Opportunities to delve into the past
See excavations and living history
Residents will be able to dig into Perthshire’s past next month, with a range of archaeological excavations planned throughout September.
September marks annual Perth and Kinross Archaeology Month, and the team at Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust (PKHT) have a whole host of activities planned.
This year the team will be focusing on Dunkeld, as they plan to host a living history event, ancient craft technology, combat demonstrations and hands-on family activities with the help of Dunkeld and Birnam Historical Society and AOC Archaeology Ltd.
Guided walks will also be offered on excavation sites in the area where historic metalwork evidence is currently being uncovered.
From September 4-15, a community excavation will take place on the King’s Seat Hillfort. PKHT and members of the Dunkeld and Birnam Historical Society will be working on digging the site throughout the archaeology month, and will be looking to unearth more artefacts about the Pictish fort.
The site will be closed on September 9 and 10, but otherwise will offer guided site tours between 10am and 3pm each day.
The hillfort can be accessed from Dunkeld via the riverside footpath and through the grounds of Dunkeld House Hotel.
On Sunday, September 9, there will be a ‘Picts in the Park’ living history fair in the town’s Stanley Park.
Visitors will be able to step back into the first century AD as Picts of Regia Anglorum take up residence with demonstrations inspired by the archaeological discoveries found on the King’s Seat Hillfort.
Pictish combat, sling-shot demonstrations, metal, stone and woodworking, storytelling, archaeology and place name talks, hillfort tours and family activities will be taking place during the Picts in the Park, which runs from 11am until 1pm.
During the day, hillfort tours will also be offered by PKHT at 10am and 1pm.
And further guided walks to the hillfort, leaving from north car park in Dunkeld will take place on Monday, September 10 at 10.30am.
Gavin Lindsay, outreach officer at Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust, shows a group of children how to do an archaeological excavation at the King’s Seat Hillfort in Dunkeld
Both guided tours and walks can be booked in advance online at www. kings-seat.eventbrite.co.uk
However, PKHT will be hosting other events during archaeology month outside of Dunkeld.
An exploration of the ruins of the castle, house and chapel of Gleneagles will take place on Saturday, September 15.
Home to the Haldane family for centuries, the ruined house in the grounds of the Gleneagles resort is steeped in history, and tours will look at the 16th century chapel and hear about the family history from Martin Haldane.
Guided tours will be offered at 11am and 2.30pm and can be booked in advance at www.dod_gleneagles. eventbrite.co.uk
And a traditional building skills roadshow will return to Perth’s King Edward Street on Monday, September 24 and Tuesday, September 25 from 10am until 4pm.
Traditional building methods such as stone carving, slating, joinery, painting and decorating will be on show in the street to look at how historical buildings are maintained in Scotland.
Visitors will be able to step back into the 1st century AD