Dig It!
banner
digitscotland.bsky.social
Dig It!
@digitscotland.bsky.social
Discover Scotland’s stories with ground-breaking archaeology news and events that are open to everyone | A @socantscot.bsky.social‬ project | #HESsupported | #ScotArchStrat | Visit https://www.digitscotland.com/
Inscribed slates uncovered at Kilwinning Abbey in Ayrshire may offer clues about those who lived and worked there over 500 years ago ✍️

It's thought that slates carved with gaming boards may have been made by medieval monks or possibly masons and other workers: www.digitscotland.com/top-six-arch...
November 5, 2025 at 4:03 PM
How is this tower in Dumfries & Galloway still standing after more than 650 years? 🌊

Reportedly haunted by its founder 'Archibald the Grim', Threave Castle is resistant to flood damage despite the effects of climate change due to its carefully chosen location: www.digitscotland.com/top-five-les...
October 30, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Carved over 2,800 years ago, Ballochmyle in East Ayrshire is home to one of Britain's most extensive areas of rock art 🧑‍🎨

It's even been suggested that sites like this may have been a focus for "communal performance involving sound, light, and activity": www.digitscotland.com/top-six-arch...
October 29, 2025 at 8:18 AM
In 1882, Andrew Watson captained the Scottish team to victory over England at a stadium in Glasgow which was thought to be lost ⚽

But with the help of volunteers, @archscot.bsky.social unearthed evidence of the pavilion and playing surface in 2021: www.digitscotland.com/uncovering-b...

#BHM25
October 22, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Dating back almost 6,000 years, Neolithic chambered tombs were built to hold the remains of the dead at a time of huge change for people in Scotland ⚰️

On 23 October, hear about @archscot.bsky.social's investigations into these sites at this free online event: www.digitscotland.com/events/prehi...
October 20, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Digs in the Highlands have found material remains connected to the 1692 Mort Ghlinne Comhann (Glencoe Massacre) ⚔️

On 20 October, join @archscot.bsky.social to discover the artefacts revealing how people lived in the glen before, during and after the tragedy: www.digitscotland.com/.../an-archa...
October 17, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Why did people build Skara Brae directly on a cliff edge 5,000 years ago? 🌊

They didn't! This Neolithic village in Orkney was originally built about a mile inland and is now being hit by brutal storms and increased erosion: bit.ly/ArchaeoClima...
October 15, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Described as an "ancient and atmospheric site", Inveravon Church in Moray is home to Pictish symbol stones which were carved over 1,200 years ago ⛪

Come along to this event to take a closer look and find out how these symbols fit into a wider cultural story: www.digitscotland.com/events/ancie...
October 13, 2025 at 8:00 AM
It's thought that a great auk head was added to the foundation of an Iron Age wheelhouse on Eilean Leòdhais (the Isle of Lewis) during its construction over 2,000 years ago 🐧

Now extinct, it's possible that these flightless birds held some ritual significance: www.digitscotland.com/the-archaeol...
October 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM
"It’s basically the best book on the Picts ever written" 😍

Dig into 7th-century Scotland with "Carved in Stone", a comprehensive guide to the Picts with 350+ historically informed illustrations covering everything from language to fashion. Pre-order to save 20%: www.stoutstoat.co.uk/carvedinstone
October 2, 2025 at 10:26 AM
"Whoever carved the Ardross wolf has seen the real thing" 🐺

Now on display in Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, the famous Ardross Wolf Stone was probably created over 1,000 years before these animals were persecuted to extinction in Britain around 1760: www.digitscotland.com/the-archaeol...
September 29, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Musket balls—including one showing signs of impact—have previously been unearthed at the site of the 1746 Blàr Chùil Lodair (Battle of Culloden) in the Highlands ⚔️

On 18 October, take a guided walk through this year's dig site and discover what's been found: www.digitscotland.com/events/walk-...
September 26, 2025 at 12:42 PM
A major archaeological project on Ìle (Islay) has revealed the existence of a lost royal castle that was dismantled over 700 years ago 🏰

Dig into the discovery in @socantscot.bsky.social's latest publication, which is also available as a free e-book: books.socantscot.org/digital-book...
September 24, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Heading to a market this weekend? You may be living like a 10th-century Viking 🧺

Established beach markets, like at Culbin Sands in Moray, were important seasonal events where locals gathered on beaches to meet ships carrying exotic goods, trade and socialise: www.digitscotland.com/who-were-the...
September 19, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Dunkeld and Birnam is one of Scotland's best preserved historic towns, but could even more history be waiting just beneath the surface? 🗺️

Learn skills in excavation, fieldwalking, metal detecting and try out topographical survey at Historic Dunkeld's open day: www.digitscotland.com/events/dunke...
September 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Sacrificed over 1,770 years ago, this Iron Age trumpet shaped like a wild boar was found in a peat bog in Moray around 1816 🐗

In addition to preserving artefacts, peat acts as a carbon store, is a great habitat for wildlife and has a role in water management: www.digitscotland.com/top-10-archa...
September 10, 2025 at 8:19 AM
In 2005, a rare Viking grave containing a belt set, spurs and spear head was uncovered near North Berwick in East Lothian ⚔️

At the time it was the most southerly Viking burial ever found in Scotland, at the site of a monastery founded over 1,300 years ago: www.digitscotland.com/top-five-arc...
September 5, 2025 at 10:48 AM
The South West is home to some of Scotland's earliest evidence of human occupation, a Neolithic village and a famous medieval abbey ⛪

What else do we know about the region? Which questions are still to be answered? Don't miss this @scarf-scot.bsky.social event: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/swsarf-wor...
September 4, 2025 at 8:05 AM
After years of archaeological investigation, the @n-t-s.bsky.social recreated a 17th-century turf and creel house in Glencoe 🏠

Made using only what could be found in the surrounding landscape, these houses could be described as the original eco-homes: www.digitscotland.com/five-histori...
August 29, 2025 at 12:41 PM
In September, @1722waggonway.bsky.social are returning to the site where 300-year-old remains of Scotland’s earliest railway were unearthed in 2021 🛤️

Dig into this excavation and over 60 other events as part of the East Lothian Archaeology & Heritage Fortnight: www.digitscotland.com/events/east-...
August 27, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Over 1,800 years ago, these oyster shells were discarded at Newstead Roman fort in the Borders 🦪

Likely imported as a luxury food item, they're part of a tradition of shellfish consumption in Scotland which stretches back over 12,000 years: www.digitscotland.com/the-archaeol...
August 22, 2025 at 2:01 PM
In 2004, erosion at a Highland burn revealed ancient stonework and 'remarkable' prehistoric pottery ⚱️

Ongoing excavations at Swartigill have since provided a glimpse of everyday life in Iron Age Scotland. Volunteer or visit free on weekdays until 4 September: www.digitscotland.com/events/swart...
August 18, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Since 2015, @eafsarch.bsky.social have been excavating Edinburgh's Cammo Estate, which was home to a mansion containing more than 50 rooms 😮

Want to take part in the dig, see the finds or join a guided walk? Don't miss their free open day on Saturday 16 August: www.digitscotland.com/events/cammo...
August 13, 2025 at 2:50 PM
"Important archaeological evidence is being washed away by storms and high tides before we can learn from it – and the problem is going to get worse" 🌊

Find out how drones can help as sites of all periods are being lost to the waves around Scotland's coast: www.digitscotland.com/how-drones-a...
August 11, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Archaeologists and volunteers are currently excavating a unique Roman Iron Age fort and prehistoric cemetery in Stirling 🪦

Want an inside look? On 12 August, join a guided evening tour of the site and see the latest discoveries: www.digitscotland.com/events/tour-...
August 8, 2025 at 11:03 AM