Earth has been used as building material in Orkney since the Neolithic.  Architect Tom Morton and mudmason/artist Rebecca Little have been studying its use in Orkney’s ancient buildings for Historic Environment Scotland, and they’ve identified a range of skilled techniques. Earth can bind stones for walls, and clay was used to seal roof slates at the Ness of Brodgar. Recent studies have also highlighted its use as decorative plaster.

And as they explain, it turns out that in today’s climate situation, local materials such as earth and straw could have a role again.

Becky and Tom have written a book to accompany the activities around their investigations into the use of earth as a building material. Titled Earthbound Orkney, it presents several years of desk and field research on Orkney, supported by Historic Environment Scotland and many practitioners and organisations in the heritage community.