Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Helen Spencer @helspencer.bsky.social · 7h

Noticed the #31DaysOfGraves tag was #Glass today and couldn’t not share this gravestone in Tranent churchyard, East Lothian.

A gravestone for Thomas Waugh, glazier, dated to 1705 which shows the tools of his trade and a lozenge of glass. He was a glass worker, likely at nearby Morison’s Haven.

The top half of a worn stone gravestone in a grassy graveyard. There is a carved hand holding a lozenge of glass along with tools - including a blow pipe, a set square and a pinching tool.

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Reposted by Helen Spencer

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland @socantscot.bsky.social · 10h

NEW ScARF CHAPTERS: Our @scarf-scot.bsky.social project are busy creating a free online resource bringing together everything archaeologists currently know about South West Scotland's complex past.

Want a preview? Read (and comment on) the first three draft chapters here: scarf.scot/regional/sws...

Photo of two people kneeling next to a shallow archaeological trench with a grid over it

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Research in Action on Church Heritage @churchheritage.bsky.social · 1d

Fieldwork at Old High Church, Inverness - one of Scotland's most historic urban churches and is deeply significant to both the local community and visitors #ReACH #churchheritage

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Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 11h

Day 8 of #31DaysOfGraves - Glass

When visiting a graveyard, have you ever wondered what these flat marble plates, reminiscent of chopping boards, are?

They're the bases of Victorian/Edwardian "Immortelles" that once held fragile memorial ornaments under a glass dome. Not many now survive intact...

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Helen Spencer @helspencer.bsky.social · 21d

I have a very small piece on the copper alloy assemblage in the new @socantscot.bsky.social Finalggan Monograph.

I did the conservation and analysis back in 2000 - as a conservation intern - so it’s been 25 years since I first wrote the report!

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland @socantscot.bsky.social · 21d

NEW BOOK: 'The Archaeology of Finlaggan, Islay'

We are thrilled to announce the release of our book by Dr David Caldwell FSAScot, which reveals the results of a major archaeological project at Finlaggan on Islay, the site of a medieval kingdom’s centre of power: www.socantscot.org/uncategorize...

Illustration of a medieval castle spread across two islands and overlaid text which says: New Book

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Research in Action on Church Heritage @churchheritage.bsky.social · 21d

We had a brilliant afternoon with @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social and @socantscot.bsky.social! More celebrations of our launch event coming soon on our socials and our BRAND NEW website churchheritage.scot

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Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 26d

What a fantastic launch event yesterday for @churchheritage.bsky.social, our collaborative project with @socantscot.bsky.social supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund and Pilgrim Trust.

Chaired by @lizzieswarbrick.bsky.social, we heard from 20 wonderful speakers followed by a panel discussion.

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Helen Spencer @helspencer.bsky.social · 26d

Thank you for coming and contributing to our lightning talk session!

An amazing breadth of fascinating research going on across Scotland and we are really looking forward to working with everyone over the next two years on the
@churchheritage.bsky.social project!

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Dr Bryony Coombs @bryonycoombs.bsky.social · 27d

What an inspiring, interesting and broad ranging event this was! Some organisational magic must have gone on to get so many institutions in one room! Really brilliant work!

Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 28d

If you LOVE Scottish church heritage and you're at loose end in Edinburgh tomorrow you can still book a free ticket for the launch of @churchheritage.bsky.social

This is the Heritage Lottery Fund & Pilgrim Trust funded project we're working on with our lovely colleagues at @socantscot.bsky.social

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Helen Spencer @helspencer.bsky.social · 27d

Thanks to all our speakers and attendees at our first @churchheritage.bsky.social project symposium.

A busy afternoon of lightning talks, discussion and networking and hopefully the start of lots of collaboration over the next 2 years. @socantscot.bsky.social
@scotchurchestrust.bsky.social

4 people sat on a stage taking part in a discussion. The venue is an old church building. There are two banners on the stage. The audience is looking at the discussion

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ScARF @scarf-scot.bsky.social · Sep 8

Draft chapters for the South West Scotland Archaeological Research Framework are now live and we'd love your feedback!

You can comment directly on the framework through the ScARF website. More info about the drafts and our commenting feature can be found in our latest newsletter: bit.ly/42hUYVx

Surveying the site of a high ground airplane wreck dating to World War 2 on the Corserine in Galloway © Rathmell Archaeology Limited

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Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · Aug 26

Hot off the press! We are very excited to be launching this exciting church research project with our colleagues @socantscot.bsky.social, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Pilgrim Trust.

It's Free, in-person & online, but booking is essential 👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/launch-eve...

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Society of Antiquaries of Scotland @socantscot.bsky.social · Aug 18

Are you a student or early career researcher who wants to attend a conference or event in Scotland which is relevant to Scottish archaeology?

Our @scarf-scot.bsky.social project is offering bursaries which can contribute to registration, travel and accommodation costs: scarf.scot/students/stu...

Stone bridge going over a river with overlaid text that reads: ScARF bursaries

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Society of Antiquaries of Scotland @socantscot.bsky.social · Aug 20

FUNDING NEWS: We recently awarded £17,478 to 11 projects investigating Scotland's past.

This includes excavation and survey work at Scotland's first skatepark in Glasgow, "a place that was so special for hundreds of young people just decades ago": www.socantscot.org/news/society...

Photo of young people in casual attire and protective clothing clustered around a bowl at a skatepark watching each other drop in

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ScARF @scarf-scot.bsky.social · Aug 20

Are you interested in the archaeology of South West Scotland?

Join us at our first events for the SWSARF project! We'll be at Brodick Hall on 27th Sept and The CatStrand on 4th Oct discussing all things early-prehistoric.

Head to our Eventbrite page for more info: bit.ly/4lEC5mp

#HESSupported

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ScARF @scarf-scot.bsky.social · Aug 14

Our August newsletter is available now!☀️

Click the link below to read our latest updates, including an invite to our upcoming events for the SWSARF project.

Read the full newsletter here: bit.ly/4moAXF2

#HESSupported

Top left: Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland at the Innerpeffrey Library on the annual summer excursion © Society of Antiquaries of Scotland; Top right: Telford’s Bridge, Dunkeld © ScARF; Bottom: Machrie Moor 2 stone circle © ScARF

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Scottish Council on Archives @scotsarchives.bsky.social · Aug 13

Are you looking to recruit a diverse range of volunteers for your archive?

Then post your roles on the Make Your Mark volunteering portal! Whatever role you need, it’s a great way to reach people passionate about heritage and archives.

Find out more: www.scottisharchives.org.uk/latest/find-...

Find new volunteers through Make Your Mark - Scottish Council on Archives

10 July 2025

www.scottisharchives.org.uk

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Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · Aug 13

"Conserving Windows: The Rare Art of Stained Glass Conservation"

Excellent blog from Gordon Muir, Stained Glass Craft Fellow at Historic Environment Scotland, about his recent work conserving the magnificent windows of Alf & Gordon Webster.

Well worth a read 👇
blog.engineshed.scot/2025/08/08/c...

Engine Shed guidance for owners and occupiers of traditional buildings

Engine Shed guidance on how to care for your traditional property and improve its energy efficiency, and on what kind of consents you might need to make changes to it.

blog.engineshed.scot

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Gavin MacGregor @gavinmacgregor.bsky.social · Jul 24

Great opportunity to join the @archscot.bsky.social team and work with @clydevalleyarf.bsky.social @eddiecstewart.bsky.social & our partners @scarf-scot.bsky.social @helspencer.bsky.social @uofglasgow.bsky.social @urbanprehistorian.bsky.social & WoSAS

#HESsupported #PublicArchaeology #Archaeology

David Connolly BAJR @bajr-badger.bsky.social · Jul 16

Clyde Valley Archaeological Research Framework (CVARF) Research Development Officer
Archaeology Scotland
Salary: £32,373.72
Closing Date: 01/08/25
Location: Central Scotland
www.bajr.org/job-ad/cvarf...

CVARF Research Development Officer - BAJR - British Archaeology Jobs and Resources

Salary: £32,373.72Closing Date: 01/08/25Location: Central Scotland

www.bajr.org

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Helen Spencer @helspencer.bsky.social · Jul 9

New research into the public value and support for the preservation of the heritage of church buildings.

Something we’ll be exploring in our @scotchurchfutures.bsky.social project over the next two years.

historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/ne...

Public Backs Historic Churches: Research Reveals Significant 'Heritage Premium' | Historic England

New research reveals strong public support for preserving historic churches.

historicengland.org.uk

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The Architectural Heritage Fund @archhfund.org.uk · Jul 8

The Key to Success! 🗝

Three #AHFsupported groups across Scotland have recently taken ownership of historic buildings at the heart of their communities – a major milestone that will enable them to develop their heritage as important assets for the future.

Find out more:
👉 bit.ly/45UslAx

Gracemount Mansion Development Trust and Audrey Carlin, AHF Scotland Trustee and Chair of AHF Grants Panel, at the historic Gracemount Mansion in south Edinburgh. Image courtesy of Historic Environment Scotland.

The exterior of Campsie High Kirk in Lennoxtown. Credit - Ronnie Shephard.

The exterior of The Tomb of the Eagles on Orkney.

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Ashmolean Museum, Oxford @ashmoleanmuseum.bsky.social · Jul 8

This beautiful Venetian Renaissance gilt and enamelled ewer dates to the 16th century.⁠
⁠
It is made of a type of ‘crystal’ clear, pure glass known as ‘cristallo’. This particular object has been decorated with designs derived from classical motifs.
⁠
✨ Ewer, early 16th century. WA1899.CDEF.G86⁠

Glass ewer decorated with enamelled foliage scrolls

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Helen Spencer @helspencer.bsky.social · Jul 8

Find out more about Clava type Cairns in our @scarf-scot.bsky.social Highland regional case study

#TombTuesday

scarf.scot/regional/hig...

Case Study: Clava Type Cairns | The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

scarf.scot

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Helen Spencer @helspencer.bsky.social · Jul 8

Finally made it to the Clava Cairns last weekend on the way back from the Highlands! Have meant to drop by many times on the way up or down the A9 and missed the @scarf-scot.bsky.social rock art workshop there in May so made a special stop this time.

#TombTuesday

A large mound of stones in a circle with a stone circle around the outside. Set in a grass field with trees behind

A passage way into a stone cairn with larger stones either side of the entrance

A stone on the edge of a cairn covered in moss with a series of cup marks carved into the surface

A round stone cairn on the left with a large vertical rectangular standing stone to the right and more prehistoric stone remains in the distance

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Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · Jul 4

In case you missed our big news this week, we've embarked on a new collaboration with our colleagues at @socantscot.bsky.social, supported by Heritage Lottery Fund, to assess the scale of heritage loss as a consequence of the mass sale of Scottish churches. 👇

www.heraldscotland.com/news/2527341...

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