In my over 20 years of traveling the world, the Orkney Islands in Scotland ranks among my favorite destinations. This remote archipelago north of the mainland offers it all, including beaches that look like they should be in the Caribbean, a fascinating Viking history, and a wealth of neolithic sites to explore. A wide range of outdoor adventures, distilleries, fantastic food, and friendly people make Orkney a place to return to again and again.
For your first visit, you’ll want to put at least a few of these things to do on your itinerary.
Ring of Brodgar
What Is It? The Ring of Brodgar is a series of important monuments built 5,000 years ago that are part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.
Why Do It? The massive stone circle includes 36 of the original mysterious standing stones, allowing visitors to walk among one of the British Isles’ most impressive prehistoric monuments dating all the way back to the 3rd millennium BC, older than the world-famous Stonehenge in England.
Good to Know: Guided walks are available or you can explore on your own. It’s free to visit and open all year round.
Skara Brae Prehistoric Village
What Is It? Skara Brae is a prehistoric village that archaeologists estimate was built and occupied between 30000 and 2500 BC, which makes it older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids.
Why Do It? It’s one of the most well-preserved Neolithic settlements in Western Europe, with the artifacts found at the site providing insight into life in Britain thousands of years ago, including how the people built their homes, the food they ate, the work they did, and the tools they used.
Good to Know: Even some of the furniture has managed to stand the test of time, with beds, dressers, shelves, and hearths made from stone. Your entrance fee also includes Skaill House, a grand mansion turned museum with Neolithic and Iron Age finds, 17th-century furnishings, and much more.
St. Magnus Cathedral
What Is It? St. Magnus Cathedral dates back to 1137 was dedicated to St Magnus, Earl of Orkney in the 12th century, at a time when Orkney was part of the Kingdom of Norway. Magnus’s nephew had it constructed in honor of his uncle and his relics are still interred in the pillars of the choir.
Why Do It? Built from red and yellow sandstone, it’s the oldest cathedral in Scotland and has managed to stand the test of time against Reformers and Cromwell troops, as well as being a fine example of Romanesque architecture.
Good to Know: The cathedral is open to visitors and for private prayer with no admission cost.
Bishop’s & Earl’s Palaces
What Is It? The Bishop’s Palace is a 12th-century palace adjacent to St. Magnus Cathedral, which was built at the same time, serving as the residence for its first bishop. Just steps away is the Earl’s Palace, a Renaissance-style ruin built in the early 17th century to expand accommodation options.
Why Do It? Both of the remarkable ruins are open for self-guided tours, with the ground level of the two-story Bishop’s Palace still largely intact and full of history.
Good to Know: Visit the palaces by purchasing tickets at the visitor center on the grounds of the Earl’s Palace or online in advance – highly recommended during the peak of the tourist season between June and September.
The Beaches
What Is It? The Orkney Islands are home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the United Kingdom. Most are wide, white sweeping sands, although there are some rocky coves and inlets.
Why Do It? Many of the beaches, with their dazzling turquoise water, look like they should be in the Caribbean. When you cross over the sand dunes at Whitemill Bay on Sanday Island on a sunny day, it’s like stepping onto a tropical island. While the sea is chilly, it’s a great place for photo ops.
Good to Know: There are many other gorgeous stretches to discover on Sanday Island (and throughout the archipelago), including Otterswick, Cata Sand, Bay of Newark, and Bay of Lopness which holds a secret – when the tide is out, the remains of a World War 1 German ship becomes visible.
The Italian Chapel
What Is It? The Italian Chapel is a unique chapel with a fascinating story that attracts over 100,000 visitors every year. During World War II, Italian prisoners of war were brought here to help build the Churchill Barriers. As most were Roman Catholic, they wanted a place to worship and were given permission to construct the chapel using a Quonset hut and salvaged scraps of metal and wood.
Why Do It? Both the interior and exterior are stunning and make for fabulous photographs.
Good to Know: Artist Domenico Chiocchetti had carried a small prayer card given to him by his mother before he left his home in Italy and used the image on it to base his painting above the altar. After the camp’s commander realized how talented he was, he was allowed to continue painting to make the building more attractive. Today, members of Chiocchetti’s family still visit Orkney. In fact, his daughter Letizia is an Honorary President of the Preservation Committee.
Old Man of Hoy
What Is It? One of the most famous landmarks in the Orkney Islands, the Old Man of Hoy is located along the coast of Hoy Island. A soaring 449-foot sea stack, it was carved from layer upon layer of Old Red Sandstone. The stormy seas gave it two legs over time, leading to the name “Old Man.”
Why Do It? The hike to reach the Old Man is epic with breathtaking scenery the entire way. You’ll want to do it sooner rather than later as the waves will continue to erode the base, eventually causing the pillar to collapse.
Good to Know: It’s an easy, well-marked 5.4-mile round-trip walk starting from a free parking area that lies at the end of the road from Moaness and Lyness.
Standing Stones of Stenness
What Is It? The Stones of Stenness are part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site. Built 5,000 years ago, the circle once held 12 stones. Today, there are four that remain, soaring up to about 20 feet in height.
Why Do It? Fans of the popular series “Outlander” can try going back in time like Claire or just take a great photo as if they are.
Good to Know: They say sheep are repeatedly drawn to the center of the stone ring due to the energy field. There’s nothing paranormal about the energy forces – they’ve been studied extensively and may have been used by prehistoric people for healing purposes. No admission fee is required, but if you come during the peak tourist season, plan to arrive early or around dusk to avoid the crowds.
Highland Park Distillery
What Is It? An award-winning whisky distillery dating back to 1798. Highland Park Distillery uses local peat and the whisky is aged in sherry casks made from European or American oak.
Why Do It? A variety of interesting tours are available that will bring you through the distillery with an expert guide before heading to the tasting room for samples. Exclusive tours are available that will allow you to taste some of the distillery’s oldest and rarest whiskies.
Good to Know: A shop is available on-site and online for purchasing Highland Park whiskies and accessories.
Broch of Gurness
What Is It? An Iron Age broch village that’s believed to have included 14 houses and dates back about 2,000 years.
Why Do It? It’s one of the most outstanding surviving examples of an Iron Age Settlement and as it’s been archaeologically excavated, it provides a more vivid impression of life in the Scottish Iron Age than other comparable sites. It’s believed to have been the residence of the community’s principal family and included a single central hearth, a ring of stone-built cupboards around the wall, and a spiral set of stairs leading to upper levels in the tower.
Good to Know: It sits on a spectacular stretch of coastline, offering magnificent beach and sea views.
Unstan Chambered Cairn
What Is It? Unstan is a Neolithic chambered cairn built on a promontory that extends into the Loch of Stenness.
Why Do It? The burial tomb is over 5,000 years old and while it’s one of hundreds of similar sites that can be found on Orkney, It’s known for its exceptionally good condition and easy accessibility. After entering, you’ll be in the main chamber, where you can see separate “stalls” and a small individual “cell.”
Good to Know: There is no admission fee and Unstan is open year-round.
The Orkney Museum
What Is It? A history museum in Kirkwall opposite St. Magnus Cathedral, the Orkney Museum tells the story of Orkney from the Stone Age through the Picts and Vikings to the present day.
Why Do It? It contains some of the most treasured artifacts from Orkney, including items like beads that people living at Skara Brae wore made from bird and sheep bones, whale’s, pig’s, and cattle’s teeth. Stone gaming boards were discovered too, revealing that both Pictish and Viking-age people liked board games.
Good to Know: There is a large collection of old photos and activities aimed to entertain younger visitors.
