Dates have been set for the rest of the Tombs of the Isles launch events in Orkney’s North Isles – including a new date for Westray, which had to be postponed this week.
The talks will introduce Orkney’s Neolithic cairns, while the drop-in events will allow folk to discuss their island’s tombs, view artefacts and explore the creation of island-specific “tomb archives”.
Getting the ball rolling is Stronsay, where a team from the UHI Archaeology Institute will be visiting on February 23-24 – the talk in the community hall on the Wednesday night (7.30-9pm) and the drop-in event the following day from 10am until 4pm.
On March 3 and 4, it’s Eday’s turn, with the introductory talk in the heritage centre on Thursday, March 3 (7.30-9pm), and followed by the drop-in, at the same venue, the following day (10am-4pm).
Shapinsay’s talk and drop-in will be held in the island’s club rooms on Wednesday, March 9, (7.30-9pm) and Thursday, March 10 (10am-4pm) respectively, while, in Papa Westray, the Kelp Store will host the events on Wednesday, March 16 (7.30-9pm) and Thursday, March 17 (10am-4pm). POSTPONED
Westray’s launch has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 31 (talk: community room 7.30pm-9pm) and Friday, April 1 (drop-in: learning centre 10am-4pm).
Led by the Orkney Research Centre for Archaeology (ORCA), part of the University of the Highlands and Islands Archaeology Institute, Tombs of the Isles was commissioned by the North Isles Landscape Partnership Scheme (NILPS).
The project will see a programme of research, walks, workshops and archaeological fieldwork (survey, geophysics, excavation) investigate some of the most iconic tombs in the North Isles of Orkney and bring the lesser-known sites into the spotlight.
Are these talks available to see online?
I’m afraid not.