Top Things to do in Orkney Islands
Top 10 Historic Sites in Orkney Islands, Scotland
Discover the best top things to do in Orkney Islands, United Kingdom including St Magnus Church, Egilsay, Dishan Tower, Skara Brae, Barony Mill, Knowe of Yarso Chambered Cairn, Orkney Witchcraft Memorial, Ring of Brodgar, Standing Stones of Stenness, Rennibister Earth House, Maeshowe Chambered Cairn.
Restaurants in Orkney Islands
1. St Magnus Church, Egilsay
2. Dishan Tower
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
3. Skara Brae
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,073 reviews
The Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae, near the dramatic white beach of the Bay of Skaill, is one of the best preserved groups of prehistoric houses in Western Europe. Uncovered by a storm in 1850, the attraction presents a remarkable picture of life around 5,000 years ago. Visitors can experience a prehistoric village and see ancient homes fitted with stone beds, dressers and seats. A replica construction allows visitors to fully understand the interior of a prehistoric house.
Reviewed By 777juliea - Winchester, United Kingdom
This fascinating historic site was on our bucket list for years, and now we have managed to visit twice. On both occasions we were on a guided tour, and the tour guide was full of interesting information. Who could imagine that these relatively advanced houses actually predated Stonehenge? The cluster of houses is close to the sea, with a magnificent sweep of a bay just beyond so visiting the site is itself a memorable experience. Some of the dwellings still retain their stone fittings. There is also a replica dwelling close by which visitors can enter.
4. Barony Mill
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 112 reviews
HOORAY! We'll be open again to visitors on May 31st 2021. Please phone the mill to book. Tours are at 11, 11.45, 12.30, 1.15, 2.00, 3.15 and 4pm. Numbers are limited. Barony Mill is Orkney's last remaining water mill, grinding the ancient grain bere. Milling is done in winter and in summer we are open to visitors. You can have a guided tour by the miller or a volunteer guide. Feel the building shake and shudder when the water is turned on! Afterwards buy some beremeal or oatmeal at the mill and try the recipes in our book for yourself. Entry is £3.50 for adults (free for children) but we still welcome donations which help keep the mill going. We look forward to meeting you!
5. Knowe of Yarso Chambered Cairn
6. Orkney Witchcraft Memorial
7. Ring of Brodgar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,342 reviews
This is the largest Neolithic standing stone circle in Scotland, which is more than 340 feet in diameter consisting of 25 stones, the largest of which is 15 feet in height.
Reviewed By U8982CDkarenm - Kirkwall, United Kingdom
Your step back in time starts at the car park - read the info & realise you're about to walk somewhere that has been there longer than the pyramids!! Stroll the paths to the ring of amazing standing stones (in winter you can't access the centre due to ground damage) however, the walk round the perimeter is awesome. Dwell on how these massive stones where moved from various parts of orkney - not just local. And reflect on their purpose & why they are there. Various single stones stand off from the ring & clear cut paths guide you. The views across both Harray & Stenness Loch complete the walk.
8. Standing Stones of Stenness
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 486 reviews
These mysterious standing stones, similar to England's Stonehenge, date from 2000 BC.
Reviewed By 266annettep - Melbourne, Australia
Again we visited the stones with a Ranger walk check the Historical Scotland Website for times and days. Eleanor our guide first took us to the Barnhouse site which gave us so much information for our visit to Skara Brae. the walk took and hour and it really gave us so much information about the Neolithic people and why they were there. The standing stones were what you wanted them to be I had my Outlander moment, again a must visit UNESCO world heritage site.
9. Rennibister Earth House
10. Maeshowe Chambered Cairn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 710 reviews
This site is closed for now. We’re working hard to gradually reopen the places you love while making sure the experience is safe for everyone. Enter one of the finest Neolithic buildings in north-west Europe, a masterpiece of ancient engineering. This chambered tomb, which sits on a platform encircled by a ditch, is a monument to the skill and beliefs of Orkney's people some 5,000 years ago. If you visit in midwinter - and the skies are clear - you can witness the central chamber illuminated by a shaft of light from the setting sun. Maeshowe's unique story continued with it was broken into about 1,000 years ago by Norsemen. They left their mark in the astonishing runic graffiti, alongside the stunning 'Maeshowe Lion' carving. Visits are by guided tour only. Tours depart from the new Maeshowe Visitor Centre (at Stenness), postcode KW16 3LB. Tours are hourly and start at 10am with the last tour at 4pm.
Reviewed By _sw5555_ - Vancouver, Canada
Guided tour is about 1HR and features a number of topics which are semi-hidden, only to be illuminated by the knowledgeable tour guide. There is also reportedly the largest number of Viking runes in one location in the UK.
