The Cairns dig diary – day 14
An amazing day of artefacts – today’s update from site director Martin Carruthers.
The Cairns dig diary – day 13
Working through key occupation layers – today’s update from volunteer Lauren English.
Congratulations Lucy! Ness documentary is a film awards finalist
A film by MA Contemporary Art and Archaeology graduate Lucy Carr-McClave is one of the finalists in the 2026 West Lothian Film Festival awards.
The Cairns dig diary – day 12
A beautiful day on a marvellous site – today’s excavation update from UHI student Karolyn Wellings.
The Cairns dig diary – day 11
Back on site in better weather – today’s update from UHI Archaeology Institute graduate Bev Rose.
Experiencing wartime Orkney on staff visit to HMS Tern airbase
Last Friday, June 12, UHI Archaeology Institute staff took a morning fieldtrip to HMS Tern in Birsay, also known as Royal Naval Air Station Twatt.
The Cairns dig diary – day nine
The importance of charcoal – today’s update from site director Martin Carruthers.
The Cairns dig diary – day eight
Stone lamp or food vessel? – today’s update from The Cairns by site director Martin Carruthers.
Art and architecture at the Ness – talk on Thursday by Antonia Thomas
The decorated stones from the Ness of Brodgar excavation are the subject of an Orkney Archaeology Society talk by Associate Professor Antonia Thomas on June 18.
The Cairns dig diary – day seven
Today’s update from The Cairns by MLitt student Martin Carfrae.
MA student selected for Shetland-Norway residency
MA Contempoary Art and Archaeology student Susan Pearson is in Norway after being selected for the 2026 Brig∂i Residency.
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.
New paper explores family origin legends in Orkney
Dr Ragnhild Ljosland’s new paper examining family origin legends from Orkney is now available online.
‘feel’ at Southampton’s Old Sail Loft
Artist Lucie Smith, who is currently studying for an MA Contemporary Art and Archaeology, will be leading ‘feel – an afternoon of conversation, listening, and collective making tomorrow, Saturday, June 13, at The Old Sail Loft, Southampton.
Talking whales at Arctic Congress
At the end of May, Associate Professor Jen Harland took part in a roundtable discussion at the Arctic Congress in the Faroe Islands.
The Cairns dig diary – day three
UHI Archaeology Institute student Alex updates us on the latest dig news.
Share your Fittie energy stories at events on June 19 and 20
Join the TRANSECTS project team and artist Kirsty Russell to explore community energy stories for Fittie and Aberdeen Harbour at storylines workshops on June 19/20.
The Cairns dig diary – day two
Good progress across the site in sunny, bright conditions.