The final event in the development of Scotland’s Islands Research Framework for Archaeology (SIRFA) is a four-day long symposium being held in Orkney from March 24-27, 2023.
The symposium is open to all stakeholders of archaeological research in the Scottish Isles, including: individuals and organisations whose work involves archaeological research, as well individuals who engage with the outcomes of research such as museums professionals, commercial archaeologists, academic researchers, archaeology students, community heritage groups, independent researchers and local and national government agencies.
During the event, which includes an optional day trip to the island of Hoy, different themes will be explored through talks and discussions in order to identify research gaps and areas of research potential.
The Orkney symposium follows one in the Western Isles in January 2019, and another in Shetland in September 2019.
The resulting regional research framework for the Western Isles, Shetland and Orkney will be set within the broader Scottish Archaeological Research Framework (ScARF).
Click here to register a place.
SIRFA is tied into the National Plan for Scotland’s Islands, which resulted from the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018, and has synergies with the Islands Growth Deal, especially the heritage-related projects such as the Outer Hebrides Destination Development and the Orkney World Heritage Gateway.
The project began in July 2018 and is co-ordinated by UHI Archaeology Institute staff in partnership with local authority archaeologists at the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CnES), Shetland Amenity Trust and Orkney Islands Council.
The project is supported by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers Scotland (ALGAO) and funded by Historic Environment Scotland as part of Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy.
