Double Digging for Britain!
Published: 4 February 2026
Glasgow University archaeology projects recently starred in the same episode of the BBC TV programme 'Digging for Britain'! Projects in Glencoe and Kelvingrove Park were showcased, a real celebration of the exciting post-medieval and contemporary research we do in the Archaeology Department.
Dr Eddie Stewart and Dr Tori Herridge. Image: BBC Digging for Britain, Series 13, Episode 1, 2026
In Glencoe the team have been exploring the remains of a 17th - 18th century township called Achnacon in partnership with the National Trust for Scotland, with tales of connections, conflict, life and death emerging from the earth in this famous glen. Presenter Dr Tori Herridge was guided round the excavations by Dr Eddie Stewart and was able to see some of the exciting finds made. Discoveries from the 2025 season included musket balls perhaps from the 1692 massacre of Glencoe, pottery imported from Germany and France for the community of Glencoe, and silver coins buried perhaps as part of spiritual practices to bless the home. From these findings the team have been able to tell new stories about the people who called Glencoe home in the 17th and 18th centuries, from what and how they ate and drank, to how they dressed, where they lived and how they made sense of their changing world.
Dr Kenny Brophy and Dr Tori Herridge. Image: BBC Digging for Britain, Series 13, Episode 1, 2026
Back in Glasgow, unique excavations of a 1970s concrete skatepark in Kelvingrove Park were featured. Tori spoke to our own Dr Kenny Brophy, archaeologist Kieran Manchip (Archaeology Scotland) as well as Jamie Blair (Clan Skates) and some young skateboarders who helped on the excavation. This short-lived piece of the park's sporting heritage has laid buried and almost forgotten for nearly 45 years and its excavation has offered us tantalising insights into youth culture, sporting history and memory in Glasgow's famous park. As well as exploring the excavation itself with Kenny, Tori also had a chance to look at some of the most unusual objects covered in Digging for Britain with Kieran. Key finds including sweet and crisp packets from 1983, which helped to confirm when the skatepark was buried by the Council for safety reasons. Along with graffiti that was recorded, these discoveries provide tangible and relatable connections to the recent past focused on Scotland's first concrete skatepark. This was the first archaeological excavation of a skatepark in the world.
Our excavations featured on Digging for Britain series 13 episode 1, initially broadcast on 9th January 2026, and available (UK only) on the BBC iPlayer.
First published: 4 February 2026
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