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Stylish surprise from the Middle Ages found in Scottish castle

A close up of the gravoir, an ornately carved piece of red deer antler. The carving is of what looks like a hooded figure holding a book. Dr Alice Blackwell is holding the gravoir in protective purple gloves. Dr Blackwell's face is just out of focus.PA Media

It's not a hair straightener, a curler or a hair brush, but this rare discovery gives us insight into how people styled their hair in medieval Scotland!

A rare 13th century gravoir has been found in an excavation of Eilean Donan Castle in the Highlands.

A gravoir is an ancient hairpin and this one is the first to ever be found in Scotland.

The discovery is part of a collection of artefacts now looked after by the National Museums of Scotland (NMS).

What is a gravoir?

A close up of the gravoir, a needle-shaped ornately carved piece of red deer antler. The carving is of what looks like a hooded figure holding a book. The object is photographed against a black background.PA Media

This gravoir is decorated with a figure wearing a hood and holding a book

Inspired by medieval fashions in France, the gravoir would have been used to part hair precisely and create complicated and detailed styles.

It would likely have been part of a set that also included a mirror and a comb.

Normally, these hairpins were made from ivory, however this one is made from red deer antler.

Dr Alice Blackwell, a senior curator at NMS, says this is interesting as it shows how "fashions on the continent" were being combined with materials that locals could find and make items from themselves.

She described the discovery as a "privileged glimpse into life in medieval Scotland that we don't often get".

What else did they find?

A collection of medieval items excavated from the castle, including the hairpin, brooch pins and bits of bonePA Media

Around 80 boxes were filled with treasures that will help researchers learn more about life in medieval Scotland

Archaeologists didn't just find hair tools though!

The excavation uncovered other fashion items like brooches and dress pins, but also animal bones and crucibles, which are small ceramic cups used to melt metals like silver and gold.

According to researchers from NMS, this is one of the most important collections of medieval metalworking in the UK, as it reveals how everything from buckles to swords were manufactured at the castle.

The haul also includes game pieces made from decorated bone and recycled pottery and an iron jaw harp - a musical instrument placed in the mouth and plucked to make a distinctive sound.