BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
METHOD:PUBLISH
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
PRODID:-//WordPress - MECv7.18.0//EN
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.ssns.org.uk/
X-WR-CALNAME:Scottish Society for Northern Studies
X-WR-CALDESC:Exploring the Northern World
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
X-MS-OLK-FORCEINSPECTOROPEN:TRUE
BEGIN:VEVENT
CLASS:PUBLIC
UID:MEC-61180d33250addaa3b07e23e110c04f4@ssns.org.uk
DTSTART:20260224T190000Z
DTEND:20260224T203000Z
DTSTAMP:20251219T130000Z
CREATED:20251219
LAST-MODIFIED:20251219
PRIORITY:5
SEQUENCE:1
TRANSP:OPAQUE
SUMMARY:SSNS Seminar – Sheela-na-gigs in Scotland:  medieval survivals and the search for meaning
DESCRIPTION:The SSNS Seminar Series continues on Tuesday 24th February 2026 with Dr Rosemary Power for her talk on Sheela-na-gigs in Scotland: medieval survivals and the search for meaning\nThis is a free, ticketed event; please register below.\nAbstract:\nA rarity in Scotland are sheela-na-gigs, figures found both  inside and on the outer walls of churches, and in Ireland also in tower houses, and which are widespread in England.  They depict a contorted and usually aggressive female figure with enlarged genitalia.  The handful of Scottish carvings appear independent of each other in style, but all seem to have been professionally carved. This paper discusses the sheelas, together with a figure at Taynuilt in w the western Highlands which is today called a sheela-na-gig but appears to have originated as  a very different figure. Interpretations  of their original purposes are explored, together with more recent views.\n\nBio:\nRosemary Power writes academically mainly on Norse-Gaelic relations in the middle ages, and also on folk tradition.\nRegistration below. Details for the Zoom meeting will be emailed in advance of the seminar.\n \n
URL:https://www.ssns.org.uk/events/ssns-seminar-sheela-na-gigs/
ORGANIZER;CN=Scottish Society for Northern Studies:MAILTO:
LOCATION:Online
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.ssns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Video-screen.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR