The Cairns dig diary – day seven
Today’s update from The Cairns by MLitt student Martin Carfrae.
Category: Iron Age
The Cairns dig diary – day six
A day of preparation, cleaning and recording – an update from MSc Archaeological Practice student Elspeth Palmer.
The Cairns dig diary – day five
A update on the first week of the 2026 excavation season from dig director Martin Carruthers.
The Cairns dig diary – day four
Today’s excavation update from MSc Archaeological Practice student Declan.
The Cairns dig diary – day three
UHI Archaeology Institute student Alex updates us on the latest dig news.
The Cairns dig diary – day two
Good progress across the site in sunny, bright conditions.
‘Roads to the North’ – conference explored Roman influence on northern Scotland
Associate Professor Scott Timpany looks back at last month’s “Roads to the North” conference in Stirling.
The Cairns dig diary – day one
Back on site and getting everything ready for this season’s excavation.
Back to South Ronaldsay as The Cairns gets dig season under way
Our excavation season gets under way on Monday when a team of diggers return to The Cairns Iron Age site in South Ronaldsay, Orkney.
Conference to explore Roman influence on Iron Age communities in northern Scotland
The UHI Archaeology Institute has organised a conference at the Historic Environment Scotland (HES) Engine Shed next week, looking at the ways in which Roman society may have influenced Iron Age communities in northern Scotland.
MLitt student talks souterrains at Scottish Crannog Centre on Friday
UHI Archaeology Institute postgraduate student Annie Anderson is giving a talk on Iron Age souterrains at the Scottish Crannog Centre on Friday, May 1, at 3pm.
Remarkable discoveries during week two of Swartigill dig
It’s been another exciting week of excavation at the Iron Age Swartigill site, with some remarkable finds and intriguing developments within the structures.
Hitting the ground running on first week of Swartigill Iron Age dig
A summary of the first week of excavation at Swartigill, Caithness, from director Rick Barton.
Back to Swartigill for eighth season of excavation
We’re back at Swartigill, in Caithness, from August 18 until September 5, to continue excavating a fascinating Iron Age settlement.
The Cairns dig diary – wrapping up the 2025 season
The excavations at The Cairns have now come to an end for this year. With the site safely covered up, it’s time for site director Martin Carruthers to sum up…
The Cairns dig diary – day 29
As the site is covered over for another year, finds supervisor Kev looks back on the 2025 season.
The Cairns dig diary – day 28
The last day of excavation before the site is covered up for the penultimate time.
The Cairns dig diary – day 27
A gallery of aerial shots showing excavation site today.
The Cairns dig diary – day 26
The final week of excavation began with great progress across the site.
The Cairns dig diary – day 25
A busy day on site for the open day, but some important findings and milestones reached too…