Today l taught my last session on the MLitt Conflict Archaeology and Heritage course before retirement at end of May, fittingly on Culloden. I co-founded the course with Dr Iain Banks back in 2005. In those 20 years l hope we’ve made a contribution to the field.

Recent fire in Glasgow, in same street as memorial to firefighters killed on duty, brought this 1941 painting to mind. Artist Leonard Rosoman was fireman in London Blitz & witnessed this 1940 incident which killed a colleague. He didn’t like it as felt too obvious. It’s stunning.

Spent a chunk of the day coming up with titles and writing abstracts for conference keynotes. Two down and one to go. Hope they have an overhead projector.

The things you find when clearing your office. A shot taken in 2001 when Ian Knight and I attended a ceremony at the old Zulu capital of oNdini to procure some Muthi (drugs) during the filming of the Secrets of the Dead episode on iSandlwana. A life time ago and a world away.

Enjoyed introducing the landmark 1964 Peter Watkins film Culloden and taking Q&A with my colleague Prof Andrew Mackillop for Scot Lit Film Club last night. Thanks to Dr Corey Gibson for the invite.

Article in today’s Herald already posted by others but behind a paywall, so here’s an old school version. Apologies in advance to all those colleagues who never get credit in a feature like this.

Ralph on a recent visit to Culloden.

When uncovering traces of people from the past, evidence comes in all sizes, can be found everywhere and might not look like what we expect 🤔 Confused? Don't be! Learn more about how archaeologists uncover these stories and how you can get involved: www.digitscotland.com/what-is-arch...

A dreich day in Dunkeld showcasing two of my favourite spooky stories. The Wolf of Badenoch’s tomb has always been ‘Man-size in Marble’, but as a bonus the River Tay is doing a good job of standing in for the Danube with the island giving off strong ‘The Willows’ vibes.

No Ralph, they don’t do it on a T-shirt.

August 11, 1968. Three year old me on the shoulders of my grandfather witnessing the final run of a mainline steam-hauled passenger service in UK. The “Fifteen Guinea Special," ran from Liverpool to Carlisle, and marked the end of an era.

What colour is the boathouse, Ralph?

If they ever make a biopic of Peter Cushing, Tom Hiddleston’s yer man.

Cinematic takes on two battles appearing in my teaching tomorrow.

Where’s my slipper?

A different feeling to start of teaching semester at Uni of Glasgow tomorrow as it’s my last. Looking forward to making the most of it and looking ahead to new opportunities. Tomorrow we’re on preserving and managing British Battlefields and introducing Modern Britain at War course.

Fob’s Law: House keys are always in the tight pocket on same side as the heavy bag of shopping you are carrying.

Moonshine over the loch from my living room window at 6am and then 8am today.

Wishing all of you a very Happy New Year and all the best for 2026!

This is a corker. Joanna Lumley might be a perfect fit. #GhostStoryForChristmas

A dog, a loch, and a big sky. All good for the soul.

Up early to comment on draft history dissertation chapters on the topics shown. That’s the out of office reply up until 12 Jan 2026. Time to write some fiction

Finished marking my Islands at War course essays & released grades. Four options on the topics depicted. A good effort all round really.

Can now reveal the purpose of my recent trip to Vietnam. For those who voiced an interest in joining me on a tour of Dien Bien Phu - here you go! Good to see my post-retirement life shaping up. stephenambrosetours.com/tour/vietnam...

Prep done for my lecture on 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus tomorrow. Last lecture of the last time l will deliver my Islands at War in 20th Century course. I’ll miss this course but can’t wait to retire.

Oh, good god no. We never let the dog onto the bed.

Last outing for Islands at War nears close with lecture on Okinawa tomorrow. Be reminding myself of time I went underground in Japanese tunnels dug into Hacksaw Ridge. Only then did I learn about Habu, the venomous snakes who called the place home. Every day is a school day.

A beautifully made but honest sleight of hand (& half) by Peter Johnsson and Mikael’s reaction at being taken in by it, as we all were!

Unexpected bonus at end of my stay in Visby. Chance to examine the amazing Roman-style Spatha recovered from a warrior grave in Gotland in 2021 with a masterclass in theory of metal working with swordsmithing guru Peter Johnsson. It’s a thing of beauty with elephant ivory guard.

Great day of public talks at the museum in Visby. Been a fabulous few days working with iconic sites and objects, and hanging out with lovely people.

Thanks to Maria Lindström for a great tour of Masterby 1361 battlefield in Gotland yesterday. Grateful to see another rare example of the sort of archaeology a medieval battle can leave behind. Do need to paint those figures on the diorama though!

Visited the 1361 battlefield at Masterby in Gotland today. The local church was giving off big M R James vibes.

Just heard “stripped of military rank” on news. Old enough for it to bring this to mind.

Peter Watkins gone. He was a hugely important filmmaker. Best known for The War Game but his 1964 Culloden film still influences way history TV is made today. It’s not perfect but it’s amazing and on YouTube as a good print. Watch it in his honour! youtu.be/-1TZq6DfKKA?...

For those who have the app, the podcast version of an interview Derek Alexander & l gave at Culloden during recent dig. Includes our interpretation of what we think the team of volunteers and archaeologists found over a week of hard work. Think a shorter version will go out on radio this weekend.

OTD 1854 - Charge of the Light Brigade. Here's my fave Lady Butler painting: Balaclava (1876), which drew criticism for showing reality of war. Central figure is veteran of charge William Henry Pennington who posed. Look and feel of work influenced Tony Richardson's 1968 movie.

Another busy day at Culloden. Worked some boggy terrain, which in 1746 caused Jacobite left difficulty in advance & retreat, but provided valuable insight into battle. Presenting initial thoughts on our discoveries in a talk at Visitor Centre 6pm tomorrow. shorturl.at/NIcFg

Great to be back on the field at Culloden, and a beautiful day into the bargain. On the surface all is now still, but the battle still lurks beneath our feet.

Tomorrow l give my last lecture on the Axis occupation of Crete and John Pendlebury. But there’s no way l can stop talking about it or him.

Everyone’s a critic…

Sorry to hear about the passing of Danny Thompson. Enjoyed him many a time live as the perfect partner to John Martyn’s mesmerising guitar and vocals. Hope they are playing together again somewhere. youtu.be/UQQYLV9ir5A?...

Eve of my last ever new academic year. Everything I do from now until end of May will be for last time. Tomorrow it's the intro lecture for my Islands at War in the 20th century course. I've always liked this one and sure some of content will get post-retirement outings.

Taking part in this fabulous event at Uppsala University’s Gotland Campus in Visby, Sweden on Fri 7 November. Places will be limited. @kabweprq.bsky.social @uofglasgow.bsky.social @uofgwarstudies.bsky.social @uu.se

Beginning the long journey home, but the work continues.

On our way south from Hue to Da Nang driving along the ‘Street without Joy’. Climbed the notorious switchbacks up the Hải Vân pass where many an ambush on US convoys was executed. Amazing views of Da Nang from pillboxes on summit.

Hien Nhon gate, imperial city, Hue.

One of my favourite gardens. The Emperor’s Reading Room in the Imperial City, Hue.

My Jane Fonda moment. 14.5mm anti-aircraft gun used to defend Road No.9 in Southern Laos campaign 1971. Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum, Hanoi. Next stop Hue.

Happy 80th Birthday Vietnam!

The Haulers memorial. Pays tribute to those who dragged the Vietnam People’s Army artillery, including 105mm howitzers captured from the Americans by Chinese in Korean War, through the mountains. A move which sealed fate of entrenched French Union forces at Dien Bien Phu in 1954.