Fellow
Colleen Batey
Dr Batey’s main research interests lie in the field of Viking and Late Norse archaeology with particular reference to the Northern Isles and Caithness and the North Atlantic region. She has excavated widely on several major sites, including Jarlshof in Shetland, “Westness” on Rousay, Birsay, Orkney and Hofstađir in Iceland.
Currently Dr Batey is involved in bringing together the excavation work undertaken at the Earl’s Bu, Orphir, Orkney which she directed. This discovered a Norse horizontal mill as part of the Earl’s complex and provides evidence of local agricultural exploitation. In addition, she is actively involved in the research of Viking pagan graves in Scotland, providing specialist input into a number of ongoing projects, such as the Loch Lomondside Viking Cemetery and the Ardnamurchan boat grave.
A major area of Dr Batey’s work focuses on the promotion of Orkney (and to a some extent Shetland) as centres for cultural tourism. She has spent nearly 20 years working with small expedition ships which undertake day-long visits to the main UNESCO sites in Orkney for example. Committed to ensuring that the archaeology of the region is showcased to the largest possible international audience, Dr Batey now lives in Orkney permanently.
