The world-famous Tomb of the Eagles Visitor Centre is currently being upgraded in readiness for its first full season under community ownership from 1 April 2026.

The tomb is owned by The South Ronaldsay and Burray Development Trust (SRBDT).

Steve Sankey, Lead Director for the SRBDT of the Tomb of the Eagles Sub-committee said:

“Work started a week or two back, with Cloustons now on site upgrading the Visitor Centre. This will ensure that it satisfies fire regulations as we prepare the upstairs with new offices for staff and volunteers to prepare for our first full season ahead.

“We’re very grateful to our funders for this project, principally Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and Orkney Islands Council through its Visitor Attraction and Community-Led Local Development Funds.”

Although the SRBDT bought the site and reopened it for a short period of seven weeks in September and October this year, the iconic site hasn’t been open for a full season since 2019. The cost of the upgrade project is £160,000, and it will enable full use of the entire building for the first time since it was built as a residence several decades ago.

Other initiatives underway for the new season include the recruitment of a Heritage Manager for the site, and the establishment of a Ranger Service, to be run along similar lines to the successful service operated for many years now by Historic Environment Scotland at the World Heritage Site on the other side of the county. Early discussions are also underway on the construction of a replica tomb adjacent to the Visitor Centre, to enable visitors with limited mobility to enjoy the ‘feel’ of a Neolithic tomb.

Steve added:

“We’re very excited about this suite of development projects, particularly about the recruitment of staff and more volunteers first thing in the New Year and building a replica tomb.

“Regarding the replica, discussions are at a very early stage, but at a community liaison event in the ‘Hope last year, an idea emerged to try and make the tomb more easily accessible. Whilst this isn’t possible with the tomb itself as it’s a scheduled ancient monument, we felt that building a replica was a great alternative, and we’re looking forward to developing the project.”

If anyone wishes to volunteer on site next season, please get in touch through the website : Tomb of the Eagles.