From Peat Spade to Tangle Trade

The project will celebrate, research and investigate the places of Orkney’s industrial heritage across the North Isles of Orkney, and the people who worked in these places. A programme of collaborative research, archaeological fieldwork (survey and building recording), walks and art workshops will explore sites of industrial heritage, setting them in inter-island and wider contexts. Industrial heritage includes: peat cutting, kelp burning, quarrying, mechanisation and farming, fishing, flax, linen, craft, energy production and more. Where are our industrial sites and structures? What are they like and how were they built? What were they used for? Are there any stories or memories about industrial sites? How can we record and look after them? The project will include the islands north of the Orkney Mainland: Rousay, Egilsay, Wyre, Shapinsay, Westray, Papa Westray, Eday, Sanday, Stronsay and North Ronaldsay.

Community archaeology and research project investigating Industrial Heritage of the North Isles of Orkney.

North Isles Landscape Partnership Scheme