About In Conversation: Peter Ross and Fraser Hunter

Bestselling author Peter Ross and curator Dr Fraser Hunter discuss Peter’s new book 'Upon A White Horse' which features objects from the museum’s archaeology collections.

Join author Peter Ross in conversation with Dr Fraser Hunter, Principal Curator of Prehistoric and Roman Archaeology, as they discuss Peter’s new book.  

'Upon A White Horse: Journeys in Ancient Britain and Ireland' (due to be published on 11 Sep 2025) explores the enduring mystery of ancient sites and objects and considers the ways in which they continue to hold significance for people now. The book includes a number of items in National Museums Scotland’s collections, including the strange and fascinating Ballachulish Figure.

“It’s the eyes that hold you.” (Peter Ross, 2025 forthcoming) Carved out of alder wood, with quartzite pebbles for eyes, this female figure was discovered in 1880, buried under deep peat in Ballachulish, Inverness-shire. Dating to around 600 BC, the Early Iron Age, it is the oldest human figure carved from wood to have been found in Scotland. You can see it on display in the 'Early People' gallery, Level -1, at the National Museum of Scotland.

Q&A

After the presentation there will be time for audience questions. Questions can also be submitted in advance by emailing publicevents@nms.ac.uk.

Pricing information

Ticket prices
Ticket typePrice
Adult£10
Over 65£8.50
National Museums Scotland Members£7.50
Student, Unemployed, Disabled, Young Scot£7.50

Free entry for accompanying essential carers.

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Peter Ross

Peter Ross is an author and journalist. His books include the bestseller 'Steeple Chasing: Around Britain by Church' and 'A Tomb With A View: The Stories and Glories of Graveyards', which was a Radio 4 Book of the Week. He sometimes thinks he should have become an archaeologist rather than a writer. The new book is a form of wish-fulfilment.

This event will be followed by an opportunity to buy 'Upon a White Horse: Journeys in Ancient Britain and Ireland'. Peter will also be available to sign copies of his book.

A man is wearing a brown blazer and wine red tshirt, and is standing with his back to a tree and smiling at the camera.
Peter Ross. Credit: © James Ross
The book cover of Upon a White Horse, which is titled in orange all caps lettering in the top half of the cover. The background image is of a field scene, with a horse etched into the landscape and a gravestone and figure peaking out of the land in the foreground. The subtitle reads 'Journeys in ancient Britain and Ireland'.
Upon a White Horse, by Peter Ross.

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If you have any questions about accessing this event, please email us in advance at publicevents@nms.ac.uk.