International heritage organisation choose Orkney for AGM
(Story dated: May 8, 2003)

An international organisation dedicated to world historical monuments are to hold their AGM in Orkney later this month.

St Peter's Kirk, Sandwick

Among the 60 or so delegates from the British branch of the International Council on Monuments and Sites will be the group’s patron, the Duke of Gloucester, who will be in the county to officially open the refurbished St Peter’s Kirk in Sandwick.

The group’s AGM takes place on May 31, but members – all of who are leading experts in the fields of archaeology and architecture – will spend the rest of their time in the county, visiting local sites, in particular Orkney’s World Heritage site—the area surrounding the Ness of Brodgar and Skara Brae.

Part of the proposed programme of events for the weekend visit is a seminar on Saturday, May 31, in Stromness on the subject of ritual landscapes. Among the papers from speakers across Britain and Scandinavia will be a presentation from Orkney College archaeologist Jane Downes.

Prior to the arrival of the main group, a representative from the International Council on Monuments and Sites will be in Orkney on May 27 for a talk on the organisation’s work worldwide. The talk is due to take place in Orkney College.