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. For more information about A&H activities contact the section secretary, Eva Bennett, at psns1948@yahoo.co.uk

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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:

We welcome visitors and new members.

SUMMER EXCURSIONS 2018

The members of the Society enjoyed a number of outings to places of interest in Perthshire and beyond. As the Summer draws to a close we have two additional outings that are still to be confirmed.

Kings Seat, Dunkeld, hillfort excavation starting on 6th September for two weeks.

Visit to V&A Dundee sometime in the winter months. (Scheduled to open September 2018)

WINTER LECTURES 2018 – 2019

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.

17th October 2018 ‘Archaeology on a Cromwellian shipwreck off Mull’ – Dr Colin Martin

14th November  ‘Perth and the Reformation 1559-1618’ – Prof Jane Dawson, University of Edinburgh

5th December ‘Cairnpapple Hill – 4000 years in the life of a ceremonial and burial complex’ – Adrian Cox, Historic Environment Scotland (7th Dr Margaret Stewart Lecture)

16th January 2019 Joint talk with Abertay Historical Society: ‘An inventory of Perthshire’s orchards: the carselands and beyond‘ – Dr Crispin Hayes

13th February ‘Early Medieval settlement in upland Perthshire: Excavations at Lair, Glenshee 2012-17’ – David Strachan, Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust

13th March AGM + ‘Over the sea to Uist: an Udal adventure’ – Mark Hall, Culture Perth and Kinross

Occasional newsletters of the Section

AGM and other papers circulated to Section members