In a parallel universe, we’re currently preparing to welcome delegates to the Conan Stone conference jointly organised by the Scottish Society for Northern Studies (SSNS), the North of Scotland Archaeological Society (NoSAS) and the Pictish Arts Society (PAS) tomorrow morning. This evening we would be officially unveiling the restored stone in its new home at Dingwall Museum…

Sadly, all these events have been postponed due to the ongoing situation. The organising committee at SSNS, NoSAS and PAS wanted to take this opportunity to share a few photos with you provided by our good friends at Graciela Ainsworth Sculpture Conservation. These pictures of the Conan Stone were taken at the restoration workshop shortly before they closed as a non-essential business. Work is almost complete, and the stone will be delivered to its new home in the Highlands as soon as it is safe and practical to do so!

We’re still eager to hold the planned conference (and we’re most grateful to all our speakers who have agreed to keep their diaries open for us) in the spring of 2021 – we will keep you posted via all our usual channels of communication.

In the meantime, there are still plenty of ways to keep in touch with our respective activities. You can keep up with us all on Facebook (SSNS, NoSAS, PAS). SSNS has recently made vols. 46-49 its journal Northern Studies available digitally. NoSAS has been sharing lockdown blogs like this one. PAS, meanwhile, has been sharing fascinating podcasts about Pictish stones (here’s episode 1). Why not take a look – or let us know about anything you’ve been enjoying?

We’re very sorry not to be welcoming you to Inverness tomorrow, but please do stay safe and we hope to see you soon.

Ian Giles, SSNS Treasurer
Roland Spencer-Jones, NoSAS Chair
John Borland, PAS President