Tony Pollard
@tonypollard.bsky.social
Prof of Conflict History & Archaeology, Uni of Glasgow. Bit of TV and the write stuff.
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.
November 30, 2025 at 6:58 PM
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.
November 16, 2025 at 11:06 PM
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.
November 16, 2025 at 8:56 PM
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!
November 9, 2025 at 2:24 PM
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.
November 9, 2025 at 11:56 AM
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.
November 8, 2025 at 7:53 PM
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!
November 7, 2025 at 6:39 AM
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.
November 6, 2025 at 2:53 PM
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.
Branded TV Series Theme Song
YouTube video by Bob Allen
youtu.be
November 2, 2025 at 4:04 PM
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?...
"Culloden" (1964) Scottish Jacobite Rebellion Classic Docu-Drama
YouTube video by LionHeart FilmWorks
youtu.be
October 31, 2025 at 6:27 PM
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.
Scotland Outdoors - The Battle of Culloden - BBC Sounds
Mark Stephen visits Culloden Battlefield after a recent archaeological dig there
www.bbc.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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.
October 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
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
October 16, 2025 at 5:35 PM
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.
October 15, 2025 at 3:34 PM
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.
October 12, 2025 at 6:43 PM
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…
October 4, 2025 at 7:09 PM
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?...
John Martyn & Danny Thompson - Spencer The Rover (Transatlantic Sessions, 5th April 1996)
YouTube video by Danny Thompson
youtu.be
September 24, 2025 at 6:04 PM
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.
September 21, 2025 at 6:31 PM
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
September 17, 2025 at 1:57 PM
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.
September 7, 2025 at 5:52 PM
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.
September 5, 2025 at 4:06 AM
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.
September 4, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Hien Nhon gate, imperial city, Hue.
One of my favourite gardens. The Emperor’s Reading Room in the Imperial City, Hue.
September 4, 2025 at 11:08 AM
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.
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.
September 3, 2025 at 10:16 AM
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.
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!
September 2, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Happy 80th Birthday Vietnam!