A passageway aligned closely with the sunset at the winter solstice, and a stone circle surrounded by a ditch cut into the rock: these prehistoric sites give the Heart of Neolithic Orkney its distinctive character. The UNESCO World Heritage Site includes Maeshowe, the Ring of Brodgar, the Stones of Stenness and Skara Brae. All four monuments are open to visitors; check the relevant conditions before your visit.
From stone houses to the cathedral
The Ring of Brodgar is a stone circle 130 metres across. At the Stones of Stenness, surviving stones are up to six metres high. Maeshowe, meanwhile, is a megalithic chambered tomb; the alignment of its passage points towards the sunset at the winter solstice. At Skara Brae, stone houses form a Neolithic settlement, with the buildings connected by narrow, covered passageways. These varied forms make the monuments distinctive stops on a journey through Orkney’s early history.
Later buildings also tell the story of the islands’ long history. The Broch of Gurness is an Iron Age settlement with a small village around a central broch tower. St Magnus Cathedral was founded in 1137 and completed around 300 years later. It is Scotland’s only fully preserved medieval cathedral. As well as serving as a place of worship, it is used for concerts, lectures, art exhibitions and national commemorative events; programmes may vary.
At the Orkney Museum in Kirkwall, exhibits span the Stone Age, the Picts and Vikings, through to the present day. The collection is of international importance, and its archaeological collection is considered nationally significant. The Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm tells a different story: prisoners of war from North Africa, including Domenico Chiocchetti and his Italian comrades, transformed two Nissen huts into a chapel.
At the Click Mill, visitors can see the original waterwheel, millstones, shroud, hopper and flour bin. The fully restored watermill dates from the early 19th century and is the last of its kind in Orkney. Skaill House features, among other things, Captain Cook’s tableware, Neolithic and Iron Age finds, paintings by Stanley Cursiter, and items from the collection of the twelve Lairds of Skaill. What is on display may change. The Earl’s Palace in Birsay is a 16th-century courtyard castle, built by Earl Robert Stewart.
Trails, islands and tides
The St Magnus Way is a 58-mile long-distance trail across Mainland Orkney and Egilsay. Its story is based on the traditional account of Saint Magnus, Orkney’s patron saint. Walking routes in Orkney use a five-level difficulty rating from 1 to 5—a useful guide when assessing different trails.
On Westray, the West Coast Walk passes dramatic cliffs facing the Atlantic, rock formations shaped by the sea and seabird colonies. At Yesnaby, a small car park provides access to a coastal path running along cliffs and rocky coves. Its location on the west coast of Orkney Mainland offers sea views; wildflowers such as Primula scotica also grow there, and seabirds can be spotted. Coastal conditions may vary.
The tides also determine when you can visit the Brough of Birsay. The tidal island is accessible via a concrete causeway for only about two hours before and after low tide. Check the tides before planning the crossing. For road trips, the historic Churchill Barriers make it possible to island-hop to Lamb Holm, Glimps Holm, Burray and South Ronaldsay. The archipelago has 70 islands in total, of which 20 are inhabited.
Coastal wildlife and local produce
Marwick Head, Mull Head and Noup Head are places to observe seabird colonies; birds of prey can be spotted at Cottascarth, Hobbister and Birsay Moors. On ferry journeys to and from Orkney and between the islands, as well as on coastal walks, you may see whales, dolphins and porpoises. Grey seals and common seals also occur on rocky outcrops and along the coast. Sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed.
The Taste of Orkney Food & Drink Trail offers insights into how some products are made, along with tastings before purchase; participating producers and availability may change. Foods and drinks made in Orkney include cheese, oatcakes, fudge, beer, whisky, gin, ice cream and rum. The local food offering also includes beef and lamb, salmon, shellfish, and meat from the legendary seaweed-fed sheep of North Ronaldsay.
Another special experience is diving in Scapa Flow, where you can explore seven surviving wrecks of the German High Seas Fleet, scuttled by their crews in 1919. These wrecks should only be explored by qualified divers; diving conditions vary. If you are travelling with a vehicle, booking in advance is recommended: transport for vehicles without a booking is not guaranteed. Check the ferry timetable before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Burray Village, Tingwall, Orphir, Hackness, Kirkwall, Orkney, Westray, Stromness, Finstown.
For the main travel overview: Scotland.
