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Daniel MacLean @danielmaclean.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Burghead 2025. What a year. Here is a snapshot of the upper citadel. 8/9th C brooch pin like one from Dunadd. A 2nd C spiral bead from inside a 8th/9th C building, very similar to one from the Croy hoard. The building is massive >7m long, a huge central hearth. Also me busy on the John Deere!

8/9th C penannular brooch pin, very similar to one from
Early Medieval royal hillfort Dunadd

A black and yellow spiral glass bead made in the 1st/2nd C. Very similar to one in the Early Medieval Croy hoard which dates to the 8th C

A Pictish building in plan. The left of the image shows a massive stone built hearth with associated flue or quenching pit. To the right is the base of a low stone wall which supported a far greater turf wall. On the outside of the turf wall are a line of post holes which may be associated with the support for the roof of the building.

An archaeologist busy pretending to excavate with a child’s toy ride on tractor

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Daniel MacLean @danielmaclean.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

A little more of Nigg. The first shows the ultra high relief of the Pictish masterpiece, zoom to the lions which roam the desert in St Jerome’s narrative. Then St’s Paul and Antony bowing over the space, books open, where the raven is bringing the consecrated host already broken. Truly spectacular.

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Daniel MacLean @danielmaclean.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

Some highlights from the @pictishartssociety.bsky.social field trip to Pictish Easter Ross on Saturday. The puzzlement of Kincardine, the masterpiece of Nigg, the sublime hunting panel of Shandwick and the fresh as the day it was carved spirals and key pattern of Hilton of Cadboll.

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Daniel MacLean @danielmaclean.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

A little walk up in the Urchany and Farley Forest yesterday #naturesky

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Daniel MacLean @danielmaclean.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

The appropriate texts were consulted 😂

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Daniel MacLean @danielmaclean.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

A selection of some of the bronze vessels from the Late Roman hoard found near Helmsdale, Sutherland. This was deposited sometime in the late 4thC or early 5thC Ad. The strainer and colander are absolutely sensational!

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Daniel MacLean @danielmaclean.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Todays #Pictish Symbol Stone of fascination from Easterton of Roseisle, Moray. This formed part of stone built cist grave of unusual plan and is carved on two faces, on differing orientations. The elegant Goose and Salmon on one face are some of the very finest of the incised Symbols.

A Pictish carved stone with Goose and Salmon symbols

A Pictish Carved stone with notched crescent, crescent and v-Rod, mirror and comb symbols

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Daniel MacLean @danielmaclean.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

So that’s #winter here then! Ben Wyvis looking very Christmas Cakey and Beinn a’ Bha’ach Àrd with plenty snow low down.

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Daniel MacLean @danielmaclean.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

Looking across the River Beauly (Farrar) to Wester Lovat

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Daniel MacLean @danielmaclean.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

These chains are tied into the Insular Military Style of elaborate silver dress items like handpins and spiral finger rings. Like those from the Norries Law hoard and here is that very very fine handpin!

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Daniel MacLean @danielmaclean.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

The amazing massive silver chain collar from Whitecleuch, Lanarkshire. This example is decorated with chip carved Pictish Symbols picked out in distinctive red enamel. This probably dates to the 5-6th C Ad

Massive silver chain terminal ring with Pictish symbol decoration

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Daniel MacLean @danielmaclean.bsky.social · 30/10/2023

The Priory really is a lovely little place to take a wee walk with the kids!

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Daniel MacLean @danielmaclean.bsky.social · 27/09/2023

Two sides of the same stone. The simply stunning Aberlemno Roadside cross slab.

The pseudo jewelled cross face of Aberlemno Roadside Pictish cross slab.

The crescent and vrod on the other face of Aberlemno Roadside crossslab. This is filled with key pattern and interlace.

The double disc and zrod on the symbol baring face of Aberlemno Roadside cross slab. This is filled with spiral pattern.

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Daniel MacLean @danielmaclean.bsky.social · 22/09/2023

For #FindsFriday a look back to 2017 and the final season digging Rhynie and snapshot of the amazing fins from that year. Stone and clay crucibles, Late Roman Amphora, clay moulds for handpins, brooches and their elaborate barrel shaped pins. Dating no later than the mid 6th C

A selection of finds from Rhynie in 2017. Clay moulds for brooches and hand pins, Late Roman Amphora sherds and metalworking crucibles.

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