In this final episode of Legend of the Highland Skull, the Grant lad hatches another surprise attack on the very people he now rules over and the legend comes to a tragic end.

Storyteller Isobella Hubbard reveals how the story is linked to the hinged skull.

Dan Cottam finally hears the results of the radio carbon dating analysis of the skull and whether the skull is indeed medieval. The University of Edinburgh archeologist Dr Sam Leggett shares her theories on the staining and about the life this person led. She also explains the University's position on consent and further destructive analysis.

Dan shares the findings with Lord Reidhaven and they discuss the background and motivations of Grigor Stuart, the author of the letter to Lady Caroline, the Countess of Seafield.

Dan and Isobella reflect on the power of stories and objects, and the rich journey of discovery they have shared along the way over the past months.

If you would like to hear further updates on the skull or other Highland clan history discoveries, sign up to Grantown Museum's newsletter.

Go to grantownmuseum.co.uk/legends and click the newsletter link.

Credits

Dan Cottam - Presenter and Grantown Museum curator

Jac Phillimore - Producer

Isobella Hubbard - Storyteller

Dr Sam Leggett - Medieval Archeologist, University of Edinburgh

Lord Reidhaven - Custodian of the skull

This project was delivered in partnership with The Space and Museums and Heritage Highland. It is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.

Episode 3 -The Attack

The Grant lad and his clansmen plan an attack on the Comyn of Freuchie and Dan explains the power and influence of the Comyn clan in medieval Scotland.

Cat Irving from the Surgeons’ Hall Edinburgh examines the skull to assess the health and diet of the person and to look for any obvious trauma. Could this person have died from a blow to the head in battle?

A contender for the skull emerges, following the attack on the Comyn of Freuchie’s stronghold.

Biomolecular archeologist Dr Sam Leggett from the University of Edinburgh takes on further analysis of the skull. She explains her work and the ethics around destructive sampling and reveals where this person lived in the last decade of their life.

Dr Leggett also shares insights into the global history around beheadings and the retention of human remains. She further explains the context in medieval Europe, predominantly a Catholic region, and how different periods right up to the Victorian times viewed and treated human remains.

Lord Reidhaven reflects on the supposed jinx of the skull and why his family didn’t like to talk about it.

And Dan shares the history of the decline of Comyn power in Scotland, involving a grizzly murder by Robert the Bruce which sparked the first Scottish War of Independence.

If you love Highland clan history and want to find out more about historical characters in this story, like the MacGregor, sign up to Grantown Museum's newsletter. Go to grantownmuseum.co.uk/legends and click the newsletter link.

Credits

Dan Cottam - Presenter and Grantown Museum curator

Jac Phillimore - Producer

Isobella Hubbard - Storyteller

Cat Irving - Human Remains Conservator, Surgeons’ Hall Museum, Edinburgh

This project was delivered in partnership with The Space and Museums and Heritage Highland.

It is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.

Grantown Museum curator Dan Cottam continues his search to find out if the skull in the handed down through generations of Grants is the one in the legend committed to paper in 1857.

While the medieval legend that surrounds it edges closer to bloodshed, Dan explains the rise of the Grants as a clan from the 13th century onwards and examines the evidence for their possible origins. He also examines the facts behind the legend. Could it be a clever bit of propaganda for the clan?

The Grant lad and the Macgregor girl parley at night with the MacGregor chief and his men. Will their thirty men stand up to this wrathful band of clansmen?
Human remains conservator Cat Irving from Surgeons Hall Edinburgh rings to share her findings on the age and sex of the skull based on her osteological examination.

Dan examines the significance of cattle, land and power in medieval Scotland. He explains the complex relationship between laird and his people as a result of the feudal system established by the Vikings and the Normans.

And, as the storyteller tells of plans for a surprise attack, do we have a contender for the skull?

If you love Highland clan history and want to find out more about historical characters in this story, like the MacGregor, sign up to Grantown Museum's newsletter. Go to grantownmuseum.co.uk/legends and click the newsletter link.

Credits

Dan Cottam - Presenter and Grantown Museum curator

Jac Phillimore - Producer

Isobella Hubbard - Storyteller

Cat Irving - Human Remains Conservator, Surgeons’ Hall Museum, Edinburgh

This project was delivered in partnership with The Space and Museums and Heritage Highland.

It is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.