Orkney Fossil and Heritage Centre

Housed in converted farm buildings on the island of Burray, the Centre has an intriguing collection of fossils from Orkney and around the world, including some rare and beautifully preserved specimens.

There are also local heritage displays, including a fascinating exhibition about the construction of the Churchill Barriers.

The collections were donated to the people of Orkney by local builder Leslie Firth who, with his father Ernest, developed an interest after finding fossils at their quarry in Sandwick, West Mainland. The exhibitions downstairs showcase the extensive fossil and rock collection, with detailed information and illustrations of 380 million year old fish!

Ernest Firth was also a collector of heritage objects. His interest was in the objects used in everyday life by Orcadians. His extensive hoard includes furniture, household china, cameras and tools, providing an intimate portrait of life in Orkney in the last century.

The heritage galleries were upgraded over the winter of 2015-16, with new information about boat building in Burray and exhibits about life in Orkney during the First and Second World Wars, including a feature about the other 'Italian Chapel' built at POW Camp 34 on Burray.

There are also local heritage displays, including a fascinating exhibition about the construction of the Churchill Barriers. Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, a new exhibition opened in 2019. 'Scapa and the Scuttle' features a new interpretative floor map of Scapa Flow which helps explain the scuttling of the German Fleet after WW1.

The temporary exhibition area features artefacts from the scuttled German Fleet which are on loan from Orkney Islands Council.

Disabled Access

The Centre has a level access through the Community Cafe, and there is an outside toilet accessible via a ramp as well as inside toilets with steps.

The downstairs galleries displaying fossils, rocks and the Building the Barriers exhibition are all readily accessible for wheelchairs and buggies. There are audio visual displays and a dark room showing fluorescing rocks using UV light, which is down a couple of steps.

The upstairs heritage galleries are accessed via a staircase. There is a courtyard display of agricultural equipment and some outdoor workshops containing tools and household objects all of which are accessed via a narrow uneven path and have low door lintels.

How to find us

From Kirkwall:
A961 towards St Margaret’s Hope. The Fossil & Heritage Centre is on the left half a mile after crossing the third Churchill Barrier.
From South Ronaldsay:
A961 towards Kirkwall. After Burray Village, pass Echna Loch on your right with Scapa Flow on your left. The Fossil & Heritage Centre is on the hill on the right.

Car parking

Public transport - X1 bus - request stop

http://www.orkneyfossilcentre.co.uk

info@orkneyfossilcentre.co.uk

01856 731255

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