Dunkeld hillfort excavations begin

Volunteers will be joining archaeologists today to work on uncovering an ancient site.

The third and final season of archaeological excavations at the King’s Seat Hillfort near Dunkeld began today (Tuesday, September 3).

Archaeologists from Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust and the Dunkeld and Birnam Historical Society are to be joined by a team of 27 volunteers and Archaeology AOC when they head up to the“nationally significant”hilltop site of the King’s Seat Hillfort.

The monument, located in the grounds of Dunkeld House Hotel, will be explored and researched by the team for two weeks.

This comes after many “exciting”discoveries were made when the team visited the excavation site last year, and they are hoping this year they can uncover more about Dunkeld’s early roots.

Investigations this month will focus on the uppermost enclosed area of the hill, and take a closer look inside some of the lower terraces to try and find more evidence for the King’s Seat’s role as a centre of local power and manufacture in the early Pictish period (600-900 AD).

Over the next fortnight, the team will be joined by the third year history class from Pitlochry High School.

The children will be rolling up their sleeves to help out and learn the skills needed to be an archaeologist during a day of training workshops.

During the excavations, all ages will be made welcome to climb the hill and visit the site.