I never thought I’d be writing that!
Mike and I have long had an interest in, and affection for, the Eagle Cairn. We’ve visited it many times, and I’ve written about it a few times too
We’re pleased that it’s gone into Community ownership and that it’s open again for others to experience it as we did, but our last visit was emotional and we’d pretty much decided that it would be our last – then I read this article in The Orkney News
..and had a yen to go and see. A new excavation after all this time……how could we not be interested? So we went along on Sunday the 30th while the Community Archaeology Weekend was taking place.
When we first visited the Eagle Cairn in 2,000 the family were still living in the farmhouse and some of the artefacts found at the Cairn were displayed in a Conservatory which ran along the front of the house. Our 2026 visit began with us remembering that experience
We then crossed to the ‘new’ Visitor Centre
of which I’ll now take you on a tour, starting with the room which houses Neolithic finds and reconstructions
The site isn’t only about the people of the distant past, it‘s also about those who have played a part in the on-going story, of which the community buy-out is the most recent chapter.
I was pleased to see that the cabinet labelled ‘Granddad’s Treasures’ is still there in the same place
These are bits & pieces which folk gave to Ronnie Simison, and each has its own story to tell.
I was also pleased to see that Babette Barthelmess’ art-works are still displayed in the Visitor Centre. The large lino-print displayed in the main room, entitled ‘Dreaming Stone Age’, captures the feel of the place perfectly.
And it was good to see pictures of Ronnie and Morgan Simison in the Hallway – Ronnie proudly holding his M.B.E. …..and a skull!
Then to the room dedicated to what’s known as the ‘Burnt Mound’, containing models of what the Burnt Mound and associated structure look like now, and what they probably looked like when in use 3,000 years ago
I say ‘associated structure‘ because no-one can decide what it was used for, as previously mentioned in this piece.
The Mesolithic Room doubles as a place where children of any age can do some archaeology-related activities
The ‘excavations blocks’ particularly appealed to me – the idea being that folk are given one to ‘excavate’.
The shop has books, cards and other items for sale. We bought a ‘Tomb of the Eagles’ mug , which has joined our Ness of Brodgar and Maes Howe mugs
And now…we head for the Cairn!
At the far side of the Cairn, the ORCA dig has revealed what looks to me like a definite section of ‘built’ stone
but what do I know!
Also a section which it takes a practised and knowledgeable eye to identify as other than being…some stones!
On the other side of the Cairn, Archaeology Weekend Volunteers were digging between the Cairn and the modern Standing Stone dedicated to Ronnie & Morgan Simison
There’s plenty of time for further discoveries to be made!
Pausing to take a pic. of the new trolly by which folk can access the interior of the cairn
we carried on to the actual site of the Burnt Mound and associated structure
Back at the Visitor Centre, the day’s pop-up shop featured the work of Kim Mitchell under the heading of ‘Jewels of the Tide’ Orkney Beach Art
We’re very glad that we returned to the Eagle Cairn, and congratulate the team involved on how well they care for and present the site. We mean to return, giving ourselves enough time to walk round by Ham Geo for the full Tomb of the Eagles Visitor Experience!
