SIRFA attendees (Sigurd Towrie)
Conference Research SIRFA

SIRFA Orkney research event comes to an end in Kirkwall

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After two-and-a-half days of discussion and debate, the SIRFA research symposium drew to a close in Kirkwall this afternoon.
The SIRFA Orkney symposium attendees outside St Magnus Cathedral this afternoon. (Sigurd Towrie)
The SIRFA Orkney symposium attendees outside St Magnus Cathedral this afternoon. (Sigurd Towrie)

After two-and-a-half days of discussion and debate, the SIRFA research symposium drew to a close in Kirkwall this afternoon.

Over 100 people from across the archaeology and heritage-sector had gathered to agree on gaps in knowledge and understanding of Orkney’s past. The result will be a set of key research questions for the future of archaeological research across the Scotland’s islands.

The Orkney symposium was the third, and last, in the project. Previous events took place in the Western Isles and Shetland in 2019. The resulting regional research framework for the three island groups will be set within the broader Scottish Archaeological Research Framework (ScARF).

The project began in July 2018 and is coordinated by the UHI Archaeology Institute staff, in partnership with local authority archaeologists at the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Shetland Amenity Trust and Orkney Islands Council.

Participants arrive at the Ring of Brodgar on Sunday morning's fieldtrip.
The guided tour was led by Professors Jane Downes and Colin Richards of the UHI Archaeology Institute.
Hearing about the Ness of Brodgar from Dig director Nick Card.
In among the megaliths...
Back in Kirkwall the Connections and Insularity workshop begins...
And the Landscapes and Environment workshop.
Nick Card with Dr Alison Sheridan and Professor Mike Parker Pearson.
The final summing up sesson.
Professor Mike Parker Pearson, one of the two speakers at Sunday night's public lecture.