Archaeologist who helped poor honoured
Scotland’s first female archaeologist is to be honoured in Stirling with a plaque in recognition of her contribution to the field.
Christian Maclagan, who died in 1901, was known for her scholarship on brochs and her meticulous collection of rubbings of Pictish era stones, which include some of the earliest at Wemyss Caves in Fife.
Ms Maclagan, who was born on her family farm near Denny in 1811, is believed to be Scotland’s first female archaelogist.
A philanthropist, she also devoted much of her time to the removal of slums in Stirling, and established her own Sunday School.
She was well educated, liked to sketch and could speak a number of languages including French, Latin and Gaelic.
Ms Maclagan was also a suffragist, who experienced the brunt of the sexism of her time when she was denied full membership of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland due to her gender.
Her key finding, a 2000-year-old broch in the Livilands area in 1872, was only recognised after her paper on the fortification was transcribed by a man.
Ursula Martin, professor of computer science at Oxford University, nominated Ms Maclagan for the plaque in order to bring more attention to her story and her pioneering role in the field of archaeology.
The plaque will be put up at her former home of 19 Clarendon Place, as part of Historic Environment Scotland’s Commemorative Plaque Scheme.
Culture secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Christian Maclagan was a remarkable Scottish pioneer in her field and is a fitting recipient of the Historic Environment Scotland commemorative plaque scheme.
“Her groundbreaking talent and life-long commitment to archaeology stand alongside her fight for women’s empowerment and gender equality to make her an iconic figure for many to this day.”
She added: “Now in its sixth year, Historic Environment Scotland’s Commemorative Plaque Scheme has cast a new light on some of the most outstanding figures in Scottish history, from all backgrounds and walks of life.”
Caroline Clark, grants operations manager at HES, said: “The beauty of our Commemorative Plaque Scheme is that it both highlights notable historic figures and brings attention to properties that were key to their stories. Christian Maclagan’s plaque is a worthy addition to our list of historic figures commemorated over the last six years.
“Christian was Scotland’s first female archaeologist and her dedication to recording and preserving antiquities and archaeological research into prehistoric Scotland remain important to this day.”
The HES Commemorative Plaque Scheme has been running since 2012 and honours significant people by erecting plaques on buildings where they lived or worked.