BOO! Well, now I have your attention. Not too late to grab yourself a ticket folks to tonight's spooky talk by the lovely Lauren and the marvellous Michelle.....💀

Delighted to announce that tickets for the Symbols of Mortality Conference 2026 have now gone live. With a fascinating range of talks by some of the world's leading experts, why not grab yourself a FREE ticket and come and join us! 💀 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/symbols-of...

FINALLY getting around to de-framing, if there is such a word, February's Symbols of Mortality Exhibition. Exceptionally mind-numbing and very painful. Only 94 images/frames to contend with! 😳 Talking of Symbols of Mortality, some exciting news should be dropping tomorrow....😉

Apologies, but I am unable to receive private messages. To do so, Bluesky apparently requires facial recognition/credit card details from me. Bugger off Bluesky! Even my bank doesn't get that kind of information. So, feel free to contact me via the website: www.lorraineevans.com

Day 13: Skeleton #31daysofgraves Encompassing more Memento Mori then you can shake a stick at, I give you one of my all time favourite seventeenth century wall memorials, in a glorious pink hue, to be found in Kirkmichael Burial Ground, Resolis, Black Isle, commemorating one William Urquhart...💀

Day 11: Military #31daysofgraves I give you the final resting place of Vickers Wellington Bomber MF509, that crashed in Wales on 20 November 1944, killing all her Canadian crew. Three memorials now exist, two plaques and a new 2025 commemorative model added by @TedConingsby Lest We Forget 🙏

Day 10: Urn #31daysofgraves One of my favourite graveside accoutrements, the urn, which comes in many guises, from the classical urn carrier, as shown below in Kirkmichael Burial Ground, Resolis, to the 'plonky on top' additions (a technical term 😉) #cemetery #grave #death #archaeology #history

Well those lovely people over at Pen and Sword have a real treat for you.....a pre-paperback release goodie.... www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Burying-the-... @penandswordbooks.bsky.social #cemetery #burial #death #burialground #graveyard #archaeology #history #gothic #churchyard #graveyard #symbolism

Day 9: Hands #31daysofgraves From clasping hands to an angelic pointy finger, you can't really go wrong....💀😉 #graves #graveyard #cemetery #cemeterieandgraveyards #death #symbolism #archaeology #mortality #gravestone #Victorian #burialground #burial #hands

Day 7: Angels #31daysofgraves A variety of Scottish angels in all their glory..... #death #symbolism #cemetery #graveyards #cemeteries #burialground #archaeology #deathhistory

As the first full week of the 'spooky season' commences, it is always a good idea to listen to the stones......💀🪦 #mementomori #death #cemetery #graveyard #burialground #buryingthedead #mortalitysymbolism #symbolsofmortality #skull #skullandcrossbones

A plethora of peace doves flitting about Orkney....Day 5 #31daysofgraves

With my publisher moving the paperback release of Burying the Dead, to Halloween, (Yay!), I am now returning from a much-needed break away from it all. Thus, apologies if I have not answered any queries. Lots of exciting stuff to come. Watch this space! @penandswordbooks.bsky.social

Errrrrr......yes please! Donations to the 'I do really need this' fund gratefully received. 😁💀☠️ www.ebay.co.uk/itm/14678015... #skullandcrossbones #skulls #mementomori #death #eighteenthcentury #archaeology #deathhistory #dark

From horse burials to bed burials, from the great cemeteries at Uppsala, Sweden (Fig 1) to the remarkable boat burial of Oseberg, Norway (Fig. 2), Burying the Dead explores the many ways our ancestors interred their dead. @penandswordbooks.bsky.social #death #burial #cemetery #graveyard

It's the 1st September, which means the official countdown to the paperback release of Burying the Dead commences. As such, I will be regularly posting a series of death related goodies. Please do forgive my indulgence, as Covid affected the initial release. www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Burying-the-...

Would it be deemed improper to utilise parts of a Victorian cemetery collection as plant pot decorations? Asking for a friend..... #cemetery #Victorian #grave #iron #gardening #history #grave #victoriancemetery

Well that's the second book cover blurb plus images sent to the publisher. As a sneaky peak, I give you the splendid mausoleum of Sir Richard Burton, to be found in St Mary Magdalen Roman Catholic Church, Mortlake, Surrey. #mementomori #grave #mausoleum #death #burial

Delighted to announce that Burying the Dead will be released in a paperback version this coming September. Yay! 😃 Pre-orders are now available via the Pen and Sword website, or why not treat yourself to the hardback version. @penandswordbooks.bsky.social www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Burying-the-...

So much has already been plundered, I am surprised that anything is left.... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Having only just returned to social media, plus having my Gmail account restored, I feel fortunate to have been informed/reminded, just in time, of the excellent ISSE conference happening this weekend. Not too late to book yourself a place folks..... www.issegyptomania.com/events

Delighted to say that Boneyards of Steel manuscript is now in the hands of my publisher. After a few hiccups, I made July's deadline by a full 37 minutes! Legs hurt, arms ache and my wrists are suffering the effects of 4 months of continual typing but hey ho, now moving on to contracted book No.2...

Back in a couple of days ❤️

Hello all. Apologies for going quiet. When one should have been capitalising on the triumph of the Symbols of Mortality exhibition, unfortunately I was forced to return to the Mainland for urgent hydrotherapy treatment on the spine and legs. Back home now, and busy writing Boneyards of Steel.....

BIG BOOK NEWS! I have been able to secure limited release of the special hardback copy of my new book HALLOWED GROUND in advance of the paperback release in May for 8 weeks ONLY. Dust jacketed with gold embossed black cover under Order now from www.thefolklorepodcast.com/store/p188/H... until May

For Pi Day here’s a bit about the history of funeral pie, served at funeral meals among Old Order Mennonite and Amish communities whatscookingamerica.net/history/pieh... 📷: @thepieous

A little more information regarding one of the Symbols of Mortality exhibits, expertly researched by the simply wonderful @storytellerfran.bsky.social #grave #funeral #cemetery #orkney #stmagnus #victorian #mourning

Now on offer at Pen and Sword. So far, one of my favourite books to research and write...... www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Life-of-...

And how are you spending your supposed relaxing Sunday morning Lorraine? Oh, you know, re-visiting the Ministry of Defence guidelines on excavating aircraft - as one does 😆 #archaeology #aviation #aircraft #WW2 #militaryaviation #history

Just a reminder… #InternationalWomensDay

Are there any military aviation/Second World War historians that could possibly assist with a query? #military #RAF #SecondWorldWar #aviation

Oh look! Symbols of Mortality merchandise made it all the way to Cyprus.......😀 www.lorraineevans.com/index.asp?pa...

It's over..... 😥 Big shout out to Fran Flett Hollinrake @storytellerfran.bsky.social for helping me dismantle the exhibition this morning ❤️🔒

A fabulous end to the Symbols of Mortality exhibition. It began with a highly entertaining Cathedral tour, led by Fran Flett Hollinrake, followed by an afternoon in the gallery with a procession of great folks. The archaeology students from UHI were a particular hoot! @storytellerfran.bsky.social

Only a few more hours before the Symbols of Mortality exhibition closes it's doors. Pictures from this morning's gravestone tour to follow.....

The Symbols of Mortality Exhibition's very last event. A guided tour of some of the remarkable ledger stones in St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, with Cathedral Curator Fran Flett Hollinrake...... @storytellerfran.bsky.social @stmagnuscathedral.bsky.social

Having been lucky enough to have lived on #Orkney for 10 years, I think it's fair to say Orcadians are first and foremost Orcadian... Scandinavia influences have lingered longer and are deeper than Scottish ones, this is what makes the people and archeology of the islands so unique.

Waiting to give a tour, I saw the opportunity to make a quick advert for the reopening of the @govanstones.bsky.social on the first of April. Really good viewer and engagement metrics, and a reminder to me that, at times, museum content creation can be quick!

Only one more week left to catch the Symbols of Mortality exhibition.....

A couple of images that did not make it into the exhibition #symbolsofmortality

There has been much interest in ye ole Pauper's Coffin, currently on display in the Symbols of Mortality exhibition, gallery. Here is a little background, kindly provided by St Magnus Cathedral Curator, Fran Flett Hollinrake @storytellerfran.bsky.social www.lorraineevans.com/index.asp?pa...

It’s Week 2 of the Symbols of Mortality exhibition at the Orkney Museum! @thedeathhistorian.bsky.social

Delighted to announce that I have recently signed a two-book deal with my publisher @penswordbooks (I've sat on this info due to the exhibition opening etc) The first, which I am very excited about, is an extension of Chapter 8 from my previous but one book Burying the Dead. More info to follow....

Symbols of Mortality Exhibition - the exhibition that keeps on giving! Delighted to announce a new St Magnus Cathedral gravestone tour, thanks to the generosity of Cathedral Curator Fran Flett Hollinrake. Acting as host I have cajoled Fran into choosing a few of her favourite stones, and why...👍💀

It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Symbols of Mortality Conference Programme is available to peruse/download via the link below. 👍😀💀 www.lorraineevans.com

People's taste in carved commemoration can differ greatly. Some love a good old skull and crossbones. Whereas others relish the beauty and grace of Victorian marble expression. Me? Well, you can't beat a stag with Mick Jagger lips! 😂🦌

Working on my talk for the Symbols of Mortality Orkney conference, & found the pamphlet on graffiti surveys at St. Magnus that I picked up in 2022! Thank goodness I kept this! #archaeology #heritage @thedeathhistorian.bsky.social

Well we couldn't have an exhibition without some official exhibition merchandise, could we? As such, I introduce you to the new range of Symbols of Mortality goodies. All proceeds will go to furthering future exhibitions. Why not help an old death historian out! www.tshirtstudio.com/marketplace/...

Wow! Totally blown-away by the numerous good Orkney folk who turned up to yesterday's exhibition opening. In truth, I just thought it would be myself + a couple of others. Oh how wrong was I. So, a big thank you to you all for coming. I am very grateful. More events to be announced. Watch this space

And we are off......