The site of Isbister was first discovered by Ronald Simison in 19 58. His partial excavation then, which generated a lot of local interest, was visited and reported on by P. R. Ritchie of ancient monuments.

John W. Hedges with the collaboration of Bernard Bell and Beverley Smith and with appendices by Don Bramwell, Sarah Colley, Ste-phen Cracknell, Camilla Dickson, Barbara Noddle, Michael J. Stenhouse and David F. Williams