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The Cairns Excavation 2026

One of the UHI Archaeology Institute’s flagship excavations, work began at the South Ronaldsay site in 2006, revealing a large Iron Age broch (c100BC-AD200) and structures dating from the Iron Age through to the Norse period.

During the excavation period, the site will be open to the public on weekdays from 10am until 4pm.

At the helm of 2026’s four-week dig will be UHI Archaeology Institute lecturer and Iron Age specialist Martin Carruthers. To get up to speed on the site before excavation resumes, Martin’s 2021 talk to the Orkney Archaeology Society – The Life and Times of The Cairns: A Thousand Years of living at a Broch – is available here. His 2022 talk, People of the Broch: Excavating an Iron Age Community at The Cairns, can be viewed here.

While Dig It! takes every opportunity to ensure that this information is accurate, we advise that you contact the event organiser before attending the event to avoid disappointment. As “39% of transport emissions come from cars” according to Net Zero Nation, Dig It! also encourages you to walk, wheel, cycle or use public transport to arrive at this event if possible.

Image Credit: Bobby Friel

Accessibility Information

For accessibility information, please contact sigurd.towrie@uhi.ac.uk.

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