SSNS Seminar – Dr Neil McGuigan – Scoto-Orcadian Relations in the Twelfth Century: A Re-examination

The SSNS Seminar Series continues on Thursday 29th May 2025 with Dr Neil McGuigan for his talk on Scoto-Orcadian Relations in the Twelfth Century.

This is a free, ticketed event; please register below.

Abstract: Traditional presentations of relations between Orkney and Scotland during the twelfth century have tended to emphasise ideological, territorial or cultural conflict. This paper re-evaluates such assessment, and rather than the kingdom’s opponent argues that Earl Harald’s career makes most sense when he is understood as a member its ruling elite.

Bio:

Neil McGuigan has authored a monograph on the life, times, and legacy of the Scottish monarch Máel Coluim III, which won the 2023 Frank Watson Book Prize for ‘best book-length original work on Scottish History published in the previous two years’. He has also edited a volume on the millennium of the Battle of Carham (c.1018), and written numerous contributions for journals and edited collections. He has a PhD from the University of St Andrews, where he is currently lectures on behalf of the Evening Degree programme. In addition, he is currently Associate Staff with the University of Dundee.

Registration below. Details for the Zoom meeting will be emailed in advance of the seminar.