Early Scotland

This is my latest book. It's a history of the Isle of Man from the fifth century to the thirteenth, covering the Early Christian, Viking and Late Norse periods.

Another week another ARO! - ARO66 the investigation of two hut circles at Aultcraggie, Brora, Sutherland - reveals a glimpse into Bronze Age settlement patterns in Sutherland #archaeology #sutherland archaeologyreportsonline.com/reports/2026/A…

The Brandsbutt symbol stone in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, which comes complete with Pictish symbols and an inscription in Ogham, a script sometimes referred to as the "Celtic Tree Alphabet". More pics and info: undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/inverurie/bran…

The @GovanStones Sarcophagus. We believe it's from the late C9th and was for St Constantine, a Pictish king killed by Vikings in 877. His sister's marriage into the royal family of the Strathclyde Britons is the most likely reason for his probable martyrium being in Govan. My 📷

A fortlet belonging to the Antonine Wall, a Roman frontier system between the Firths of Clyde and Forth, has been found beneath residential gardens in Bearsden, Greater Glasgow. 📰 Read about it in the latest AWLOH! open.substack.com/pub/historyhit…

Lulach mac Gilla Comgáin, king of Alba and stepson of Macbeth, was slain by successor Máel Coluim (III) mac Donnchada at Essie in Strathbogie, Aberdeenshire, #OTD in 1058.

Not long until we reopen on the 1st of April! Will you be visiting this Spring?

my latest blog is all about Roman bribery in Scotland! open.substack.com/pub/scottishar…

Mar 13: Feast of Garalt (Gerald) (†732) of Mag nÉo na Saxan (Mayo, Ireland). Colmán of Inishbofin founded this monastery for his English followers, Alcuin corresponded with its members, and in the second half of the 8thC it was attached to the province of York. 📸John Armagh

New Malky Dungeon update, Malcolm leaps into the unknown dream of Papa Westray (1/2)

The latest ARO (65) reveals how a hitherto unknown Antonine Wall Roman fortlet was discovered beneath the back gardens of Bearsden. #archaeology archaeologyreportsonline.com

The discovery of an unusual Pictish stone was reported by The Courier #OTD in 1934. A mechanical excavator struck it during work near Bullion Farm, Invergowrie. The 10thC Bullion Stone is a whimsical portrait of a mounted warrior drinking from a horn. 📸National Museums Scotland

The remains of Bothwellhaugh Roman Bathhouse at Strathclyde Country Park in North Lanarkshire. The bathhouse served the nearby Roman fort and was in use from around 142 to 162 AD when the northern frontier was based on the Antonine Wall. 📸 My own. #RomanFortThursday

Mar 10: Feast of Mo-Chessóc (Kessog) (6thC). Irish missionary and bishop of Loch Lomond associated with Luss and Inchtavannach. He is said to have been murdered by assassins at Bandry, where a heap of stones, St Kessog’s Cairn, once stood. Luss Parish Church 📸Thrissel

Myself and Dr Elisabeth Niklasson from our department will be talking at this conference at Perth Museum on Saturday - book your tickets now! culturepk.org.uk/event/the-ston…

Mar 6: Feast of Balthere (Baldred) (†756). Anchorite from Lindisfarne linked with Lothian sites Aldham (Auldhame), whose monastic community he may have founded; the Bass Rock, his likely retreat; and Tinangeham (Tyninghame), whose religious centre eclipsed Aldham by mid-10thC.

Only object in the world that mentions the Picts.

This evening, I am posting a refreshed blog page covering the northern #Scottish #archipelago of #Orkney which is famous for it's extensive #prehistoric archaeology:nigelsphotoblog.co.uk/2019/02/orkney…

The upgrade went through the Roman Marching camp Deers Den, built and used by General Agricola and also Emperor Septimius Severus. My excavations for Kintore of the same camp recovered more objects than any other in the Empire.

A view of Dun Telve Broch, south-east of Glenelg in Lochalsh. Over 18m in diameter and standing in part to over 10m in height, it is one of Scotland's best preserved brochs and one of a pair that are located within sight of one another. More pics and info: undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/glenelg/duntel…

An altar set up to the god Mars at Croy Hill fort on the Antonine Wall dating to the mid 2nd century AD now on display in Kelvin Hall, Glasgow #archaeology #Scotland #RIB2159