About King's Park

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 at the King’s Park project in Stirling receives no external funding and has no dedicated excavation team. Dig fees are the sole source of funding that keeps the project active. By joining Dr. Murray Cook, you will assist in uncovering Stirling’s significant place in Scottish history and bring a deeper understanding to Late Prehistoric settlement patterns and how the native people interacted with the Roman conquest.

All the digs featured on Ancient Odysseys are non-profits and rely upon visitors and donations to continue their important scientific work. Please consider donating if you would like to support this organization's mission. All donations are tax deductible.

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. ​​

• Breakfast is included at the hotel

• You’ll be met at your hotel by a member of the dig team and take the 15 minute walk to the site for a 9am start time

• 9am on site for a briefing and to begin work

• Coffee breaks included

• The group breaks for packed lunch together, You’ll be bringing your own lunches and snacks.

• 4pm daily fieldwork ends with a review of your daily finds

• On your final evening, you'll join the group for a farewell dinner

• Toilets are onsite.

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.

For an additional fee, Dr. Cook is available after fieldwork is complete to lead the group for a tour along Stirling's City Walls—known as the Back Walk— that follows the line of the medieval city walls dating from the 16th to 18th century. He is also available to lead a lithic and pottery lecture and session. ​

All Ages

Minors under 18 must be accompanied by parents or guardians.

All accommodations including breakfast and a packed lunch and beverages are included in the cost. In addition, all training, tools and equipment are included. 

Please note that all field work is weather dependent. Scottish weather is variable, so please pack:

• Hiking boots, preferably waterproof

• Wear clothes that can get dirty and bring layers for changeable weather, including rain

• Waterproof rain jacket

• Sunscreen

• Gardening/work gloves

• A wide-brim hat

• Water bottle