In the late 1990s, some enthusiastic village historians in Abernethy, Perthshire had an idea to create a museum which represented the past, present and future residents of the village. The dream became a reality, and in 2000 the brand new Museum of Abernethy opened its doors to the public for the first time. After 25 years the Museum is still staffed and managed entirely by volunteers from the community; an incredible achievement.
Though we be but little, we are fierce! Abernethy has a long, and we consider, important history from the prehistoric to the modern day, with Iron Age, Pictish, Roman and medieval ecclesiastical remains having been found locally.
As part of a series of events to mark the 25th Anniversary of the museum we are hosting a full day of accessible, public talks covering key periods in Abernethy’s history. The talks will present up-to-date research and study in fields relevant to the history of Abernethy including recent local excavations, church history and our Pictish and Roman past.
There are 2 sessions to the day:
MORNING
10.00am -10.15am -Welcome
10.15am -10.45am 1 - David Strachan - Castle Law, Abernethy
10.45am -11.15am 2 - Dr Andrew Tibbs -Nasty, Short and Brutish: Life in Scotland Under Roman Occupation
11.15am -11.30am -Short Break
11.30am -12.00noon 3 - Dr Mark Hall -The Many Faces of Pictish (?) Abernethy: The Quadrocephalous Stone from Glenfoot
12.00noon- 12.30pm 4 - Prof. Gordon Noble - Northern Picts goes South
AFTERNOON
1.30pm -2.00pm 5- David McGovern - Adventures of a Pictish Stonecarver
2.00pm -2.30pm 6 - Derek Hall - 'They had ancientlie in this abbey 4 great bells....' The University of St Andrews Monastic Field School at Lindores Abbey
2.30pm -2.45pm -Short Break
2.45pm -3.15pm 7 - Prof Kate Britton - PALaEoScot: new approaches to Scotland's oldest archaeology
2.15pm- 3.45pm 8 - Dr Allan Kennedy - Serious Crime in Late Seventeenth-Century Perthshire
3.45pm -4.00pm -Thanks
PLEASE NOTE, THAT IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND BOTH SESSIONS, YOU MUST SELECT A TICKET FOR EACH.
Other Important information
- There is some parking around the Williamson Hall, but parking in the village is limited. Please consider using public transport if possible. The number 65 bus runs regularly between Perth and St Andrews - the timetable can be found on the Stagecoach website.
- Options for lunch are limited, with one small, but fabulous, Cafe and a village shop. It may be advisable to bring a packed lunch.
