Here are some of Orkney’s many wonderful places to visit – from a tour with Malcolm.
Orkney is always atmospheric, memorable and surprising – a land of history preserved in stone, protected by distance and heritage, and now open to exploration – right on our doorstep. Here are some of the favourite places we love:
The Iron Age Broch of Gurness in Orkney, north Scotland
The Broch of Gurness is one of the best preserved broch sites in Britain. Some brochs may be taller (a broch is a round tower with double walls, found mostly in northern Scotland, around the coast), but at Gurness there are the amazingly well preserved outer defences and the buildings of a village huddled around it . Most impressive of all is still being allowed to go right inside the site, touch the stones and explore. A beautiful setting too – this site was a highlight of touring Orkney.
Kirkwall Main Street early, before the crowds
Kirkwall is the main town in Orkney - the capital town, with a population around the 7,000 mark. This number is swelled by all the 19,000 or so residents in Orkney, who come from all over the many islands to shop and work and play. In the summer there are also many cruise ships calling by, passengers getting a fleeting look at the famous sites and a little bit of shopping before sailing away. It is much better to stay longer, in one of the many B&Bs, hotels, hostels or the camp ground and enjoy the nightlife too.
Notice the ice cream sign on the left – Orkney ice cream is the best – reflecting the way the cows graze tasty, fresh grass and lead healthy lives, and no doubt craftsmanship in the making too.
Stenness Standing Stones in Neolithic Orkney
The Stenness Standing Stones are in the middle of the Neolithic World Heritage Site and a “must visit” site. Notice I don’t just say ‘must see’? To appreciate these stones and this site you need to get out and walk amongst them – which we can do for free! How cool is that – the oldest henge (like Stonehenge but older) in Britain, probably, and it is open access 24/7. This site holds great secrets too!
The sheep keep the grass down so watch where you step!
Seaweed in morning light at Birsay
One of the delights of Orkney is the amazing coastline and the life it supports. At Birsay, in the NW corner of Mainland, the biggest island, you can get really close, safely, explore rock pools and sandy beaches as you cross the tidal causeway to the Viking and Pictish village remains. This is also a good location to see sea life and sea birds, including a few elusive puffins in summer.
Take time to enjoy the detail – we try to slow down and be fully present and enjoy it as much as life allows. Beach combing or a picnic are great here too. There are also the remains of the Earl’s Palace and public toilets, up by the little shop in Birsay. At the car park there is often a wonderful burger van – recommended!
The way in the "Tomb of the Eagles"
Tomb of the Eagles – a 5,000 year old chambered cairn above stunningly beautiful cliffs of South Ronaldsay (southerly island of Orkney) is so named because of the many sea eagle talons that were found there, as well as human bones, skulls, and mysterious stone objects / tools.
Best of all is that the site is privately run by the wonderful family who discovered and unearthed the site. You can get closer to the artifacts, learn more and visit the Bronze Age house also found on their land. From experience it is best to allow at least 2 hours for a visit – we had lunch there (picnic). See this blog.
"Dwarfie Stane" - Rock Cut Chamber on Hoy, Orkney
The Dwarfie Stane is fantastic – the only one of its kind in Britain – it used to be the most visited site by antiquarians but is now forgotten, so we got it all to ourselves. Three people can crawl inside this huge sandstone boulder that has been hollowed out, experts think by Stone Age people using simple tools and brains. Not much else is known about it – unless you go with Malcolm, who knows secrets about the site and a lot about the surrounding area. Those tourists who do make it here only stay a moment but they are missing one of Orkney’s gems! Very special.
Skara Brae House in Neolithic Village, Orkney
Skara Brae Village, in west Orkney Mainland is the number one tourist attraction. This picture shows one of the “houses” as they are called of the unique village cluster, only exposed after a storm in 1850. The site has been much cleaned up and tidied now and due to visitor pressure you have to keep to the edges of the actual site. Fair enough – the site needs protecting.
This is just a taste of Orkney – yet there is so much else to see and do. I hope it helps you to decide to come and visit these amazing islands and people.
For more information see these websites:
