Following on from a successful inaugural event last year, the second Perthshire Archaeology Week will be held from Saturday 29 May - Sunday 6 June 2004.

Hosted at venues throughout Perthshire, the 9-day week will again offer locals and visitors alike the opportunity to explore and learn more about their past.

A packed programme of events includes excavations, activities, exhibitions, guided tours and walks, lectures and talks. Many are suitable for all the family including those run by Historic Scotland, who are also offering discounted admissions to all their properties in the area throughout the week.

Looking forward to the event, Douglas Ritchie, Chief Executive of Perthshire Tourist Board said:

“The popularity of TV programmes such as “Time Team” and “Two Men in a Trench” demonstrates the level of public interest in archaeology. Both of these programmes will  feature excavations in Perthshire in the coming months.

Perthshire Archaeology Week aims to encourage both enthusiasts and people with a passing interest in history to explore more of our area’s outstanding historic sites. From exhibitions and lectures to guided walks and real time archaeological digs, there’s something for everyone in Perthshire Archaeology Week.” 

Opportunities to visit or even take part in an archaeological excavation are not the only highlight of Perthshire Archaeology Week 2004.

A journey of discovery awaits. Delve into Perthshire's neolithic past at The Cleaven Dyke; visit Rome's first and most northerly frontier, the Gask Ridge; be guided through the streets of medieval Perth; or investigate the area’s association with Constantine, son of Fergus King of the Picts, the legend of King Arthur and Shakespeare's Macbeth.

David Strachan, Archaeologist with Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust enthused,

"The archaeology of Perth and Kinross is extremely rich and varied, containing some of the most important and best preserved sites from prehistory, the Roman period and the Middle Ages. Perthshire Archaeology Week offers the chance for people to get out of their armchairs and find out more about the archaeology around them, and even learn a few new skills."

A Perthshire Archaeology Week leaflet containing full programme details is now available from all Perthshire Tourist Information Centres or by calling 01738 450600. Details can also be found on line by visiting www.perthshire.co.uk/archaeologyweek