Duncan Mackay
@theduncanmackay.bsky.social
Writer, archaeologist, wild swimmer, wild gardener. New book Echolands, A Journey in Search of Boudica out now from @Hodderbooks.bsky.social https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/duncan-mackay/echolands/9781399714143/ Rep. Jim Gill at Felicity Bryan Associates
And now, live from Scotland, for #RomanFortThursday,
“You can’t park there, mate!”
I can confirm that Ardoch Roman Fort is extraordinarily wet this morning, and best viewed from the car. If that were possible.
“You can’t park there, mate!”
I can confirm that Ardoch Roman Fort is extraordinarily wet this morning, and best viewed from the car. If that were possible.
November 13, 2025 at 11:10 AM
And now, live from Scotland, for #RomanFortThursday,
“You can’t park there, mate!”
I can confirm that Ardoch Roman Fort is extraordinarily wet this morning, and best viewed from the car. If that were possible.
“You can’t park there, mate!”
I can confirm that Ardoch Roman Fort is extraordinarily wet this morning, and best viewed from the car. If that were possible.
All along the watchtower.
A 360 view from the site of the Roman signal station & watchtower on Eildon Hill North, Melrose.
The combined slog up here from Trimontium below, & the strength of the wind at the top, probably accounted for a lot of bribery in writing the duty rosters.
#RomanFortThursday
A 360 view from the site of the Roman signal station & watchtower on Eildon Hill North, Melrose.
The combined slog up here from Trimontium below, & the strength of the wind at the top, probably accounted for a lot of bribery in writing the duty rosters.
#RomanFortThursday
November 13, 2025 at 7:11 AM
All along the watchtower.
A 360 view from the site of the Roman signal station & watchtower on Eildon Hill North, Melrose.
The combined slog up here from Trimontium below, & the strength of the wind at the top, probably accounted for a lot of bribery in writing the duty rosters.
#RomanFortThursday
A 360 view from the site of the Roman signal station & watchtower on Eildon Hill North, Melrose.
The combined slog up here from Trimontium below, & the strength of the wind at the top, probably accounted for a lot of bribery in writing the duty rosters.
#RomanFortThursday
I will not rest until I have an identical display of reproduction Roman cavalry kit displayed next to my desk.
The horse mask…🤩
#LifeGoals
Awesome Trimontium Museum.
The horse mask…🤩
#LifeGoals
Awesome Trimontium Museum.
November 12, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I will not rest until I have an identical display of reproduction Roman cavalry kit displayed next to my desk.
The horse mask…🤩
#LifeGoals
Awesome Trimontium Museum.
The horse mask…🤩
#LifeGoals
Awesome Trimontium Museum.
More bravos! 👏
November 12, 2025 at 6:17 PM
More bravos! 👏
The world’s biggest, and almost inaudibly high pitched, bravo to Trimontium Museum in Melrose for their dedication to the #PlaymobilInfestation both in the displays AND in the shop. Bravo! Bravo!!👏 1 of 2
November 12, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The world’s biggest, and almost inaudibly high pitched, bravo to Trimontium Museum in Melrose for their dedication to the #PlaymobilInfestation both in the displays AND in the shop. Bravo! Bravo!!👏 1 of 2
And now, live from Scotland for #HillfortsWednesday, the dominating, brooding presence of Eildon Hill North from the fort site of Trimontium - the two other Eildons are behind it, giving Tri-Montium (Three Hills) its name.
November 12, 2025 at 2:30 PM
And now, live from Scotland for #HillfortsWednesday, the dominating, brooding presence of Eildon Hill North from the fort site of Trimontium - the two other Eildons are behind it, giving Tri-Montium (Three Hills) its name.
November 12, 2025 at 9:33 AM
2025-1951 - comparison shots of Wheeler’s 1951 excavation on Site A, Stanwick, with how it looks today. 1 of 2
#HillfortsWednesday
#HillfortsWednesday
November 12, 2025 at 9:33 AM
2025-1951 - comparison shots of Wheeler’s 1951 excavation on Site A, Stanwick, with how it looks today. 1 of 2
#HillfortsWednesday
#HillfortsWednesday
As #TombTuesday has the privilege of falling on #RemembranceDay this year, here is Lucius Duccius Rufinus, 28, standard bearer of Legion IX (or VIIII) Hispana, from Viennes in France, who died in York.
November 11, 2025 at 8:07 PM
As #TombTuesday has the privilege of falling on #RemembranceDay this year, here is Lucius Duccius Rufinus, 28, standard bearer of Legion IX (or VIIII) Hispana, from Viennes in France, who died in York.
No affection for the Roman army, but, god, do I love a Ninth Legion roof tile…
#LegioIXHispana
#LegioIXHispana
November 11, 2025 at 7:41 PM
No affection for the Roman army, but, god, do I love a Ninth Legion roof tile…
#LegioIXHispana
#LegioIXHispana
Bravo, Yorkshire Museum shop, bravo!!
(I accidentally squealed the second bravo)
#MorePlaymobilinMuseumShops
#PlaymobilInfestation
(I accidentally squealed the second bravo)
#MorePlaymobilinMuseumShops
#PlaymobilInfestation
November 11, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Bravo, Yorkshire Museum shop, bravo!!
(I accidentally squealed the second bravo)
#MorePlaymobilinMuseumShops
#PlaymobilInfestation
(I accidentally squealed the second bravo)
#MorePlaymobilinMuseumShops
#PlaymobilInfestation
November 11, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Roman gateway location marker on splendid York Wall Walk.
We heartily approve of such details.
#PlaymobilInfestation
We heartily approve of such details.
#PlaymobilInfestation
November 11, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Roman gateway location marker on splendid York Wall Walk.
We heartily approve of such details.
#PlaymobilInfestation
We heartily approve of such details.
#PlaymobilInfestation
The view from the ditch at Stanwick.
#AlwaysLookUp
#AlwaysLookUp
November 11, 2025 at 7:09 AM
The view from the ditch at Stanwick.
#AlwaysLookUp
#AlwaysLookUp
So APPARENTLY (underlined if I could), this strange hole in a tree on the earthworks of Stanwick is a portal to the Iron Age (obviously I’m far too big to have gone through to verify, but he came back through very impressed).
“She should have freed Caratacus!” he kept saying.
#PlaymobilInfestation
“She should have freed Caratacus!” he kept saying.
#PlaymobilInfestation
November 10, 2025 at 8:31 PM
So APPARENTLY (underlined if I could), this strange hole in a tree on the earthworks of Stanwick is a portal to the Iron Age (obviously I’m far too big to have gone through to verify, but he came back through very impressed).
“She should have freed Caratacus!” he kept saying.
#PlaymobilInfestation
“She should have freed Caratacus!” he kept saying.
#PlaymobilInfestation
November 10, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Queen Cartimandua’s chariot team?
Sleek ponies (😉IYKYK) grazing on the ramparts of Stanwick Camp, N.Yorks.
Early #HillfortsWednesday
Sleek ponies (😉IYKYK) grazing on the ramparts of Stanwick Camp, N.Yorks.
Early #HillfortsWednesday
November 10, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Queen Cartimandua’s chariot team?
Sleek ponies (😉IYKYK) grazing on the ramparts of Stanwick Camp, N.Yorks.
Early #HillfortsWednesday
Sleek ponies (😉IYKYK) grazing on the ramparts of Stanwick Camp, N.Yorks.
Early #HillfortsWednesday
Wanted to visit here for a long time! A Journey in Search of Cartimandua??😅
And a couple of nice ramparty shots saved for #HillfortsWednesday
And a couple of nice ramparty shots saved for #HillfortsWednesday
November 10, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Wanted to visit here for a long time! A Journey in Search of Cartimandua??😅
And a couple of nice ramparty shots saved for #HillfortsWednesday
And a couple of nice ramparty shots saved for #HillfortsWednesday
A few years ago I bought the tunic of a First World War soldier of the US 89th Infantry Division. The veteran clearly wore his uniform after the war at services of remembrance, for in his breast pocket was this - a very old and crumpled crepe paper poppy.
#RemembranceDay
#RemembranceDay
November 9, 2025 at 12:44 PM
A few years ago I bought the tunic of a First World War soldier of the US 89th Infantry Division. The veteran clearly wore his uniform after the war at services of remembrance, for in his breast pocket was this - a very old and crumpled crepe paper poppy.
#RemembranceDay
#RemembranceDay
A hobby to be proud of (but then I do have form…& a history of triggering people shouting THE FOOTIE MATCH WAS A MYTH)
November 8, 2025 at 9:45 AM
A hobby to be proud of (but then I do have form…& a history of triggering people shouting THE FOOTIE MATCH WAS A MYTH)
Remember, Remember,
The 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and…
ARSE BISCUITS!
Ever had a burning (or fizzling) desire to know what Guy Fawkes said in his moment of failure? Wonder no more.
#PlaymobilInfestation #GuyFawkes #BonfireNight
The 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and…
ARSE BISCUITS!
Ever had a burning (or fizzling) desire to know what Guy Fawkes said in his moment of failure? Wonder no more.
#PlaymobilInfestation #GuyFawkes #BonfireNight
November 5, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Remember, Remember,
The 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and…
ARSE BISCUITS!
Ever had a burning (or fizzling) desire to know what Guy Fawkes said in his moment of failure? Wonder no more.
#PlaymobilInfestation #GuyFawkes #BonfireNight
The 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and…
ARSE BISCUITS!
Ever had a burning (or fizzling) desire to know what Guy Fawkes said in his moment of failure? Wonder no more.
#PlaymobilInfestation #GuyFawkes #BonfireNight
Norwich Castle, c.13th Century graffiti of woman wearing a wimple.
Standing in front of this, you almost feel that nothing more than a blink separates you from the moment it was scored into the rock.
#StoneHeadSunday
Standing in front of this, you almost feel that nothing more than a blink separates you from the moment it was scored into the rock.
#StoneHeadSunday
November 2, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Norwich Castle, c.13th Century graffiti of woman wearing a wimple.
Standing in front of this, you almost feel that nothing more than a blink separates you from the moment it was scored into the rock.
#StoneHeadSunday
Standing in front of this, you almost feel that nothing more than a blink separates you from the moment it was scored into the rock.
#StoneHeadSunday
Alas, I’m not dressing up tonight, but I like to think I put the effort in when I had to accompany the youngsters out into the haunted night.
Decomposing Victorian 2017; Wolf Man (aka Foxy Bingo, apparently 🙄) 2018.
#Halloween
Decomposing Victorian 2017; Wolf Man (aka Foxy Bingo, apparently 🙄) 2018.
#Halloween
October 31, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Alas, I’m not dressing up tonight, but I like to think I put the effort in when I had to accompany the youngsters out into the haunted night.
Decomposing Victorian 2017; Wolf Man (aka Foxy Bingo, apparently 🙄) 2018.
#Halloween
Decomposing Victorian 2017; Wolf Man (aka Foxy Bingo, apparently 🙄) 2018.
#Halloween
October 31, 2025 at 5:53 PM