Archaeologist's name lives on
A SERIES of lectures being held this weekend at the Pulteney Centre is named after Alexander Rhind, a native of Wick who became one of the most notable and influential Victorian archaeologists.
Rhind left a legacy to continue his love of archaeology with a series of annual lectures given in Edinburgh but which will be brought to Wick this year.
The lectures are being given by Dr John Barber, who worked in 2011 on both the Thrumster and Nybster brochs.
When Alexander Rhind died in 1863, all the shops and businesses in Wick closed in honour of one of the town's most celebrated sons.
The flags at the harbour flew at half-mast as his remains, brought from Zurich where he died, were laid to rest in Wick parish churchyard. He was aged only 29 but during his short life distinguished himself as one of the foremost archaeologists of his day.
Alexander Henry Rhind was born in Wick on July 26, 1833. His parents, Josiah and Margaret (née Bremner), had lost 11 children in infancy.
Josiah had two spells as provost of Wick and succeeded Robert Innes of Thrumster as agent for the Commercial Bank. He owned substantial property in the new and bustling Pulteneytown and settled himself in his property at Sibster where the young Alexander grew up.
Alexander attended Pulteneytown Academy, going on to study natural history and natural philosophy at Edinburgh University.
Following his work in 1851 on the cairns at Yarrows, he was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries at 19 years of age. He argued for the inclusion of a broch as an example of native architecture as part of the Great Exhibition and wrote a paper advocating the extension of treasure trove to objects other than precious materials.
His failing health took him to warmer climes, where he studied and published extensively.
He bequeathed a number of legacies to his native Wick, including the establishment of an institute "for the industrial training of young women" at Rhind House, and provided for two scholarships at Edinburgh University.
