Fancy a dirty weekend in 2025?

Learn to dig with Dr Murray Cook

Welcome to my regular piece of research, the second of two weekly blogs I publish. The Monday newsletter summarises of all the interesting history and archaeological things happening round Stirling and the Friday one discuss my research. These are both free but if you like what I do, you can support the expenses by becoming a paid subscriber. Regardless I hope you enjoy the blog and perhaps you’ll come along sometime!

Clearly if you’re reading this you’re interested in archaeology but have you ever fancied getting involved? The vast majority of digs I do are free but I also run more involved fieldschools which have a daily fee.

Here are my draft plans for 2025…let me know if something catches your eye and you’d like more information. Its not exhaustive and a few more things will be added over the year and one or two expanded. And don’t forget that I also run ab evening class in the Forth Valley College.

24th to 27th April Dumyat…a return to the Fort of the Maeatae FREE

1st to 3rd May: Torwood Broch…vegetation clearance and the fist modern excavation of the broch. FREE

15th to 18th May Kippen, A Roman Iron Age to Viking Age fort FREE

18th to 21st June Dumyat slopes…we’ll be digging and dating a series of newly discovered cultivation terraces and a burial mound! FREE

14th to 25th July…Battle Hill, a previously unknown Pictish hillfort in Huntly….£55 a day or £15 for a two hour taster session.

5th to 15th August King’s Park, Stirling our ongoing dig on the Roman Iron Age fort and prehistoric cemetery £55 a day or £15 for a two hour taster session.

4th to 6th September Manor Powis again, back to Stirling’s lost Roman fort..FREE

18th to 20th September Fintry…location TBC….FREE

Everyone is welcome on these digs whatever your skill set, age or physical confidence and you can always come for a nosy….what’s stopping you?