Project Adair: Mapping Marine Heritage Sites in Orkney and the Pentland Firth dataset https://portal.medin.org.uk/portal/start.php?tpc=010_cbb2d2f0-5892-3e2a-ac63-f8de1b75527f Historic Scotland commissioned Orkney Research Centre for Archaeology to undertake an archaeological desk-based assessment of key marine datasets for Orkney and the Pentland Firth. This work took place between October 2011 and March 2012 as part of Project Adair, a partnership between Historic Scotland, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland and Orkney and Highland Councils. Marine datasets were collated, evaluated for their potential for archaeological analysis, and interrogated to enhance and amend the existing inventories. A variety of recent and traditional datasets were used including marine geophysics, historic charts, aerial photographs and local knowledge. Large spatial gaps in data coverage were identified. A methodology was developed that enables information gathered from similar studies to be effectively assimilated within national and regional inventories and to support cultural heritage within new marine planning, protection systems and the management of offshore resources. As a result, the project has enhanced the historic environment record for the Orkney Waters and the Pentland Firth. A total of 569 sites have been investigated as part of this project. Polygonisation of records resulted in GIS-based shapefiles identifying areas of archaeological potential in relation to wrecks; submerged prehistoric landscapes and sites; and anchorages and fishing areas. Edward Pollard 2012. 20141205