Exploring Orkney Islands archaeological sites is a bucket list adventure. Number 5 in our series of 12 Blogmas travel adventures focuses on a whirlwind tour in the heart of Neolithic Orkney to a few of the archipelago’s amazing prehistoric monuments.
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First-time visit to Orkney Islands and its wealth of archaeological sites
They sit about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) off the northeastern coast of Scotland. The Orkney Islands are known for their incredible archaeological sites. Like Easter Island off the coast of Chile, this destination is a highlight for anyone interested in remote prehistoric sites. Visiting these places takes strong desire and a bit of effort to get here.
Love exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites? Check out
The Definitive Guide to All 1,199 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (released in 2024).
If you have limited time, the vast number of archaeological sites in the Orkney’s can be a bit overwhelming for a first-time visit. Start on Orkney’s Mainland – the largest island in the archipelago. West Mainland has the highest concentration of prehistoric monuments in Great Britain. In particular, focus on the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll find more than enough to keep you busy for a few days!
Mainland Orkney: 4 Monuments in a UNESCO World Heritage Site
During the Neolithic Stone Age, massive monuments were constructed on the Orkney Islands. There are 4 keystones in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney on Mainland dating back as far as 5,000 years ago: Maeshowe, Skara Brae, the Ring of Brogdar, and the Standing Stones of Stenness. They became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
Maeshowe is a chambered tomb – also called a passage grave – aligned to winter solstice sunset. Skara Brae is a prehistoric village set on Skaill Bay on the west coast of the Mainland.
The ceremonial stone circles of the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness played an important role is the archaeological landscape. The Ring of Brogdar was built around 2500 to 2000 BCE. It is third largest stone circle in Great Britain. Only four of the original 11 Standing Stones of Stenness still stand today.
When you visit these Orkney monuments
Each of these Orkney Islands archaeological sites is a prehistoric treasure and a must-visit. Maeshowe is accessible by guided tour only and tickets must be reserved in advance. Tours run at 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 2 pm from Oct 1st – Mar 31st and at 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm, and 4 pm from Apr 1st – Sept 30th.
Skara Brae also requires tickets and offers advance booking online. It is open daily (10 am – 4 pm Oct 1st – Mar 31st with last entry at 3 pm / 9:30 am – 5:30 pm Apr 1st – Sept 30th with last entry at 4:30 pm)
The Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness are both free to visit and open year-round. World Heritage Rangers lead guided walks at both sites at select times throughout the year (highly recommend taking one of these in if available during your visit).
Looking for more Scottish adventures?
Check out “Half-day hikes in Cairngorms” and “5 Top Tips for Campervan Hire in Scotland.”
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