The Glasgow Archaeological Society organises and hosts a variety of activities throughout the year. These activities include an annual lecture programme, excursions, exhibitions, workshops, conferences, as well as the opportunity to attend more social events. Members are also regularly invited to participate in research or excavation projects from organisations and institutions from around Scotland.
Many of the activities organised by Glasgow Archaeological Society are open to members and non-members alike. All of our events are compiled here in our Society calendar. Please see the News section of our website for regular updates and announcements about our forthcoming activities, as well as an archive of past events and excursions.
Excursions
The Society organises a number of excursions each year for members and non-members alike. During the winter months the Society generally organises two local excursions, whilst in the summer the milder weather allows for two or three visits to more distant places of archaeological and historical interest. Some of our visits are to excavations in progress, or places which have been featured in one of our Society lectures.
Previous excursions organised by the Society have included visits to the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre, St Andrews Cathedral, Wanlockhead Lead Mining Village, and Tullie House Museum. The cost of these excursions vary, depending on admission costs and whether or not transport needs to be arranged.
If you are interested in joining us on any of our excursions, please contact our Excursions Convener via the Contact form above. It is essential to book your place in advance.
The Dalrymple Lectures
The Dalrymple Lectures are a series of free public lectures co-hosted by Glasgow Archaeological Society and the University of Glasgow. Held annually, the lectures focus on European topics of historic and archaeological interest, and have been made possible thanks to a generous bequest by James Dalrymple. The first lecture series was delivered in 1907, and speakers have included Lord Colin Renfrew, Dr. Chris Stringer, Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe, Professor Ian Hodder, Professor David Breeze, and Professor Andrew-Wallace Hadrill. The most recent Dalrymple Lecture welcomed Professor John C. Barrett, Emeritus Professor of Archaeology of the University of Sheffield, who gave a series of four lectures on Social Evolution in November 2015.
The Fund also generously supports the publication of the Scottish Archaeological Journal.
Annual Lecture Programme
Glasgow Archaeological Society also hosts and organises a monthly lecture programme, which usually runs from October to April every year. The lectures are held at the University of Glasgow in The Boyd Orr Building, University Avenue, and are usually open to members and non-members alike. See the Lectures section for more details.
Society Events
The Society has organised a number of events to mark special occasions in the Society's history, and our sesquicentennial – 150 years of Glasgow Archaeological Society – in 2006-2007 was no exception. Our celebrations included a Civic Reception held in Glasgow City Chambers, and the reopening of an excavation in Pollok Park. In 2008 we also celebrated the centennary of excursions to the Antonine Wall.
The Society also enjoys a more social element to many occasions, including occasional walks around the city, which are organised during the summer months, and the Presidential Dinner – held at the end of the president's three year term to celebrate and recognise their contribution to the Society and its membership. The Presidential Dinner (pictured left, from 2010) is attended by the outgoing President as well as Presidents past.