Memorial lecture

THIS year’s memorial lecture at Shetland Museum and Archives will be given by archaeologist Dr Noel Fojut in memory of Whalsay-born scholar John Stewart.

Entitled Reassuringly normal, or seriously weird? Iron Age Shetland reconsidered in the light of Old Scatness, the event will be held on Saturday at 7.30pm.

The lecture will also mark the launch of a new Shetland Amenity Trust publication Old Scatness Volume 2: The Iron Age Broch and Village.

Stewart was born in Whalsay in 1903. Following an education in the isles and at Aberdeen University, he taught in Aberdeen for many years – but his passion was the language and history of Shetland. 

His research and book on Shetland place names still remains one of the most authoritative texts on the subject. His other notable publications include the 1956 Outline of Shetland Archaeology

In the lecture Fojut will look at what we now understand about Iron Age Shetland in the light of Old Scatness, and whether Shetland is fully in the NW European mainstream or out on a unique insular limb, a debate which has been going on for a long time in relation to more than one archaeological period.

Fojut has long-standing connections with Shetland, and indeed Old Scatness.  He first came to Shetland in 1974 as an undergraduate at the University of Aberdeen.

He was connected with Old Scatness from the start of the project, in early discussions and later in guiding it towards scheduled monument consent and helping to secure funding.

• Tickets for the lecture are free of charge and available from Shetland Museum and Archives reception. Booking is advised on (01595) 741562.