A project celebrating the Neolithic chambered tombs in Orkney’s North Isles is due to launch in Rousay next week.

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) in early 2020 but had to be postponed due to the pandemic.

Link: Bernie Bell: Orkney Walks (with Stories) – Rousay

Now being relaunched, the community project will see a programme of research, walks and workshops explore some of the most iconic tombs in the North Isles of Orkney and bring the lesser-known sites into the spotlight through the establishment of island-specific “tomb archives” and a new “tombs trail”.

Tombs of the Isles

Tombs of the Isles will get under way on Monday, November 29, with an introductory talk in the Rousay School at 7.30pm.

On Tuesday, November 30, residents can drop into the Heritage Centre from 2-4pm to look at the island’s 16 known stalled and chambered tombs, view artefacts and discuss the creation of the Rousay “tomb archive”.

Joining ORCA archaeologists Dan Lee and Bobby Friel at the launch will be Professor Jane Downes, director of the University of the Highlands and Islands Archaeology Institute.

Both events are free and open to all.

Archived story : The Tomb Trail Is Go!!