Paid Volunteer at Ancient Odysseys

Aug 9-15, 2026 from £1,699/pp

The King’s Park, Stirling, is the oldest and best-preserved Royal Park in Scotland. It surrounds Stirling Castle in the ancient capital of Scotland. The town played a significant role in the Wars of Independence against England as William Wallace and Robert the Bruce achieved their most famous victories at the Battle of Stirling Bridge and the Battle of Bannockburn here. The Castle is one of Scotland’s best-preserved and most important stone fortresses, and served as both a royal residence and a strategic stronghold. It protected the infant Mary, Queen of Scots, and her mother, Marie de Guise, during Henry VIII’s “Rough Wooing,” and was where Mary spent her infancy and was crowned in 1542.

New discoveries at Stirling have unearthed a deeper history, dating from the Late Bronze Age. In December 2017, construction at the castle uncovered a previously unrecorded late prehistoric defended hillfort, occupied through the Roman invasion of Scotland and built on the highest point in the park. And, a Roman Iron Age burial mound was discovered in 2025. These features were built at key locations to exploit Roman trade with northern Scotland.

Work in 2025 will focus on continued excavation of the hillfort where you’ll assist in exposing the road and the search for a gate. You’ll also work to excavate two burial mounds at a previously unknown Roman Iron Age burial site.

As the site is excavated, will bring a deeper understanding to Late Prehistoric settlement patterns and how the native people interacted with the Roman conquest.

By joining archaeological work at King’s Park you’ll gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills with a mix of traditional and modern archaeological techniques. Participants work alongside experts, directly contributing to meaningful discoveries while fostering a shared appreciation for Scotland’s archaeological treasures.

On your first night, you'll meet Dr. Cook for a pint at a local pub and Dr. Cook will provide orientation and training as you work together. Everyone is welcome, no previous knowledge or experience is required.

You will be trained in the techniques of excavation, including:

• Hands-on Fieldwork Training
• Stratigraphy training
• Archaeological Planning, Reporting and Documentation
• Heritage Conservation Initiatives

All artifacts will be analysed by the National Museum of Scotland then processed through the Scottish Treasure Trove system for deposition in a local museum.

The nature of excavation requires participants to be physically independent, with the ability to carry a backpack with a water bottle, and sit, kneel, crouch, and lay on the ground for extended periods of time in hot outdoor conditions. The activity will also include standing and walking for extended periods of time in primitive outdoor conditions. There are toilets on-site.

Accommodations and all breakfasts and lunches are provided.