Top 10 Historic Sites in Orkney You Can Visit on a Tour

1. Skara Brae – A Village Older Than the Pyramids

Skara Brae is one of the best-preserved Stone Age villages in the world, dating back over 5,000 years. You can still see stone houses with beds, hearths, and cupboards carved into rock. Walking here, you’re literally stepping into homes that predate the Pyramids of Giza. On my private Orkney tours, I share the stories of how this village was uncovered by a storm in 1850 — it was hidden for centuries beneath sand.

2. Ring of Brodgar – Orkney’s Stonehenge

The Ring of Brodgar is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site. With 27 stones still standing in a massive circle over 100 metres wide, it’s one of the largest stone circles in Britain. At sunset, it’s pure magic. Unlike Stonehenge, you can sometimes walk right up to the stones, touch them, and feel the history.

3. Stones of Stenness – Giants of the Past

These towering stones — some up to six metres tall — are among the oldest henge monuments in Britain. Only a few remain, but their sheer size makes them unforgettable. Standing there, it’s easy to imagine ancient rituals and gatherings that shaped the earliest communities of Orkney.

4. Maeshowe Chambered Cairn

Maeshowe is a Neolithic burial chamber aligned with the winter solstice, where the setting sun lights up the entrance tunnel. Step inside and you’ll see Viking runes scratched into the walls — graffiti left by Norse warriors over 800 years ago. It’s history layered on history, and one of the most atmospheric places in Orkney.

5. St Magnus Cathedral – The Light of the North

Built in 1137 by Viking Earl Rognvald, St Magnus Cathedral dominates Kirkwall’s skyline. Made from red and yellow sandstone, it’s Scotland’s finest medieval cathedral. Inside, you’ll find incredible stonework and stained glass, plus the resting place of St Magnus himself. For me, it’s the beating heart of Kirkwall, a place of faith and pride for Orcadians.

6. The Italian Chapel – Built from Faith and Scrap

During WWII, Italian prisoners of war transformed a Nissen hut into one of the most moving chapels you’ll ever see. Painted walls, delicate plasterwork, and a spirit of hope fill the space. It’s living proof that beauty can bloom even in the hardest of times. Many visitors leave here deeply moved — I always do.

7. Scapa Flow – Harbour of History

Scapa Flow is one of the world’s greatest natural harbours and played a central role in both World Wars. The German fleet was scuttled here in 1919, and wrecks still lie beneath the surface. From the Churchill Barriers to stories of the Royal Navy, Scapa Flow is full of echoes of sacrifice and resilience. On a windy day, it feels haunting.

8. Broch of Gurness – Iron Age Stronghold

Perched by the sea, the Broch of Gurness is a circular Iron Age fort that once sheltered an entire community. You can still walk through its rooms and imagine daily life nearly 2,000 years ago. Later, Norse settlers moved in and reused the broch — history layered upon history, all in one spot.

9. Birsay – Tidal Island of Norse and Pictish Ruins

The Brough of Birsay is a tidal island where the Atlantic crashes into Orkney’s northwest. At low tide, you walk across a causeway to discover ruins of a Norse settlement and earlier Pictish buildings. The views are wild, the history is deep, and timing it with the tide makes the whole thing an adventure.

10. Yesnaby Cliffs – Nature and History Combined

Yesnaby isn’t just about jaw-dropping cliffs — though the sea stacks and waves are incredible. The area has wartime lookouts, folklore, and geology that tells the story of Orkney’s deep past. For me, it’s where the island’s natural history and human history meet, and it’s always a highlight to show visitors.

These ten sites are just the beginning. Orkney is a place where history sits right on the surface — and sometimes beneath your boots. If you’d like to experience these places with someone who grew up here and knows their stories, join me for a private Orkney tour.

Book today, and let’s walk through 5,000 years of history together.

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