Name: Ancient Odysseys: King’s Park Archaeology Dig, Stirling
Start: 2026-08-09
End: 2026-08-15
Location: Stirling

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About King's ParkThe 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.

Stirling

Ancient Odysseys: King’s Park Archaeology Dig, Stirling

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Ancient Odysseys: King’s Park Archaeology Dig, Stirling in Stirling

About King's ParkThe 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.

Airfares

Transportation to and from the dig site. Transportation to and from Stirling can be provided for an additional fee, upon request.  

Transportation

Meals

Bar bills, room service, alcoholic drinks, laundry etc.

Personal items

Personal, travel and medical insurance (mandatory proof needed)

Insurance

Payment/Cancellation

Full payment on booking

Up to 61 days prior 

60 - 31 days prior

Under 30 days

6 nights hotel accommodation at The Stirling Highland Hotel

Accommodation

Breakfasts daily at hotel and pocked lunches on dig days, 1 farewell dinner

The cost of the dig includes funds to support the archaeological fieldwork and research

Dig Costs

All tools for archaeological excavation are provided, along with dedicated on-site training, instruction, and supervision.

Dig Tools

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.

How you will make an impact on this dig

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. ​​

What to Expect

<ul><li class="ui-30d40835-py-17 ui-30d40835-bg-gray-400 ui-30d40835-border-gray-400">Breakfast is included at the hotel</li><li class="ui-30d40835-py-17 ui-30d40835-bg-gray-400 ui-30d40835-border-gray-400">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</li><li class="ui-30d40835-py-17 ui-30d40835-bg-gray-400 ui-30d40835-border-gray-400">9am on site for a briefing and to begin work</li><li class="ui-30d40835-py-17 ui-30d40835-bg-gray-400 ui-30d40835-border-gray-400">Coffee breaks included</li><li class="ui-30d40835-py-17 ui-30d40835-bg-gray-400 ui-30d40835-border-gray-400">The group breaks for packed lunch together, You’ll be bringing your own lunches and snacks.</li><li class="ui-30d40835-py-17 ui-30d40835-bg-gray-400 ui-30d40835-border-gray-400">4pm daily fieldwork ends with a review of your daily finds</li><li class="ui-30d40835-py-17 ui-30d40835-bg-gray-400 ui-30d40835-border-gray-400">On your final evening, you'll join the group for a farewell dinner</li><li class="ui-30d40835-py-17 ui-30d40835-bg-gray-400 ui-30d40835-border-gray-400">Toilets are onsite.</li></ul>

Daily Schedule

You will be trained in the techniques of excavation, including:&nbsp;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Hands-on Fieldwork Training·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Stratigraphy training·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Archaeological Planning, Reporting and Documentation·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Heritage Conservation InitiativesAll 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.

Training

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.&nbsp;​

Optional Fieldtrips and Lectures

All AgesMinors under 18 must be accompanied by parents or guardians.

Age Limits

All accommodations including breakfast and a packed lunch and beverages are included in the cost. In addition, all training, tools and equipment are included.&nbsp;Please note that all field work is weather dependent. Scottish weather is variable, so please pack:<ul><li class="ui-30d40835-py-17 ui-30d40835-bg-gray-400 ui-30d40835-border-gray-400">Hiking boots, preferably waterproof</li><li class="ui-30d40835-py-17 ui-30d40835-bg-gray-400 ui-30d40835-border-gray-400">Wear clothes that can get dirty and bring layers for changeable weather, including rain</li><li class="ui-30d40835-py-17 ui-30d40835-bg-gray-400 ui-30d40835-border-gray-400">Waterproof rain jacket</li><li class="ui-30d40835-py-17 ui-30d40835-bg-gray-400 ui-30d40835-border-gray-400">Sunscreen</li><li class="ui-30d40835-py-17 ui-30d40835-bg-gray-400 ui-30d40835-border-gray-400">Gardening/work gloves</li><li class="ui-30d40835-py-17 ui-30d40835-bg-gray-400 ui-30d40835-border-gray-400">A wide-brim hat</li><li class="ui-30d40835-py-17 ui-30d40835-bg-gray-400 ui-30d40835-border-gray-400">Water bottle</li></ul>

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Ancient Odysseys: King’s Park Archaeology Dig, Stirling

Ancient Odysseys: King’s Park Archaeology Dig, Stirling

About this trip

How you will make an impact on this dig

What to Expect

Daily Schedule

Training

Optional Fieldtrips and Lectures

Age Limits

What to bring

What’s included

What’s not included

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