This week marks #VolunteersWeek and we’re celebrating throughout June to recognise the amazing volunteers who help care for archaeological sites and historic places. We’re starting with the Changing Chalk project, led by the National Trust and supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. 🧵

Peatlands are powerful. Here are just a few reasons why… 1. Peatland vegetation slows the flow of rainfall which helps reduce the risk of flooding in nearby towns and villages. Peatlands only cover around 3% of the world's surface but contains more carbon than all the world's rainforests.

The village of Torridon in Wester Ross seen from the south over the tip of Upper Loch Torridon, with the awe-inspiring bulk of Liathach rising to a height of over 1,000m immediately behind it. More pics and info: www.undiscoveredscot... #Scotland #Torridon #Liathach #WesterRoss

If I may offer a small taster example from the North York Moors where the historic (and very prehistoric) fragile environment is taken into account. Our Mesolithic #archaeology is unique in many ways. timevista.co.uk/about/resear...

If you're watching the repeat of BBC Digging for Britain with @profaliceroberts.bsky.social featuring Black Loch of Myrton, you can read Anne Crone's case study: scarf.scot/thematic/den... Better still, you can download the open access book. 📚 #archaeology www.sidestone.com/books/black-...

Project Supervisors & Project Officers Fieldwork AOC Archaeology Salary: £29,208 - £37,507 Closing Date: June 26, 2026 Location: Milton Keynes www.bajr.org/job-ad/proje...

Really looking forward to delivering the lecture on behalf of @nattrustarch.bsky.social @nationaltrust.org.uk

NT archaeologist Mark Newman and a team from the University of Bradford have been searching for clues about Inner Farne’s most famous and important inhabitant, St Cuthbert. You can find out more in Episode 3 of Hidden Treasures of the National Trust tonight on BBC Two at 9pm, or on BBC IPlayer.

I'll be at the Smiddy this Saturday from 10am to midday. Do come along for a chat if you're around. Tea and coffee available. Possibly bring a ☔, but better still, bring the ☀️ if you can! Donations to the Smiddy Trust gratefully received.

Going to Paisley tonight to give a talk about the archaeology of the Treshnish Isles to the Renfrewshire Local History Forum.

This a very exciting job for someone... a cultural heritage landscape curator covering NT places in the North including the Lake District... careers.nationaltrust.org.uk/OA_HTML/a/#/...

Obituary of eminent archaeologist and expert in Viking Age Scotland, Anna Ritchie #archaeology www.theguardian.com/science/2026...

The ruins of Balmerino Abbey stand close to the south bank of the River Tay in north-eastern Fife. Founded by Queen Ermengarde in 1229, the site of her desecrated grave in front of the high altar is marked by a large wooden cross. More pics and info: www.undiscoveredscot... #Scotland #Fife

John Schofield of York University on the value of archaeology - it’s not just about the past. theconversation.com/six-reasons-...

Wonderful day at the Archaeological Research in Progress Conference #ARP2026 🤩 brilliantly organised by @archscot.bsky.social in partnership with the @socantscot.bsky.social and Dumfries and Galloway Council. (1/2)

Looking forward to another excellent day of archaeology as the Archaeological Research in Progress Conference kicks off in Dumfries. #ARP2026

Anna Ritchie – 28 Sept 1943 – 8 May 2026 orkneyarchaeologysociety.org.uk/anna-ritchie...

projectscot.com/2026/05/craf... Hundreds of larch trees were felled by hand to meet the specific requirements of the reconstruction.

Good day at the ' Into the Wild' conference today at Glasgow Uni

📣 Fully-funded PhD: 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲? 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹, 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗲 With @uhiarchaeology.bsky.social, @glasgowschoolofart.bsky.social & @nts-archaeology.bsky.social Closing date: 3 June 🔗 archaeologyorkney.com/2026/05/11/f...

Amazing PhD opportunity working on the archaeology and landscape of Fair Isle. www.findaphd.com/phds/project...

Welcome to Out and About Archaeology! 🌿 Over the next week, we’ll be sharing places with special meanings, activities, walks, talks and simple ways to get curious about the places around you. Stay tuned for more on our socials, or start exploring today 👉 tinyurl.com/294s9jz6

The SHR is pleased to announce the call for the 2026 Early Career Researcher Article Prize. The winning entry/entries will be published in the journal and receive a £500 award. The deadline is Tuesday, 8 September at 5pm.

The magnificence of Alexander 'Greek' Thomson's 1850s Holmwood House. In my opinion, this is Thomson's finest surviving building. #glasgow #architecture #holmwood #architecturephotography #alexandergreekthomson

Back home after a few brilliant days at PARIS6. With colleagues from HES we showcased some of the work and research we carry out to preserve the archaeological resource of our estate. The two days were an inspiring range of presentations, discussion and chat with colleagues from across Europe!

Damn this looks good - congrats Dr Tom!!

Giving a talk this afternoon at the Quarries and Rock cut sites Conference in Edinburgh Uni. IRAAR26

At Edinburgh Uni today I took a walk by the old Archaeology Department building in the corner of George Square where 40 years ago this year I started my undergraduate degree. Thankfully as an archaeologist I can only deal in +/-50 year chunks!

Enjoy - had been booked to go to that but down to London for PARIS6 instead historicengland.org.uk/advice/techn...

Attending the Quarries and Rock cut sites Conference in Edinburgh Uni for the next couple of days. Looking forward to learning about some amazing sites. # IRAAR26

If you cannot visit in person, the trail can also be enjoyed virtually via the National Trust’s London & South East YouTube channel: youtube.com/playlist?lis... Find out more about Cissbury Ring here: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex... #NationalWalkingMonth #HillfortsWednesday

The site is well worth exploring on foot, but without a guide many of its stories can easily be missed. But now thanks to a partnership with the South Downs National Park Authority, ten short films explore themes connected to the site’s archaeology, landscape management, and people who worked here.

Cissbury Ring is one of the National Trust’s jewels in the South Downs. From the summit on a clear day, there are far reaching views across the chalk cliffs beyond Brighton and out to the Isle of Wight. It is this striking location and its dramatic views that have drawn people here for generations.

Archaeologists in Scotland have an explanation for why this copper piece of a whisky still was found broken: Smugglers likely dismantled the still in a hurry and dropped the part as they escaped. archaeology.org/news/2026/05/12/copper-part-from-illicit-19th-century-still-discovered-in-scotland/

www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/r... Rather than pay a tax, distillers and smugglers went to great lengths, moving their illicit stills and bothies into upland areas to avoid detection.

I'm very sorry to hear this sad news ... "The Ness team was saddened to learn of the passing of Dr Anna Ritchie – a major figure in Scottish archaeology." www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/knap-of-howa...

👀 Excellent, funded PhD ... someone's going to be busy! "...combining archaeological excavation of targeted heritage features, palaeoecological studies to establish long-term ecological heritage & investigating intangible heritage of folk customs & traditions [+] Advanced digital visualisation..."

The UHI Archaeology Institute and Glasgow School of Art, in collaboration with the National Trust for Scotland, are delighted to announce a new ARCS funded PhD opportunity investigating the heritage of Fair Isle.

Our illicit whisky still bit is featured at 25mins in to the programme www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Tune in now to BBC Scotland News at 7 to see a piece on our recent whisky still discovery at Ben Lawers. #PioneeringSpirit

An illicit whisky distilling site has been uncovered in a gully in the Scottish Highlands after likely more than 200 years

Archaeologists unearth evidence of illicit centuries-old whisky still in Scotland

Centuries-old whisky smuggler's secret distillery discovered in Scotland

The trusty Stonex and Penmap still going! 🙌

The reconstructed turf house at Glencoe visitor centre, after 5 years of nature growing on it

From 25 July, visitors to Avebury Stone Circle will be able to bring the cultural heritage of the World Heritage site to life, thanks to a project involving BU. Read more about it here - ow.ly/4xZW50WkRUB

One of my favourites!

Took a trip out yesterday to Rough Castle on the Antonine Wall. Forgotten what an amazing archaeological site it is and also just a nice place to spend time.

In-person attendance is sold out, but there are still a few online tickets available for Scotland's Archaeological Research in Progress Conference - Saturday 23 May - hosted this year by @archscot.bsky.social. Programme and booking details: www.archaeologyscotland.org.uk/get-involved...