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Excavations took place at this site in 1975-6, followed by a survey in 1977, at the invitation of the Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments, as clearance of turf and rubble had previously revealed a hoard of post-medieval coins. Further coins were found, which relate to the period after usage of the chapel had ceased: the group is interpreted in votive terms and related to accounts of pilgrimage to the site. The unicameral chapel itself had both a timber and a stone phase. The timber chapel probably had a stone 'cladding' and additions to the stone chapel at one stage included at least one stone bench. Little dating evidence was forthcoming, but a 10th-century coin was found in an intermediate stage between the two phases. The area around the chapel was enclosed, in the later phase, by a rectangular low stone wall, and in the earlier by a series of gullies and a possible timber fence. Few burials were found: two infant graves from the timber phase, one adult, one child and two infants from the stone phase. This raises questions about the status of the site, sometimes seen as an early Christian monastery. The survey revealed more buildings than recognized before, and a regularity of layout, which may be of more than one phase. Interpretation as a Norse monastery is referred to, and the possibility is raised that the buildings may be secular, surrounding a chapel dating from the Norse period, rather than earlier.

Summary A large mound-site near Skara Brae has been subject to severe erosion. Surveys of the site have been undertaken and major structural elements recognised. It is a ‘settlement mound’ as recently recognised elsewhere in Orkney, but in addition probably had a Viking grave placed in it. Earlier structural elements are undated and may be early prehistoric. The site is considered against the context of the archaeology of the Bay of Skaill.

In 1980 construction work on the Sulby reservoir in the Isle of Man necessitated the rescue excavation of a keeill site, prior to destruction (Morris, 1981 & 1983). During the archaeological work an attempt was made to examine the landscape in the immediate area prior to its flooding. Two deserted farms and their associated buildings, water and horse mills, and a corn-drying kiln were surveyed, and found to display evidence of changing styles and traditions of agricultural life in the 18th and 19th centuries, changes that were taking place throughout Britain at that time.