Helen Spencer
@helspencer.bsky.social
900 followers 890 following 120 posts
Head of Research at Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. PhD in archaeological glass science. Consultant in museum and heritage collections care. Trustee at Tarbat Discovery Centre. Interested in all things #archaeology #museums #glass #Scotland #heritage
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Reposted by Helen Spencer
joanavaldez.bsky.social
A few years ago I was invited to take part in the History Hit documentary "Mysteries of Prehistoric Scotland". I thought you'd need a subscription to watch the whole episode, but it just randomly appeared as a suggestion for me to watch on YouTube. But you can watch the whole thing here...
The Lost World Of Prehistoric Scotland: Inside Kilmartin Glen's Tombs
YouTube video by Odyssey - Ancient History Documentaries
www.youtube.com
Reposted by Helen Spencer
churchheritage.bsky.social
Our visit to East Church, Inverness, offered a glimpse into transformation in progress ⛪️ thanks to Murto for opening the doors and showing us around the interior whilst work continues - scaffolding and plans all mixed together! #ReACH #churchheritage
Image of church on corner of the road, with purple doors. Road has yellow boxes painted on. The corner of the church has turret and arched windows. Above is a blue sky
Reposted by Helen Spencer
socantscot.bsky.social
We are pleased to be supporting this event, which includes a talk on Ursula Clark’s photographs for ‘Architecture of Scotland’ by George Hay. A Fellow of the Society from 1953 to 1986, George was one of the most accomplished practitioners and interpreters of the distinctive architecture of Scotland.
scotsarchives.bsky.social
Shifting Perspectives: Scotland's Urban Architecture Through the Lens will explore how photography has shaped and recorded the urban architectural heritage of Scotland.

Find out more and book your space here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shifting-p...
Shifting Perspectives: Scotland's Urban Architecture Through the Lens
The conference will explore how photography has shaped and recorded the urban architectural heritage of Scotland.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
helspencer.bsky.social
The Stories on Skins exhibition can be seen at Tarbat Discovery Centre until the end of October when we close for the winter season, along with the original finds from the excavations of site - including manuscript making tools.

🏺#Archaeology
A museum gallery with a wooden desk, cattle skins, parchment, quills and other materials used to create medieval manuscripts A page of parchment with colourful early medieval style decoration - and a number of materials used to make the colorants in the background
helspencer.bsky.social
The reimagined manuscript pages created by Thomas for our #NLHF funded #StoriesOnSkins project are amazing pieces or art, using techniques as close as possible to how manuscript pages would have been made at Portmahomack.
helengittos.bsky.social
Thomas Keyes demonstrating how manuscripts like the Book of Kells and Lindisfarne Gospels were made. Videos from a Lottery funded project based at the Tarbat Discovery Centre. Thanks to @victoriawhitworth.bsky.social for the link www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSJd...
Stories on Skins: Calligraphy
YouTube video by Tarbat Discovery Centre
www.youtube.com
Reposted by Helen Spencer
scotarchstrat.bsky.social
Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy Committee needs a new Chair! Are you interested in leading the committee as it launches Scotland’s next Archaeology Strategy in the Spring of 2026? Follow the link below to learn more about the role and how to apply.
archaeologystrategy.scot/scotlands-ar...
Intricate interlace pattern carved into a stone surface - panel from one of the Early Medieval West Highland graveslabs of Kilmoden, Argyll.
helspencer.bsky.social
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.
Reposted by Helen Spencer
socantscot.bsky.social
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
Reposted by Helen Spencer
churchheritage.bsky.social
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
Reposted by Helen Spencer
scotchurchestrust.bsky.social
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...
helspencer.bsky.social
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!
socantscot.bsky.social
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
Reposted by Helen Spencer
churchheritage.bsky.social
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
Reposted by Helen Spencer
scotchurchestrust.bsky.social
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.
helspencer.bsky.social
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!
Reposted by Helen Spencer
bryonycoombs.bsky.social
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!
scotchurchestrust.bsky.social
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
helspencer.bsky.social
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
Reposted by Helen Spencer
scarf-scot.bsky.social
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
Reposted by Helen Spencer
scotchurchestrust.bsky.social
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...
Reposted by Helen Spencer
socantscot.bsky.social
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
Reposted by Helen Spencer
socantscot.bsky.social
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
Reposted by Helen Spencer
scarf-scot.bsky.social
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
Cairn Holy Chambered Cairn © ScARF
Reposted by Helen Spencer
scarf-scot.bsky.social
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
Reposted by Helen Spencer
scotsarchives.bsky.social
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
Reposted by Helen Spencer
scotchurchestrust.bsky.social
"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
Reposted by Helen Spencer