Burghead 2025. What a year. Here is a snapshot of the upper citadel. 8/9th C brooch pin like one from Dunadd. A 2nd C spiral bead from inside a 8th/9th C building, very similar to one from the Croy hoard. The building is massive >7m long, a huge central hearth. Also me busy on the John Deere!

A little more of Nigg. The first shows the ultra high relief of the Pictish masterpiece, zoom to the lions which roam the desert in St Jerome’s narrative. Then St’s Paul and Antony bowing over the space, books open, where the raven is bringing the consecrated host already broken. Truly spectacular.

Some highlights from the @pictishartssociety.bsky.social field trip to Pictish Easter Ross on Saturday. The puzzlement of Kincardine, the masterpiece of Nigg, the sublime hunting panel of Shandwick and the fresh as the day it was carved spirals and key pattern of Hilton of Cadboll.

A little walk up in the Urchany and Farley Forest yesterday

#naturesky

The appropriate texts were consulted 😂

A selection of some of the bronze vessels from the Late Roman hoard found near Helmsdale, Sutherland. This was deposited sometime in the late 4thC or early 5thC Ad. The strainer and colander are absolutely sensational!

Todays #Pictish Symbol Stone of fascination from Easterton of Roseisle, Moray.

This formed part of stone built cist grave of unusual plan and is carved on two faces, on differing orientations.

The elegant Goose and Salmon on one face are some of the very finest of the incised Symbols.

So that’s #winter here then! Ben Wyvis looking very Christmas Cakey and Beinn a’ Bha’ach Àrd with plenty snow low down.

Looking across the River Beauly (Farrar) to Wester Lovat

These chains are tied into the Insular Military Style of elaborate silver dress items like handpins and spiral finger rings. Like those from the Norries Law hoard and here is that very very fine handpin!

The amazing massive silver chain collar from Whitecleuch, Lanarkshire. This example is decorated with chip carved Pictish Symbols picked out in distinctive red enamel. This probably dates to the 5-6th C Ad

The Priory really is a lovely little place to take a wee walk with the kids!

Two sides of the same stone. The simply stunning Aberlemno Roadside cross slab.

Here is Phoebe

For #FindsFriday a look back to 2017 and the final season digging Rhynie and snapshot of the amazing fins from that year. Stone and clay crucibles, Late Roman Amphora, clay moulds for handpins, brooches and their elaborate barrel shaped pins. Dating no later than the mid 6th C

Assynt from the Passing Place