Gardens wanted for Kirkwall archaeology project

Archaeologists are looking for five households in the Kirkwall Town Centre who would be happy to have a test pit dug in their garden.

At the helm of the Discovering Hidden Kirkwall project is Dan Lee, the Archaeology Institute UHI’s lifelong learning and outreach archaeologist.

He said: “Following the success of the geophysics survey and the May excavations in the Tankerness House and Royal Bank of Scotland gardens, which located a medieval pier, we want to find out the story of other areas in the town centre.

“What we’re looking to do is did a small, one-metre by one-metre test pit in the gardens of five town centre properties. This will allow us to see what’s under the surface. At the same time, all the soil will be sieved for finds.

“Anyone worried about digging holes in their garden needn’t. All the soil and turf will be put back afterwards.”

The garden digs will take place over three days, between August 5 and 7.

Anyone wanting to get involved, and who lives in the region of Bridge Street, Albert Street and Victoria Street, should contact Dan Lee, on Daniel.lee@uhi.ac.uk or phone 569225, for more information.