We've Always Sensed It To Be A Spiritual Place

Kathleen MacLeod welcomes visitors keen to find out more about the Tomb of the Eagles.

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MY family’s destiny changed dramatically in 1958 when my father, Ronnie Simison, discovered two ancient sites while working on his farm in South Ronaldsay in the Orkneys. From then on, things were never quite the same for us!

Dad watched in fascination when archaeologists excavated that first find, a 2,500-year-old Bronze Age site. All the time he was learning how to work on his other find – a 5,000-year-old Neolithic tomb. Once confident, he carried out his own dig there.

Among the things uncovered was a burial area with human remains, along with stone tools which shed light on the day-to-day life of the people who once lived here.

Dad also found many items which we presume were left for use in the afterlife. The talons and bones of several white-tailed sea-eagles had been placed inside, too, hence the name “Tomb of the Eagles”.

People were curious to find out more, and it was opened up to the public with a dedicated visitor centre.

As manager of a 5,000-year-old Neolithic tomb, I can safely say my working day is never boring!