Scott, Brian G.

Brian G. Scott started out as an archaeologist who played rock and blues. He began his working life in Northern Ireland as a teacher of Biology, Maths and Religious Instruction (he is a devout and practising atheist!), a career which lasted precisely three terms–his primary degree is in archaeology, his Ph.D. in archaeometallurgy! He combined a career of academic work with gigging in the clubs and bars of Ireland and beyond, retiring from the Ulster Museum in 1991. He also spent two-and-a-half years in the UDR from 1972–1974 and escaped complete with a good conduct medal, which was pushed anonymously through his front door late at night. Unlike Sean McDevitt, he’s a keyboard and flute player, but like McDevitt a singer and songwriter---and with three albums to his credit (all of which have rocketed into total obscurity: you can hear/see some of his work at http://www.bgscott.com/music.html).

As a member of the UNESCO research committee on the archaeology of early iron metallurgy, he spent much time in the former Czechoslovakia and lived there after the Velvet Revolution, playing and recording---also working to export various commodities. After Prague, he lived on and off for several years in Reno, Nevada (where he met his wife), working as a software developer and technical writer for digital rights management, followed by two years in England when the company relocated there.

His first published book was the monumental opus Early Irish Ironworking (Ulster Museum 1991) – recommended as substitute for Valium and also as a great doorstop. This was followed by The Great Guns like Thunder (Guildhall Press 2008: with co-conspirators) about the cannon in the city of Derry / Londonderry. In addition, he has contributed to and edited three other substantive volumes on Irish archaeology, published many scholarly articles in journals both national and international and acted for many years as the archaeological editor for the Northern Ireland Environment Service, editing six of their major publications.  

In summary, amongst other things, he has been a teacher, a soldier, a university lecturer, a technical writer, part owner of the biggest rock club in Prague, a dealer in various (legal) commodities including Czech beer and matches, a jobbing musician, an editor and the director of a software company. Most recently he taught English in a private school in La Romana, Dominican Republic. He spends time with his wife, two cats and three rescued kittens between the wilds of Northern Arizona, USA, and the wilds of Northern Ireland, and is working on the next novel …