Ultimate Orkney: 7 Unmissable Places to Visit on Orkney

Van Travel

Orkney is a mysteriously alluring place. The island beckons you across the Pentland firth, like the low-lying mist enveloping the lands. Sitting across the stormy seas at the very top of Scotland, Orkney is a destination like no other. A place full of folklore, Norse roots, and neolithic history, which intertwines with the modern world. Relics from World War I & 2 have made their mark here and lay side by side with ancient history.

Orkney is famed for the UNESCO world heritage site: “The heart of neolithic Orkney” A collection of stone age settlements and locations. Skara Brae, the most famous of the sites, is a beautifully preserved stone age settlement of 10 houses on the Bay of Skail, one of the most well-preserved in the world. It’s not all about ancient history on this island, though. You are only a stone’s throw away from the vibrance of Kirkwall, the quaintness of Stromness, the relics of world war 2, shipwrecks, and folklore tales, often being told over a dram of Orkney’s finest: Highland Park Scotch.

When you visit Orkney: these are the undeniably 7 unmissable sights of Orkney you have to see!

Standing stones of Stennes, just down from Ring of Brodgar

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01 – Brough of Birsay

Moody wild winds, the roaring sound of the Atlantic Ocean, and the solitude of one tiny tidal island are what await you across Birsay Bay. An adventurous tidal path arises at low tide, clearing the way across the causeway to the small uninhabited Island that sits at the northwestern tip of the mainland of Orkney. One of the first places you will come across is an ancient Norse settlement: The Norseman’s Village. A well-preserved archaeological relic of how the Vikings lived on Orkney and how Viking society shaped the island. Explore the island further, heading straight up and over the hill takes you to the Brough of Birsay Lighthouse and the very imposing cliffs.
The island only has a short window of exploration before the path over the causeway disappears back into the sea. Make sure you time your visit carefully! Tide times here.

Entry cost: Free

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Brough of Birsay

View of Brough of Birsay

03 – The Italian Chapel

Simple and understated, What this Chaple lacks in size makes up for in a truly magnificent story. Built-in World War 2 by Italian Prisoners of War on the Island at the time. The chapel was created pulling whatever scarce resources were available at the time. The Chapel, a tin tabernacle to two Nissen huts joined together, hand-painted interiors with light holders made from beef tins. The chapel remains a reminder of tough wartimes on the island.

Entry cost: £3.50

Open every day except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Check opening times here.

Italian Chapel

Inside Chapel

02 – Skiba Geo

Some of the most spectacular coastlines of Scotland are located on Orkney, and you will be able to see some of this coastal magic along the Skiba Geo coastal walk. Starting at Birsay, follow the trail clearly marked along the coastline for a 1.2km leisurely, flat, and easy stroll. The geology and feel of the coast here are awe-inspiring and moody, as the waves roll in over the deep black rock cliffs, you will find yourself refreshed yet in awe of the power of the Orcadian sea winds. The walk takes you over some of Orkney’s fishing history. Fishing was a lifeline for Orcadians for centuries. Along the walk you will see deep groves called “Nousts” carved into the high ground on the cliff banks from years and years of hard toiling, pulling boats from the stormy seas. Near the “Nousts,” there is a 19th-century fishermans Hut built into the cliff, which has been preserved exquisitely. The end of the walk takes you to the mysterious and infamous Birsay whalebone. A real whalebone is attached to a post with an intriguing story. The relic apparently dates back to 1876, when a “right whale” was washed ashore. Many believe the whalebone mast has been kept brooding over the shores here as a signpost and waymaker for fishermen and boats travelling past.

The coast walk is free and fun for all the family; make sure you put Skiba Geo on your list of Orkney sights.

Entry cost: Free

Signpost for Skiba Geo

Skiba Geo

04 – Broch of Gurness

Brochs are unique to Scotland. They are walled, small tower-like structures that date back to the iron age. There are over 500 Brochs around Scotland and they provide a glimpse of how life was lived back then, around 2000 years ago. The exact use of a Broch has been debated for many years. It is believed to be have been chiefly home and a defensive refuge for the community and livestock. The Broch of Gurness is a fantastic relic of a Broch and an iron age village. It is well preserved and as you walk around you can see the village, how people lived and the detail of their homes clearly.

Entry cost: £7

Open from spring to autumn.

For more information on your visit,check here.

The Norse village-Broch of Gurness

Remanants of the old tower

05 – The Churchill Barriers

The Churchhill Barriers are quite an unusual sight. They are a blockade of large concrete blocks placed together along several causeways that connect some islands around the Scapa flow. They were created under the governance of Winston Churchill during World War 2 after a German U-boat made it into the waters and sunk the HMS Royal Oak. Prisoners of war on the Island built a total number of four causeways, and these uniquely looking stone barricades are visible as you drive from Lamb Holm, Glimps Holm, and Burray to South Ronaldsay.

A definite must on your visit to Orkney.

Entry cost: Free

Check out its location here.

Cruising the Orkney Islands: Ultimate Guide

The complete guide to travel in Orkney by campervan and motorhome.

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View of Churchill Barriers from shore

Crossing the Churchill Barriers

06 – Skara Brae

5000 years of history is preserved beautifully on the Bay of Skail. Skara Brae is a renowned UNESCO world heritage site, and possibly one of the most famous neolithic sites in the entire world. It predates both the pyramids of Giza and the neolithic wonder of Stone Henge. Skara Brae is extremely special due to the unbelievable preservation of the 10 stone age settlement houses. In 1850, A fierce storm ripped through the island causing havoc along the shoreline. It tore up the sand dunes along the bay of Skail and unearthed Skara Brae in doing so, and since then it has been a place people have flocked to.

Entry cost: £7.50/£9

Open every day of the year, and opening times depend on the season. Booking and buying your ticket online is much cheaper than buying it at the door. Buy your tickets here.

Old Neolithic house

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Inside house-Skara Brae

07 – Ring of Brodgar

The Ring of Brodgar is one of the most enigmatic, neolithic sites on the British Isles. The ring which is believed to be a ceremonial site is older than Stonehenge, around 5000 years old. If you are interested in neolithic history and stone circles you may also be interested in The standing Stones of Stennes just up the road which is even older. The site is on a large patch of greenery and makes for a lovely walk in nature and around the imposing stones.