TAFAC is a group which holds meetings three times a year at various venues throughout Tayside and Fife.

Membership of the Committee is by invitation, but anyone who feels that they have a contribution to make can put their name forward for consideration.

There is no Ordinary Membership, but anyone who wishes to receive copies of the minutes of the Committee meetings, Newsletters and Annual Reports, can, for the sum of £10.00 per year, become a Corresponding Member by post. If you are happy to receive all information by email this service is free. To become a Corresponding Member contact the Mailing Secretary.

Anyone who has attended one of our conferences is automatically sent information about the next one.

Chair: Rachel Benvie is originally from Hertfordshire. She graduated with an MA in Archaeology from Cambridge University in 1985, and gained a postgraduate qualification in Museum Studies at Leicester University. She came to Montrose Museum as Assistant Curator in 1987, becoming Curator in 1991 and continuing to serve the Angus community until 2019. She previously served as Chair of TAFAC from 2008 to 2011, and as our Vice-chair thereafter.

Mailing Secretary: Eva Bennett is a member of both the Abertay Historical Society and the Archaeological Section of the Perthshire Society of Natural Science. She has been involved in Tayside archaeology since the early 1970s, when she dug at Elcho Nunnery with Dr Margaret Stewart. Eva is responsible for maintaining the list of corresponding members, distributing material to them and much else besides.

Treasurer, Newsletter Editor: John Sherriff is a native of Perth, graduating with an honours degree in Archaeology from University College, Cardiff in 1978. Following a spell with Angus District Museums (1980-84), he worked for the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) from 1986 to 2015, undertaking survey all over Scotland. Subsequently he managed the Archaeological Survey Team within the Heritage Directorate at Historic Environment Scotland. He has a particular personal interest in aspects of archaeology that appear to him to be otherwise neglected, including boundary stones, milestones, finger-posts, disused roads and so much more.

Publications Editor, Minutes Secretary: Derek Hall gained a Certificate in Practical Archaeology from the Dorset Institute of Higher Education and from 1976 to 1980 worked on excavations throughout Scotland and England. In 1980 he joined the Urban Archaeology Unit, the predecessor of SUAT Ltd. After a spell as a Senior Supervisor (1982-85) on several major excavations, he was appointed Field Officer, and eventually Depute Director. He has an extensive knowledge of Scottish burgh archaeology and considerable experience in the study and identification of Scottish medieval pottery. Since the demise of SUAT in July 2009 he has operated as a sole trader.

David Munro is chairman of Kinross Museum and is a member of the board of Living Lomonds Partnership Trust. He publishes widely on local historical and archaeological topics.

Moira Greig worked as Archaeologist for Aberdeenshire, Moray and Angus Councils before retiring from local government. She specialised in archaeological aerial photography and is a member of the international group, the Aerial Archaeology Research Group. She is the originator and leader of the Mason’s Mark Project, which undertakes surveys of stonemasons’ marks in many stone buildings over Scotland, working with local groups. Moira chaired TAFAC for four years from 2018 to February 2022. She is currently President of Archaeology Scotland and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Archaeologists.

Christina Donald  has been curator of Early History at the McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum since 2004. She has an MPhil in Archaeological Studies from Glasgow University and one in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester. Christina chaired TAFAC from 2006 to 2008 and from to 2011 to 2018.

Steve Liscoe has been part of the Fife Council Archaeological Unit since 2004 and has served as TAFAC Vice-chair, frequently chairing our conference sessions. Formerly a full time member of the Mary Rose Trust excavation team he was on staff at the Scottish Institute of Maritime Studies, based at the University of St Andrews, for thirteen years as a research and operational member of the UK Govt. Archaeological Diving Unit, undertaking hydrographic survey and diving inspection of Designated Historic Wreck sites.  It’s therefore no surprise that he has a particular interest in maritime archaeology.

Mark Hall is the History Officer at Perth Museum and Art Gallery (Culture Perth and Kinross). He hails from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, and attended the universities of Sheffield and Leicester. Since 1984 he has worked on a diverse number of archaeological sites and in a variety of museums, coming to Perth in 1995. He has been a member of TAFAC since 1995, was its Chairman from 1997-2004 and is a member of the TAFAC editorial sub-committee.

Catherine Smith is an animal bone specialist who has worked on faunal remains from archaeological sites throughout Scotland. Born and educated in Dundee, where she attended the former Dundee College of Technology, she has a strong connection with Perth, having worked for the Perth High Street Archaeological Committee, Scottish Urban Archaeological Trust/SUAT Ltd and Alder Archaeology in turn. She is currently the book sales secretary for the Abertay Historical Society.

Douglas Speirs is the Regional Archaeologist for Fife based with Fife Council in Kirkcaldy. Raised in the Scottish Borders, he graduated from Glasgow University with an honours MA degree in Archaeology and Scottish Medieval History. After working in the commercial archaeological sector he returned to university to graduate in 1993 with a M.Lit Archaeology degree (St Andrews). He was appointed Assistant Keeper (Research) with Aberdeen City Archaeological Unit before leaving in 1999 to take up his present position in which he is responsible for the management of the archaeological resource of Fife. His personal interests lie in the area of medieval archaeology and palaeography, subjects which he continues to research through his part-time PhD studies.

Clare Thomas is an archaeological consultant, specialising in medieval leather. She taught part-time at Perth College. She graduated with an honours degree in archaeology and history from the University of Southampton in 1972. She lives near Aberfeldy, and is a member of the Breadalbane Heritage Society. She has been on TAFAC since 1988, and was vice-chair for 6 years from 1994.

Sue Hamstead lectured at the University of Leeds in the Classics Department, after first following a career in computing. Sue is Education Officer with Save Wemyss Ancient Caves Society (SWACS), involved with various aspects of the running of the society, but mainly responsible for leading cave tours and giving talks on the caves.

Joe Fitzpatrick is a Director and Trustee of the Falkland Stewardship Trust in Fife and is the Trust Board’s archaeology champion. Educated at Moray House in Edinburgh and with a post graduate Diploma from Heriot Watt University, Joe spent his working life in Education and was a member of ADES (Association of Directors of Education in Scotland). He retired as a Head of Service with Fife Council at the end of 2014. In retirement he actively pursues his interest in History and Archaeology as well as studying as a member of the Open Association at St Andrews University. He has a particular interest in the Roman and Early Medieval periods in Scotland.

Bruce Manson is originally from Musselburgh where an early interest in archaeology led to his involvement in the discovery of  the Roman civil settlement at Inveresk. He has a Master’s degree in Urban Design and Regional Planning from Edinburgh University where he taught for a time before entering local government. Since retirement he has pursued his interests in local history and archaeology. He is an ex-Chair of Markinch Heritage Group and has organised several excavations in the area. Currently, he is examining the 12th century building fabric of Markinch Church, bringing together professional and voluntary skills. Bruce is the author of Fife, Why a Kingdom?  and MacDuff’s Kirk? Construction and Reconstruction.

Corrie Glover studied archaeology at the University of the Highlands and Islands. She lives in Blairgowrie and has been the Chairperson of UHI’s award winning Perth Archaeology and History Society for a number of years. She has participated in community archaeology projects in Perthshire, Stirlingshire and Fife and is also a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. She has represented Perthshire students at conferences and events and is actively interested in community archaeology in Central Scotland.

Rory McDonald is a Senior Designations Officer within the Heritage Directorate at Historic Environment Scotland.  Originally from the Scottish Borders, he graduated from the University of Edinburgh with an honours degree in Archaeology and Ancient History. He worked for Scottish Borders Council, as HER officer and latterly Archaeology Officer for 14 years before moving to Historic Scotland in 2008. He worked in the Inspectorate dealing with scheduled monument consent before moving into the Designations Team where he primarily deals with scheduled monuments. His particular interests lie in medieval and cropmark archaeology.

Rich Hiden is an archaeologist and the director of Hiden Archaeology and Heritage. Previously, as a member of the leadership team at The Scottish Crannog Centre, he guided the organization through institutional and cultural change. He also managed the construction of the Iron Age village and crannog. With 10 years of experience in the heritage sector, Rich is passionate about meaningful public engagement. He uses archaeology and heritage to tell important stories while also empowering others to share their own. He has worked closely with UNESCO Refugee Integration through Language and the Arts, Glasgow Association of Mental Health, Perth Women’s Aid, and numerous young people through apprenticeship programmes.

Hugh Levey is Treasurer of the Pictish Arts Society and represents them on TAFAC. He graduated from Manchester University in 1981 with a Bachelor of Music degree, before pursuing a career in Information Technology. In 2019 he received an M.Litt in Scottish History from Glasgow University, with a dissertation entitled, Towards Establishing the ‘rule-book’ of Pictish Symbol Usage. He has been interested in history from an early age and is an active musician and arranger.

Meghann Logue is the Exhibitions Lead for ANGUSalive, managing the permanent and temporary exhibitions at Montrose Museum and Art Gallery, Arbroath Signal Tower Museum, the Meffan Museum and Art Gallery in Forfar, the Lochty Gallery at Carnoustie Library, and the Corsar Gallery at Arbroath Library. She graduated from the University of Aberdeen in 2015 with a joint honours in History and Archaeology, and completed the MLitt in Museum Studies at the same university in 2018.