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The King’s Park, Stirling, is the oldest and best preserved Royal Park in Scotland and surrounds Stirling Castle, the ancient capital of Scotland. In December 2017, path works within the castle identified a previously unrecorded late prehistoric defended fort, built on the highest point in the park and right next to a golf course!
Stirling sits at the lowest crossing point of the River Forth and was the only way for armies to invade or resist invasion and of course played a key role in both the Battle of Stirling Bridge and the Battle of Bannockburn. The same factors exploited by Bruce and Wallace also influenced the Roman occupation of Scotland and the King’s Park fort most likely dates to this period when a series of enclosures where built at key locations to exploit Roman trade with northern Scotland.
The King’s Park fort is part of a long term, relaxed and open series of projects to explore the Late Prehistoric settlement patterns of the Forth Valley and will run from the 8 to 18 August 2023.
Between 9 and 17 August, the public are invited to come along for a taster afternoon (1 day maximum per person). Numbers are limited, email Dr Murray Cook FSAScot on [email protected] to book your place and receive further details of the dig.
There is also the option to join the excavation for longer at an increased price, for more information email Dr Cook or visit the website.
The training is open to all, is relaxed and easy going and you can learn as much or as little as you want to. You will have the opportunity to excavate archaeological remains that have never been examined before.
