Viking-era Church Ruins Discovered by Students at King Charles' Alma Mater

Students from Gordonstoun, a Scottish boarding school attended by King Charles III, have discovered the remains of what is believed to be a 1,000-year-old Viking-era church on the uninhabited island of Swona in Orkney.

The archaeological find occurred during the school's annual Swona Service Project, where students engage in restoration and excavation work. The group uncovered foundations of an altar and a step within the ruins of a structure long known locally as a "kirk," or church, but whose origins were uncertain.

Gordonstoun housemaster Daniel McLean, who organized the project, noted that the structure's characteristics, including its size, east-west orientation, and construction methods, were consistent with early medieval church architecture. "Everything about the structure [fit]," he stated.

Last year, the team surveyed the site and noted these architectural similarities. This year, they focused their excavation on the eastern wall, anticipating the location of an altar. The discovery of the altar foundations and an adjacent step provided strong evidence supporting the local legend that the ruins were once a church.

The church is estimated to date back to the 10th or 11th century, based on comparisons with other Viking-era churches in the region.

Archie Maclean, one of the students involved, described the experience of seeing the altar remains as profound. "When you see the altar in person, you go, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s still an altar after all of this time,'" he said. He also expressed fascination with how well the building's structure has survived centuries of erosion.

Ten students traveled approximately 10 hours by bus, ferry, and boat to reach Swona, a remote island located about seven miles north of John o' Groats. The school has a special arrangement with the Annal family, the island's owners, and the Swona Heritage Group to facilitate these projects.

Beyond the archaeological work, students also participated in restoration efforts, such as replacing the wooden floor in an old house on the island that had deteriorated due to drainage issues. The students lived without electricity, drawing fresh water from a 1,000-year-old well.

Another student, Alfie Pullin, called the week spent on the isolated island "very surreal," highlighting the blend of undertaking a specific task with the unknown nature of the experience.

Gordonstoun officials plan to return to Swona next year for continued investigation of the archaeological sites. The team intends to create a 3D model of the church using collected GPS data and digital images. Archaeologists hope further analysis will pinpoint the church's exact age and provide insights into the communities that inhabited the island and the historical spread of Christianity.

"Even in places that seem like the middle of nowhere, you can find these parts of history that can re-contextualize a whole village there, or even up to the way that Christianity was spread in this example," Maclean explained.