Fancy yourself as the next Indiana Jones?
A month of events celebrating the best of Perthshire’s archaeology kicks off in September.
Perth and Kinross Archaeology Month will launch on September 4 with a community dig in Dunkeld and will be followed by guided walks, battle demonstrations, wood working and stone carving.
Now in its 15th year, the region’s archaeology month has been pushed from June to September, to coincide with national archaeology events.
Running for two weeks, the excavation will take place at the King’s Seat and visitors can help unlock secrets of the fort.
For those who prefer to watch instead of getting their hands dirty, Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust is also hosting a Living History Fair at Dunkeld’s Stanley Park, with demonstrations of life in the first century, inspired by discoveries from previous digs at the King’s Seat.
Elsewhere in Perthshire, the Castle, House and Chapel of Gleneagles will be open for exploring on September 15 and in the city centre, a roadshow will be held over two days at the end of the month to showcase traditional building skills including stone carving, slating, joinery and decorating.
Members of the Fife and Tayside Traditional Buildings Forum, apprentices and building professionals will be on hand at the show, in King Edward Street, on September 24 and 25, to answer questions and demonstrate the skills.
A guided tour of Greyfriars burial ground in Perth, which features some of the oldest gravestones in Scotland, will also feature.
Despite scaling back on events, following last year’s mammoth festival for archaeology year, organisers have vowed not to disappoint.
Dr Gavin Linsday, research and engagement officer with Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust, said: “Thanks to the continued and generous funding of the Gannochy Trust, we’re delighted to be bringing archaeology month back to the residents and visitors of Perth and Kinross.
“Archaeology month might be a lot smaller this year but it’s got some really great features to look forward to.
“The historic environment that surrounds us in Perth and Kinross is truly outstanding and has helped shape the landscape we live and work in today.
“Archaeology month is a really exciting time for us at the trust as it gives us the chance to encourage people to get out and explore their cultural heritage and discover more about the past through historic places around them.”
Archaeology month coincides with Doors Open days across the region, when historic, civic and other interesting buildings can be explored for free.
Various buildings will be throwing open their doors, starting with Highland and East Perthshire on September 15 and 16, followed by Strathearn and Kinross-shire on September 22 and 23, finishing with Perth city centre on September 29 and 30.
For full details of events visit www.pkht.org.uk.
