Things to do in Orkney


Visiting the Orkney Islands is a journey into ancient history and natural beauty. Start with Skara Brae, a Neolithic village older than Stonehenge. Next, explore the Ring of Brodgar, a mysterious stone circle surrounded by rolling green hills. Don't miss the towering presence of the Standing Stones of Stenness, another enigmatic Neolithic site.

For history buffs, the Orkney Museum offers insight into the islands' rich past. Nature lovers can wander along stunning coastal cliffs, spotting seabirds and seals. And no trip is complete without a visit to the dramatic cliffs of Yesnaby, where crashing waves meet rugged landscapes, creating a scene of unparalleled beauty.

9 listings


Kirbuster Museum
Attraction
Free

Kirbuster Museum

Kirbuster Museum was opened to the public in 1986 and is the last un-restored example of a traditional firehoose in Northern Europe.

Scapa Flow Museum
Attraction
Free

Scapa Flow Museum

Discover the collection of wartime artefacts of national and international importance in the First and Second World War.

Barony Mill
Attraction
From £5

Barony Mill

Orkney's only working water mill since 1873.

Attraction
Free

The Orkney Museum

From Stone Age to the Vikings right through to today, the Museum contains a large collection of international importance.

Attraction
Free

Earl's Palace

Explore the ruins of Robert Stewart's home, who rose to the position of Earl of Orkney in the late 1500s and was Mary Queen of Scots' half-brother.

Attraction
Adults £7.50

Hackness Martello Tower and Battery

Discover the history of these well-preserved coastal defenses to protect merchant shipping interests during the Napoleonic Wars.

Attraction
Free

The Ness of Brodgar

Under excavation since 2004, the site was once a massive complex of Neolithic buildings dating from around 3000BC.

Attraction
Adults from £9

Skara Brae

Long before Stonehenge or even the Egyptian pyramids were built, Skara Brae was a thriving village.