It’s been a few years since I last visited the Tomb of the Eagles in South Ronaldsay. Would it live up to my lasting memories of an exceptional site?

Here’s the first thing to note before you read on. The Entrance Fee for Orkney islanders has a 20% discount. I’m highlighting this because some other historic sites in Orkney have become rather expensive (for everyone) to visit. These sites are our shared heritage and to offer this discount to locals is a marvellous opportunity to encourage our understanding of the past from which we all spring.

The Tomb of the Eagles is located some distance from the visitor centre, however, the walk is part of the experience itself and will take you between the fields of the working farm, to a Bronze Age building, and onward to the tomb itself.

Take some time at the Bronze Age building and its Burnt Mound looking at what has been revealed there. First discovered by farmer Ronnie Simison in 1957, before he uncovered the Tomb, it was later excavated in 1973/4 by John Hedges. The team from Southampton University uncovered a building which has become a bit of a mystery as to its purpose. It has a drainage system and a large flagstone lined tough in the centre, set within the floor. That was still water tight when it was uncovered. It is believed that this building used hot water – and after that the conjecture as to why begins.

Leaving the enigma of the Bronze Age building and you arrive at the edge of the land. This is an area of outstanding beauty and there is a clearly marked out coastal path for those who wish to walk further. The birdsong on the day visited added to the visual joy of our experience.

There is a memorial to Ronnie and Morgan Simison who were so generous in sharing what they had discovered on their farm, and who understood its importance.

For those who have visited before, there’s still the wee trolley you can use to aid getting along the low narrow passage into the tomb itself. I used it going in, and crawled on hands and knees, out. This I found easier to do but there’s fun in trolley travel.

Once inside you can stand up.

Ronnie Simison himself both discovered and excavated the tomb. What he found was the largest collection of Neolithic bones in the British Isles. As well as the human bones, including 100 skulls, were animal and bird bones. The numerous Eagle bones have given the Tomb its name by which we have come to know it. Other artefacts were found – beads and pottery. The visitor centre has lots of information and displays about these and of later research into who the people were.

In September 2025, South Ronaldsay and Burray Development Trust (SRBDT) took over ownership of the Tomb of Eagles. The Visitor Centre has had a revamp – with future plans to include offices above. Employment has been created with Rangers being engaged to take visitors on guided tours and walks. There’s an emphasis on the wildlife and landscape of the area with the SRBDT aiming to manage the site sustainably. There’s lots to read and take in at the Visitor Centre, and although there is no cafe, there is a coffee pot on the go and cold drinks available in the shop which has a good range of local produce.

I strongly recommend you visit the site, whether a local (taking advantage of the generous 20% discount) or a visitor to Orkney. There is a fair walk to the Tomb but it’s clearly signposted. The Visitor Centre has toilet facilities and is well laid out. Staff are friendly, professional, and knowledgeable, so will answer any questions you may have. Getting there is easier if you have a car, but you can use public transport – click on this link to find out information about that : Visitor Information.

The site is open every day from 10am, with last entry at 3.30pm. The site and carpark close at 5pm. There is no online booking, and the road to the Visitor Centre is not suitable for large buses so there won’t be any of them there.

The Guide Book is excellent and well worth the £5. There’s also a handy little free leaflet with a plan of the site and some basic information.

Click on this link for more information: Tomb of the Eagles.

Here’s a short film of my visit.

Fiona Grahame

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