Explore Orkney

The Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae lies near the dramatic white beach of the Bay of Skaill.  Skara Brae is the best-preserved group of prehistoric houses in western Europe.

Uncovered by a storm in 1850, the site presents a remarkable picture of life around 5,000 years ago.

Visitors can experience a vivid impression of the realities of a prehistoric village and see ancient homes fitted with stone bed enclosures, dressers and seats. A replica construction allows visitors to fully understand the interior of a prehistoric house.

A modern and informative visitor centre provides touch-screen presentations, fact-finding quizzes for children and adults, and an opportunity to see artefacts discovered during archaeological excavations in the 1970s.

There is a cafe (which may have restricted opening hours in the winter) and a well-stocked gift shop selling locally-made souvenirs and crafts.

Skara Brae is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney (UNESCO) World Heritage Site and is a five star attraction (Scottish Tourist Board). There is also a World Heritage Site Ranger Service supported by Orkney Islands Council and Scottish Natural Heritage who every day at 1pm in June, July and August, lead walks around the Ring of Brodgar to explore the iconic monument and its surrounding landscape. For more information on the Heart of Neolithic Orkney and details of guided walks and other events run by the Rangers, please contact:

T 01856 841 732 E orkneyrangers@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

The evocative Ring of Brodgar is one of the largest and best-preserved stone circles in Great Britain. It hints at forgotten ritual and belief. It lays about 6 miles North East of Stromness and a good park about 50 meters away. Only 27 of the original 60 stones remain, but it is highly rated on Trip Advisor and well worth a visit.

The location of the Ring plays a great part in its appeal; the circle is located on an isthmus known as The Ness of Brodgar between the lochs of Stenness and Harray. The scenic beauty of the location can match any circle in Britain. There are a rich treasury of other Neolithic sites nearby. The Stones of Stenness are nearby and less than a mile away across Loch Harray is the chambered tomb of Maes Howe, while Unstan Chambered Tomb lies to the west. Together these sites, along with numerous unexcavated sites and the stone village of Skara Brae, form the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.

On the 13th of October 1939 the German U-boat U47, under the command of Lt. Gunther Prien, slipped undetected into Scapa Flow. Prien launched a torpedo attack on the battleship HMS Royal Oak which was lying at anchor in Scapa Bay and within minutes the huge ship sank to the bottom of Scapa Flow with the loss of  833 crew.

U47 slipped away undetected through Kirk Sound but the terrible loss of life and obvious failings of the defences to Scapa Flow prompted the call for a more substantial eastern defence of the naval port. In March 1940 Winston Churchill approved the building of ‘causeways’ to link the south isles to Mainland Orkney and so closing off the eastern approaches.

Work soon started and continued a-pace but a shortage of local labour was causing delays so in early 1942 Italian POWs were shipped in to work on the huge building project. Many camps were established to house these POWs. The Italians POW status changed however in September 1943 when Italy capitulated to the allies and the workers were given more freedom and were actually paid properly for their labours.

 The Italians requested a proper place of worship and with the help of padre Father Giacobazzi and Domenico Chiocchetti persuaded the then camp commandant, Major T. P. Buckland, to allow them to build a chapel on Lamb Holm. They were given two Nissen huts joined end to end to convert on the condition all work was carried out outside working hours on the barriers. So the foundations were laid for what has become Orkney’s most visited attraction. The Chapel is open all year round and parking is available.

Maeshowe is the finest chambered tomb in north-west Europe and more than 5000 years old. It seems that after several hundred years of use as a burial tomb, Maeshowe was closed up for good. At least 3,000 years passed before it again attracted attention. This time it was Norsemen – descendants of the Vikings – who broke into the mound, no doubt curious as to what lay within. They also left behind a fascinating legacy, in the light-hearted runic graffiti they carved all over the walls. This graffiti comprises the largest collection of runic inscription that survive outside Scandinavia – a potent reminder that Orkney was under Norwegian rule until 1468.

In 1999, Maeshowe was designated part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, along with Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness.

Maeshowe is open all year round, but please do check relevant websites for the latest information such as Visit Scotland.

Visitors to Orkney can purchase Orkney Explorer passes that provides access to a series of Neolithic attractions.

The excavations at the Ness of Brodgar have been attracting a lot of attention recently – you may have seen television coverage of the site, with TV presenter Neil Oliver. The site is sometimes referred to as ‘Orkney’s Neolithic cathedral’ or simply ‘Orkney’s stone age temple’. In addition to lots of press coverage from previous years – Current Archaeology, British Archaeology etc, the Ness made the cover story on the August 2014 issue of National Geographic magazine.

All being well, the 2016 excavation dates should be from Monday the 4th July until Friday the 26th August 2016.  Dates will be posted on their Facebook page when they are confirmed. If your chosen holiday coincides with the dig season, and this is your thing, it is definitely worth a visit! For more information you can visit the Ness of Brodgar dig pages hosted by Orkneyjar.

Scapa Flow is a body of water about 120 square miles in area and with an average depth of 30 to 40 metres.

The Orkney Mainland and South Isles encircle Scapa Flow, making it a sheltered harbour with easy access to both the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean.

Scapa Flow is the world renowned maritime site which once housed the great fleet. There is much documented history on Scapa Flow and it’s links to WW1 and WW2 and with the Centenary anniversary of the Battle of Jutland, with over 100,000 sailors involved on 250 ships.

More than 6,000 Royal Navy and 2,500 German sailors lost their lives the largest sea battle of the First World War, taking place this May – it is a once in a lifetime  opportunity to visit Orkney and witness these significant celebratory events.

As well as the Naval and associated wartime history associated with Scapa Flow, there are also a small number of chartered diving and motor boat companies offering tours of the underwater environment around the Flow and other areas of Orkney. The Scapa Flow Visitor Centre on Hoy is worth a visit, Hoy is easily accessible from Houton or Stromness as a foot passenger or take your car. 

The Visitor Centre tells the story of the naval anchorage in World Wars 1 and 2 and is free of charge. Visitors can find out about the Royal Oak disaster and view the files of war-time photographs. There are audio visual displays which illustrate the history of Scapa Flow, as well as children’s activities. There is also a gift shop and café. It is not essential to take a car, as the Museum is a two minute walk from the pier. If visitors do wish to take a car, they need to book onto the ferry on telephone 01856 811397.

The Old Man of Hoy is a famous 450 foot sea stack, first climbed in 1966 in a televised assault, is perhaps Orkney’s most famous landmark. Allow 3 hours for the round trip walk from Rackwick to the Old Man of Hoy. Please take note that the walk follows a rough track and is moderately demanding.  The Old Man can also be seen from the daily Scrabster-Stromness ferry route.

Based in an old school house at Qouyloo not far from Stromness, tours are on offer with great smells!, the Dark Island beer is definitely worth a try! Also on offer is a great little bistro offering good choice of mains, snacks, cakes and of course beer. Books and dress up area to keep the kids amused and great shop attached too to buy that little something to take home with you!

Highland Park Distillery is located just outside of the main town of Kirkwall and offers a variety of different tours according to taste and pocket!

Tours take place on the hour every hour until closing, but visitors are asked to check their website or phone for opening hours. 

Highland Park is one of only a handful of distilleries that still retains a traditional malting floor. Highland Park Whisky has been named “The Best Spirit in the World” (three times), and has also received “World’s Best Single Malt” for Highland Park 21 years old and the “Ultimate Spirit” in 2013 for Highland Park 25 years old.