Paid Writing Opportunity – Various Scottish Archaeology Topics

Can you help members of the public discover Scotland’s stories?  

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO 

Dig It! is a hub for Scottish archaeology. Thanks to our Scotland-wide network of heritage organisations, museums and archaeological groups, we’re able to source the best events and stories from across the country. 

You’ll always be able to find free (or low-cost) activities for participants of all ages on our event listing – no experience required. And our Discover section is your go-to place for ground-breaking Scottish archaeology stories to spark your imagination. Expect to uncover a new favourite site, artefact and anecdote each time you visit.  

Dig It! is coordinated by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (Charity No SC010440) and primarily funded by Historic Environment Scotland (Scottish Charity No SC045925). 

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR 

We’re calling for contributions to the Discover section of our website. We’re open to any topics that feature Scottish archaeology and haven’t already been covered on the website.  

These short articles are intended to enhance understanding of and enthusiasm for Scottish archaeology. The primary target audience is adults in Scotland who have little or no background knowledge of Scottish archaeology.  

ABOUT YOU 

We’re looking for people with a good knowledge about their chosen topic who can convey that knowledge in an engaging and concise way. Previous authors have included freelancers, members of local archaeology groups, archaeologists, and academics (including students). If you have a topic that you’d like to write about but you’re not sure if this includes you, get in touch and we’d be happy to advise. 

We’ll prioritise applicants based in Scotland who haven’t written for us before, but we can also make exceptions so don’t let that stop you from applying.  

We want a broader range of Discover articles on our website as well as a greater diversity in the voices behind that content. Therefore, we particularly encourage applications from Asian writers, LGBTQIA+ writers, non-binary writers, disabled writers, Black writers and writers from the African and/or Afro-Caribbean diaspora (including mixed-race/multiple-heritage). 

We also welcome pitches from authors working in Scots and Gaelic, as long as an English translation is also provided (with additional remuneration offered).

WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?

We pay £126 (including VAT) for each article (approximately 700 words).  

We’ll be commissioning articles on a rolling basis, so we’ll keep your details on file until 1 April 2022 when they will be deleted from our system.  

If we’re interested in your idea, you’ll be sent the Dig It! Article Guidelines for Authors and a Memorandum of Agreement which you can review before making any decisions.  

INTERESTED? 

Before contacting us, please check the Discover section of the website to ensure that your topic hasn’t already been covered and get a sense of the writing style and various formats. 

Once you’ve had a look, send an email to Sally Pentecost, Dig It! Communications & Events Officer, at digit@socantscot.org which includes at least one writing sample (blog post, essay, Twitter thread, etc.) and a couple of sentences about yourself and your suggested topic. We’ll send you an email to let you know that we’ve received your submission.  

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.