Young researchers explore Orkney’s prehistoric landmarks

It’s over to the Dounby school this time, where Primary Four pupils have been on a mission to learn more about landmarks in Orkney’s West Mainland.

The term-long class project got under way when Katy, Ness of Brodgar Trust education officer, introduced them to the prehistoric sites on their doorstep and the time-depth involved. After learning about the landscape and the monuments within it, the pupils used online voting software to choose their top three sites. The verdict? Skara Brae, Maeshowe, and the Standing Stones of Stenness.

The class was also lucky to welcome Sandra Miller, World Heritage Site ranger with Historic Environment Scotland, who brought along the Neolithic handling box for them to see – a collection of replica objects that gave the pupils a hands-on experience.

All that preparation led to an unforgettable class trip. Katy joined the class on the bus, taking to the microphone to give a guided tour as they passed the Ness of Brodgar site. Sandra led the group around the Stones of Stenness, where the class sheltered behind the larger stones to get a bit of shelter from the chilly southerly wind! Despite the inclement conditions, the pupils remembered so much of what Sandra had told them and incorporated it into their writing back in the classroom.

Katy also tried out a new debating activity, with pupils asked to construct arguments for and against siting a visitor centre, and a community wind development, within the World Heritage Site. Their arguments were really impressive, and for a class of nine-year-olds, a huge achievement. The session showed just how capable young people are of engaging with real-world heritage issues.

The project also had a creative dimension, with the class making pottery with Nicky Appleby and painting archaeological site silhouettes with their art teacher.

To round off their Landmarks project, the pupils hosted a “show the parents” event, sharing their work with their families.