News

Ancient Roman altars discovered in Scotland to be exhibited

A forthcoming exhibit will feature two ancient Roman altars dedicated to Mithra, recently obtained for the nation’s cultural collection.

A pair of ancient Roman stone altars, recently acquired by the National Museums of Scotland, will be showcased to the public for the first time as part of an upcoming exhibition, offering a glimpse into the nation's rich history.

2 Ancient Roman altars being looked at by curator Dr Fraser Hunter. — The monuments gave frontier soldiers a sense of comfort and purpose, says Dr Fraser Hunter

These altars, dating back nearly 2,000 years, were utilized by Roman soldiers who worshipped the deity Mithras at a temple located at the northernmost boundary of the Roman empire.

The discovery of these remarkable altars was made in East Lothian's Inveresk, with estimates suggesting they originated around 140AD, a time when southern Scotland was being reoccupied under the rule of Emperor Antoninus Pius.

Although the National Museums of Scotland acquired the altars in 2016, the institution has only now announced the acquisition, coinciding with the reveal of a new exhibition scheduled to open in November.

The exhibition, titled Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire, is set to run from 14 November 2026 to 28 April 2027, providing a unique opportunity for the public to engage with Scotland's Roman past.

2 Ancient Roman altars at the National Museums Collection Centre. — The two altars were set up by a Roman centurion whose name was written in short form as G CAS FLA, likely meaning Gaius Cassius Flavianus

As the only examples of their kind discovered in Scotland, the altars are a significant archaeological find, having been excavated in 2010.

Following their excavation, the altars underwent conservation efforts to repair and reconstruct the fragments that had formed over time, in preparation for their public display.

According to experts, these altars would have been the central feature of the most northerly known Mithras temple within the Roman empire.

The cult of Mithras, a secretive and exclusive male-only organization, was primarily comprised of Roman soldiers who worshipped the deity.

At its core, the Mithras cult revolved around the concept of light triumphing over darkness and good prevailing over evil.

Rituals and ceremonies took place in underground Mithraea temples, where altars similar to these would have served as striking focal points.

One of the altars features an image of Sol, the Roman sun god, carefully crafted to appear illuminated from within.

This effect was achieved by designing the altar so that light would emanate from behind, casting a glow on the god's face and crown in the dark surroundings.

The same altar also boasts carvings of the four seasons, depicted as female figures, symbolizing the passage of time.

The second altar is dedicated to Mithras himself and adorned with symbols associated with other deities of light, including Apollo, as well as creatures commonly linked to Mithras, such as the griffin.

Ancient Roman altar of the sun god Sol. — Followers believed Mithras helped control the movement of the sun, moon, and stars

Both altars bear dedications from a Roman centurion, likely Gaius Cassius Flavianus, who may have been the commander of the Inveresk fort.

Ancient Roman altar with a griffin symbol. — This altar also features a lyre, plectrum and two ravens, which are often seen in Mithraic imagery

While evidence of Mithras worship in Britain largely dates back to later centuries, these altars demonstrate that the cult had already gained a significant following among soldiers by the mid-second century.

Dr Fraser Hunter, the principal curator of Roman Archaeology at the National Museums of Scotland, noted that the altars provide a unique window into the beliefs and values of the Roman frontier.

The exceptional craftsmanship, remnants of paint, and dramatic lighting effects of the altars underscore their significance as impressive and costly monuments.

According to Dr Hunter, the cult of Mithras represented a powerful ideology that gave soldiers a sense of purpose and reassurance of an afterlife, embodying the triumph of good over evil.

Up Next

MSPs consider protected status for ancient breed of goats

Don't Miss

Robbie Williams announces intimate Manchester concert

News

GB men’s curling team suffers upset defeat to Italy

At the 2026 Winter Olympics, Great Britain’s men’s curling team mounted a comeback against Italy following a disappointing beginning, ultimately falling short in their inaugural match.

Despite a valiant comeback, Team GB ultimately fell short as Italy held their composure to secure the win in the final end.

A dismal start to the match proved costly for Team GB's men, as they suffered their first defeat of the Winter Olympics at the hands of host nation Italy, despite a spirited fightback in the packed Cortina Curling Stadium.

Following victories in their first two matches, including a win over the Swedish rink that beat them in the gold-medal match four years ago, Team GB entered their second high-profile encounter in as many days in a confident position.

However, a disastrous opening end, in which Italy stole four points, left Team GB trailing and facing an uphill battle in front of a boisterous home crowd.

The British team, currently ranked number one in the world, gradually regained their footing and managed to level the score by the ninth end.

Ultimately, Italy maintained their composure in the final end to emerge victorious, winning 9-7 and adding Team GB to their list of scalps, which already included the Swedes.

"We had to dig deep and play some solid curling, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough to get us over the line," Team GB lead Hammy McMillan said in an interview with BBC Sport.

With seven wins from nine round-robin matches guaranteeing a spot in the semi-finals, Team GB remains in a strong position, although fewer wins may still be sufficient to advance.

The women's team is set to take to the ice next, facing South Korea in their second match at 13:05 GMT, while the men will return to action on Saturday against the Czech Republic at the same time.

Team GB is at the forefront of curling's technological advancements.

Embracing what sets you apart can be a powerful asset, according to some athletes.

A daily guide to the Winter Olympics is available for those looking to stay up-to-date with the action.

The looks of shock on the faces of Team GB's curlers told the story of a disastrous opening end.

With a stone in play, Mouat attempted a risky shot in an effort to claim two points, but it backfired, resulting in none of Team GB's stones in the house and four Italian stones in position.

However, the Scottish quartet, ranked number one in the world, quickly regained their composure and got back to their game.

The teams exchanged singles before a impressive final throw by Mouat, aided by a measurement to determine which stone was closest to the button, allowed Team GB to claim two points and narrow the gap to 5-3.

Another excellent team effort, which included a well-judged throw by Mouat, a solid sweep by Hammy McMillan and Bobby Lammie, and Grant Hardie's strategic expertise, forced Italy to concede a point in the fourth end, reducing the deficit to a single point at the break.

Italy blanked the sixth end and added two points in the seventh to rebuild their lead, but Team GB fought back with two points of their own, remarkably levelling the score with one end remaining after a steal.

The match came down to the final end, but Italy held their nerve to secure the win, prompting a deafening roar from the crowd.

"It's an incredible experience, and we need to get used to it," McMillan added, describing the electric atmosphere as "surreal" and "cool," more akin to a football match than a typical curling crowd.

News

Scotland Kicks Off Nations League Against Slovenia

Uefa has released the schedule for the Nations League, with Scotland set to begin their campaign on 26 September with an away match against Slovenia.

Uefa has released the schedule for the Nations League, with Scotland's campaign set to begin on 26 September with an away match against Slovenia.

The team's six group stage games will be played within a three-month period, culminating in a match against Switzerland on 16 November.

The fixture list was announced following Thursday's draw, which placed Scotland in a group with Switzerland, Slovenia, and North Macedonia.

Having been relegated from League A after a play-off loss to Greece last year, Scotland will compete in the second tier of the Nations League this year.

In response to the draw, head coach Steve Clarke noted that the teams in the group appear to be evenly matched.

Clarke reflected on the team's past experience in the competition, stating that it has been beneficial for Scotland.

He emphasized the importance of the Nations League, citing its role in helping the team qualify for Euro 2020, and anticipated a challenging set of matches.

A key matchup in the Nations League will see Scotland face off against Switzerland.

The group stage will determine the teams' fates, with the winner earning promotion, the runner-up entering a play-off, the third-placed team facing a relegation play-off, and the fourth-placed team being relegated directly.

The upcoming group games will mark a reunion for Scotland and Switzerland, who previously drew 1-1 in Cologne at Euro 2024.

Scotland's last encounter with Slovenia was during the 2018 World Cup qualification campaign, when they won 1-0 at home and drew 2-2 away.

The team has not played North Macedonia since the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, when they drew 1-1 at home and won 2-1 away, with goals from Ikechi Anya and Shaun Maloney.

The schedule for Scotland's Nations League campaign begins on 26 September with a match against Slovenia.

The team will then host Switzerland on 29 September, followed by a trip to face North Macedonia on 3 October.

Scotland will then play Slovenia at home on 6 October, before hosting North Macedonia on 11 November.

The final group stage match will see Scotland travel to face Switzerland on 16 November.

The team's home match against North Macedonia is set for 11 November.

The campaign will conclude with an away match against Switzerland on 16 November.

News

Golfer McIlroy Sinks Bunker Shot at Pebble Beach Pro-Am

At the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California, Rory McIlroy achieved an eagle on the 14th hole at Spyglass Hill, capping off his opening round with a score of 68.

During the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California, Rory McIlroy achieved an eagle on the 14th hole at Spyglass Hill, contributing to his first-round score of 68.

For further information, Rory McIlroy had a solid opening round, while Hisatsune took the lead.

Access to this content is restricted to users in the United Kingdom.