11 March 2020

AGM + ‘Over the Sea to Uist’ – Mark Hall

All indoor meetings are held are held on Wednesdays at 7.30pm in the Soutar Theatre, AK Bell Library, York Place, Perth PH2 8EP. Evenings conclude over tea and coffee.

Occasional newsletters of the Section

AGM and other papers circulated to Section members