About us

Orkney Research Centre for Archaeology (ORCA) was founded in 2007 in response to a demand for historic environment services in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. ORCA Marine was established in 2010 in order to extend our archaeology services into the maritime sector. In 2014 ORCA became part of the University of the Highlands and Islands Archaeology Institute; a partnership which allows us to contribute to the research and outreach capabilities of the Archaeology Institute and at the same time utilise the considerable expertise and resources available.

ORCA has developed a strong working relationship with a wide range of clients which include both commercial and research-funding organisations. We pride ourselves on working to fulfil the brief and facilitate solutions, whether it is to satisfy planning conditions for a new infrastructure project, devise an outreach training project or create an academic research opportunity.

We add value by using our strong links and good relationships with local community organisations, and the considerable resources available in the University of the Highlands and Islands Archaeology Institute.

We offer a comprehensive commercial archaeological service for both terrestrial and marine developers. Our staff have years of experience in all types of archaeological work throughout Britain and abroad,  and particularly in and around Orkney and the Highlands and Islands region. All team members are suitably qualified professionals with a variety of academic qualifications at undergraduate, masters and doctorate level. We are a registered supplier on the Achilles Utilities Vendor Database and a Registered Organisation with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists.

Legal framework

ORCA is a commercial and applied research unit nested within the University of the Highlands and Islands Archaeology Institute at Orkney College UHI. Orkney College UHI is an Academic Partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and is a non-incorporated college which is part of the Orkney Islands Council, which is incorporated under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (as amended) and the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994. Orkney College is run by the College Management Council (CMC), which is a sub-committee of Orkney Islands Council`s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee.