Top Things to do in Mainland
10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Mainland That You Shouldn't Miss
The aptly named Mainland is the main island of Orkney, a collection of Scottish islands with serious Viking cred. On West Mainland you’ll find the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, prehistoric ruins that include a chambered tomb, stone ceremonial circles, and Skara Brae, a well-preserved Neolithic village. Cap off your visit with a hoppy glug from the Orkney Brewery. Over on the East side, marvel at a collapsed sea cave known as The Gloup, take a provincial stroll through St. Mary’s Village or just dip your toes in at Mill Sands or Dingieshowe Beach.
Restaurants in Mainland
1. Orkney Archaeology Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 349 reviews
We specialize in exclusive tours of Orkney, concentrating on the wonderful archaeology but also showing you as much as possible of our beautiful islands. We offer all-inclusive ‘Orkney Adventure’ 7-night small group holidays with a maximum of just eight people, together with private all-inclusive tours and day tours, conducted in our own comfortable executive touring vehicle. Our small group sizes mean we can visit sites off the beaten track and you benefit from the personal touch. We are the only tour company in Orkney to be run by archaeologists - all of our tours are personally led by either Dr Caz Mamwell BSc MA PhD FSA Scot or by Dr Dave Lawrence BSc MSc PhD FSA Scot, who have an in depth understanding of Orkney’s archaeology, cultural traditions and history. They are also accredited STGA Green Badge Orkney Tourist Guides, as well as knowing all the best places to see puffins and seals! Please visit our website for brochure and full details.
2. Ness of Brodgar
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 343 reviews
Reviewed By BDenz - Campbell River, Canada
Each year, the archaeologists who work this site open greater insight into the peoples who lived between Maeshowe, Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar. And with each new find, the history of the era marks this area as the first of its kind in Great Britain. Take that, Stonehenge.
3. See Orkney
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 145 reviews
We are a small family business offering Guided Tours of Orkney. We can take up to eight passengers in our luxury minibus. Our bespoke tours can include The Heart of Neolithic Orkney, Scapa Flow and the South Isles, a Taste of Orkneys food and drink, a Farm Tour, crafts and knitwear or just drive around and take in our beautiful landscapes and seascapes.
4. Orkney Tailor-Made Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 71 reviews
David and Margaret are a husband and wife team of experienced professional Orkney Guides offering private day and half day tours in our air conditioned 7 passenger Hyundai i800. Orkney has stunning scenery, 5,000 year old Megalithic World Heritage sites, a bloodthirsty Viking past and an inland sea that was the British Navy's base in the two World Wars. We tailor our tours round our guests.
5. Yesnaby Cliffs
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 315 reviews
Reviewed By stufromthesim - Glasgow, United Kingdom
The views here on the day we went were simply incredible but in different weather it will be entirely different so bear that in mind when deciding if a visit is worthwhile. These are particularly accessible cliffs with a car park practically on the cliff top at the old gun battery site. The sat nav may try to encourage you to turn left as you drive towards the cliffs but so long as you can see a small selection of derelict ww2 style block buildings ahead of you, stick on the straight road you have been on. There is a concrete hard standing on which about 8 cars could park with little problem and plenty of parking just before this for any overflow. Once out of the car the ground is quite rough and leads to the edge of the cliff and it would be very easy for someone to fall and die - particularly children but those unsteady on their feet would also be at risk towards the edge. That said, provided you’re not an idiot or a negligent parent there is nothing to fear that common sense would not prevent. The sea stacks are but a relatively short walk (we were out and back in about an hour which included fannying about taking pictures) along an well worn path which is signposted off to the left of the car park as you look towards the cliffs. The walk to the stacks was very muddy on our visit but starts out flat before some wooden steps mark the start of a more uneven journey. The path is easy to follow as it tracks the fence all the way with a gangplank to cross a small dip, a 90 degree turn to follow the fence again and some more wooden steps to help you out a little further along. We only went as far as the Castle stack which was about a quarter mile on from the the second set of wooden steps but I understand it runs on further south and takes in more sea stacks but not sure how much farther down they are. A fantastic weather dependant trip that rewards with some stunning photos. I imagine falling down the several hundred metre cliffs would seriously impact on your enjoyment of this worthwhile venue so be careful!
6. Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn
7. Odin Tours of Orkney
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 54 reviews
We specialise in personalised private guided tours of Orkney. Every tour is unique and tailored to your interests and preferences. We can show you well known attractions and some off the beaten track treasures from our comfortable 7 seater touring vehicle. Our guests enjoy the exclusive services of a fully qualified driver guide. It is our aim to ensure you have a fantastic time in Orkney.
8. Deerness Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
Orkney's first distillery in over 132 years, producing handcrafted gin and vodka. Come and visit us for an insight into the fascinating world of distilling, sample our spirits and enjoy our shop offering locally sourced quality gifts, takeaway tea and coffee. Offering over 30 different tonics, we are sure to have something for everyone! Tours available 11am and 1pm every day (10GBP per adult) booking advisable.
Reviewed By 892ralphm
We were an off season (November) group of four, and were given a very informative tour of their distilliery and its products. The products were excellent, and we thoroughly enjoyed their presentation and learned a lot about gin making. We now enjoy a g&t, wishing it was Deerness available here. (you might call for directions, as our gps led us down a dirt road. We were straightened out by helpful farmer).
9. Broch of Gurness
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 306 reviews
Ruins of ancient tower and huts used to defend the Scotish coastline from raiders.
Reviewed By katherine153 - Lancaster, United Kingdom
We much preferred this to the more famous Scara Brae site, and felt it had more to offer. We almost came upon it by chance, as it hadn't been highlighted in material we had been reading about the historic sites. It's in a fabulous position and you can get right up and into the different areas. A must-see site if you are visiting Orkney.
10. The Italian Chapel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,112 reviews
Reviewed By cumba68
Absolutely fell in love with this place. From the front it looks so tiny and I was surprised when I walked in to see how big it is. It is used for masses and weddings. The Italian Chapel consists of two Nissen huts transformed into a beautiful chapel by Domenico Chiocchetti and his colleagues, prisoners of war captured in North Africa and transported to the Island of Lambholm in Orkney. In October 1939 a German submarine under the command of Gunther Prien entered Scapa Flow and sank the British battleship 'Royal Oak' with the loss of 834 lives. Winston Churchill, at that time First Sea Lord, visited Orkney and the decision was taken to construct barriers to close off four of the entrances to Scapa Flow to make the base for the home fleet more secure. A shortage of manpower to construct the barriers coincided with the capture of thousands of Italian soldiers fighting in North Africa so a decision was taken to transport 550 men to Camp 60 on Lambholm and a similar number to Camp 34 on Burray. Following a request from the camp priest, Fr Giacobazzi, it was agreed that two Nissen huts would be joined together to provide a chapel. Among the Italians in Camp 60 was an artist, Domenico Chiocchetti, and he was given the task of transforming the two Nissen huts into a chapel. He was assisted by other tradesmen - in particular Giuseppe Palumbi a blacksmith, and Domenico Buttapasta a cement worker. Domenico Chiocchetti carried in this pocket a small prayer card given to him by his mother before he left his home in Italy and it was the image on that card of the Madonna and Child by Nicolo Barabino that Chiocchetti based his painting above the alter in the Chapel. Initially when he was commissioned to paint above the alter by the Camp Commandant, Major Buckland, he realised that the prisoner was a very talented artist and he was allowed to continue painting to make the building more attractive. Now, 70 years after the completion of the Chapel, it is one of Orkney's major tourist attractions. There is a strong friendship link with the town of Moena in Italy (the home of the artist) and Orkney and members of the family visit Orkney from time to time and a daughter, Letizia, is an Honorary President of the Preservation Committee. Antonella Papa, a restoration artist from Rome, who had previously done work in the Sistine Chapel spent some tiome here working in the Chapel refreshing areas of Chiocchetti's painting which has transformed the faded paint work and has left the Chapel looking fresh and beautiful again. In August 2014 three of the Station of the Cross were stolen. Replacement plaques were carved in Moena are in place in the Chapel but this has resulted in the installation of CCTV cameras which, it is hoped, will deter any further damage to the Chapel. The Preservation Committee do hope visitors will enjoy their time in the Chapel. A small booklet is available in English, Italian and German which, for a donation of £1.00 tells the story in words and pictures and gives a full explanation of the Chapel and its construction. Amazing construction and recycling of materials. Stained glass unavailable so two mirrors on the altar were painted to look like stained glass. Holy water font inside the door an old axle covered in concrete. To aid preservation of the interior We were told that number allowed in at one time limited to under 50 so that peoples breath do not interfere with the art work and you are asked not to touch the walls. £3 per person admission. From Kirkwall take a taxi or bus X1 to Margarets Hope passes here.
