Special exhibition set to mark anniversary
Crieff- based Strathearn Archaeological and Historical Society is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary with a special exhibition.
The showcase – curated in conjunction with the Society’s members, friends and library staff – will take place from October 9 at the library in Strathearn Community Campus.
Accessible during library opening hours, the exhibition will feature Crieff High School’s collection of museumquality replica artefacts based on key archaeological finds discovered close to the school and at nearby Dundurn Pictish fort.
This collection is normally displayed within the school and is not readily available to view by the public.
In addition, there are nails from the famous find of almost one million excavated at Inchtuthil Roman Fort, and hypocaust tile fragments from a Roman bathhouse – both almost 2000 years old and loaned by members.
Also among the exhibits is a cannonball, found near the ruined Innerpeffray Castle and kindly loaned for the exhibition by Innerpeffray Library.
Ian Hamilton is the Society’s vicechair.
He said: “Perhaps the ‘jewel in the crown’ is the magnificent Dorothy Marshall Silver Medal awarded in 2013 by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland to the late Jean Comrie, a former chair of our Society.
“This medal is awarded every three years to an individual who, in a voluntary capacity, has made an outstanding contribution to Scottish archaeological work, or related activities.
“The Society is also awaiting details of a group of ‘chance finds’ which we are donating to the school’s growing collection.”
Ian continued: “We are also in contact with Treasure Trove Scotland to try to secure a find from the 2011 excavation of the original Pittentian timber circle, the re-imagined replica of which stands at the entrance to the school.
“We may not be the largest of Scotland’s heritage groups, but we have certainly ‘punched above our weight’ over the years, with the campus archaeological trail being a unique feature among Scotland’s 350 senior schools.
“We hope visitors will enjoy the exhibition, walk around the trail and consider joining the Society.”