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.
‘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.
AEONS advice from Professor Charles French during visit to Orkney
The UHI Archaeology Institute was delighted to welcome Professor Charles French, Professor Emeritus in Geoarchaeology at University of Cambridge, last week.
Looking back at 2026’s international medieval congress in the USA
A guest post by Sophie Durbin, UHI Archaeology Institute PhD student, on her recent ICMS conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
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.
Coastal communities at risk of effects of repeating cycles of inequality in marine energy transition
A new report is warning that current governance arrangements may leave coastal communities bearing the cost of energy transition while seeing limited long-term benefits.
‘Suðreyjar | Innse Gall’ – exhibition of new work by Eòghann Mac Colla
Eòghann Mac Colla, who is in the final stages of the MA Contemporary Art & Archaeology, is currently exhibiting at the Hunter Saville Gallery in the Isle of Cumbrae.
Archaeology and Local Studies short course open to applications
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the archaeology of your area, and archaeology generally, applications are now open for September and January entry to the Archaeology and Local Studies short course.
Hill and shore – coring gives students a glimpse of Orkney’s prehistoric landscape
The annual, two-week practical environmental archaeology module drew to a close on Friday with a field trip focusing on coring.
Magnus revealed – rare treat for PhD student during Tromsø visit
One of our PhD students, Jenny Murray, recently visited Tromsø in Norway to record a medieval altarpiece that has a statuette of St Magnus within its cabinet, for her thesis.
Talk reminder – Medieval Orkney and prehistoric wellbeing
A reminder of two talks coming up over the next two days.