Orkney Things to Do

  Earl's Palace - inside, 1st floor
by iaint
 
  • Earl's Palace - inside, 1st floor
      Earl's Palace - inside, 1st floor
    by iaint
  • Earl's Palace - again, 1st floor
      Earl's Palace - again, 1st floor
    by iaint
  • the 3 main stones
      the 3 main stones
    by iaint
  • with people (and sheep) for scale
      with people (and sheep) for scale
    by iaint
  • Skara Brae
      Skara Brae
    by iaint
 
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Brough of Birsay.

by leics

The Brough of Birsay is a tidal island. accessible by causeway at low tide (pedestrians only). A Pictish community settled there from about the 6th century, and later the Vikings built a community. there are extensive remains of the latter......Birsay was a very important place. Walk further, across the island or along its edge, and you will come eventually to the lighthouse. Watch the birds (I saw a great skua bring down and drown a young gull when I was there) and the seals......if you are really lucky, you may even see whlaes. Bring your binoculars!

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Yesnaby

by leics

To get to Yesnaby you'll need a car or bike (thoughOrkney is one of the few places I'd feel safe hitchhiking), but it is well worth the effort. On the west coast of Mainland, it is simply spectacular. The Atlantic boils and booms below sheer, towering cliffs, cutting its way into the land to form stacks and geos. Birds are everywhere. To the north, walk across the bare rock headland (topsoil removed to fertilise the fields)........watch out for bullocks and expect the local birds to be a bit cross in the nesting season! To the south, more gentle, green paths lead around the coastline to a tiny bay with boat nousts, and onwards to Yesnaby Castle, a stunning stack. Try to visit in the week, as Yesnaby is popular with local folk at weekends. Better yet, watch the sun go down over the sea and acknowledge the beauty of nature.

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Scapa Flow

by leics

The natural harbour created by Scapa Flow has been in use for centuries .....records date from the Vikings in the 13th century to the present day. In the First World War it was the fleet's northern base and the German fleet was scuttled there in 1919 (8 vessels remain submerged). In the Second World War it was equally important. In October 1939 a German U-boat managed to pass between Mainland and Lamb Holm, torpedoing HMS Royal Oak with the loss of 833 lives (the wreck is a war grave). This led Winston Churchill to order the building of concrete barriers between the islands (now known as the Churchill Barriers) to prevent any further attacks. Scapa today is beautiful, full of wildlife and interest. The Stromness Museum has many relics and much interesting information about its history, and is well worth a visit.

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Skara Brae

by leics

Of course, you must visit the Neolithic village of Skara Brae (3200 BCE to 2200 BCE), but try to go before or after the coaches!A world-heritage site, the village was first exposed by a storm in 1850, but was excavated between 1928 and 1930. the houses are built in similar style, interlinked by roofed corridors and set into deep mounds of rubbish (middens) which helped to keep them warm. They all have the same interior style....a 'dresser' facing the main entrance, two beds on either side and little niches in the walls (presumably for personal belongings). The visitors' centre is extremely interesting, the guides are friendly and knowledgeable, there's a good cafe and a full-size reconstruction of a roofed house to explore. When Skara Brae was inhabited the sea was further away, but now it lies on the shore and precautions have to be taken against its erosion. More settlement is being...

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The Italian Chapel

by leics

From 1942 - 45 there was an Italian prisoner-of-war camp on Lamb Holm, a tiny island now linked to Mainland by the Churchill Barriers. It was decided that 13 huts of Camp 60 were missing one thing..... a chapel. Two Nissen huts were joined, initially to form a chapel and 'schoolroom'. Out of this ordinary beginning came a masterpiece. The chapel was decorated by Domenico Chiocchetti, who stayed on after the war had ended to finish his task. he returned to the chapel twice more, in 1960 (to restore it) and in 1964 with his wife, before dying in 1999 in his home village of Moena at the age of 89. The chapel looks interesting enough from the outside, but the interior is truly stunning. Visit and wonder at the skill and dedication of those who built it.

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Maes Howe

by leics

Everyone visiting Orkney Mainland must see Maes Howe, but try to be there when the coaches aren't .....early or late. It's so much better if there are only a few people inside....or just you! The construction of this tomb is stunning.....the corbelled roof and the 'swinging stone' at the entrance show the incredible skill of its prehistoric builders. Set in a ritual landscape of massive importance, the care taken over its siting is still clear today......facing the Sun as it sets between the far hills. The website below gives a live feed when the Winter solstice sunset occurs, and the rays light up the entrance tunnel of the tomb. Inside, you can see the graffitti left by Vikings who broke in ( boasting of 'carrying away treasure for four days'). The visitors' centre is informative, the guides knowledgeable but, unfortunately, access to the interior of the tomb is only for those who can...

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Churchill Barriers

by leics

You can't avoid travelling over the Churchill Barriers if you want to explore the islands linked by them to Mainland. Built in the Second Wrold War, by the Italian p.o.w.s based in Orkney, they were intended to prevent U-boats accessing Scapa Flow. Huge 'blockships' carrying tons of concrete blocks were used to seal the channels between the islands, and the ships themselves were then sunk Initially, the prisoners refused to build the barriers, but were persuaded when they realised that the road laid across them would be vitally important to the islanders. The road is still the only route to Mainland from the islands to the south (although it is dangerous to cross if the sea is very rough) and some blockship wrecks are visible even now. A wonderful achievement.

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Italian Chapel

by bluesmama

The italian chapel was built by italian POWs in an old hangar. When you stand right in front it looks really beautiful like a 'real' chapel but when you take a few steps to either side you can see the side of the hangar and it just looks so weird.It is beautifully decorated inside too.

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Skara Brae stone houses

by bluesmama

Skara Brae is a stone age village and was discovered in 1850. There was a big storn and the sand that had covered Skara Brae for 4500 (!!) years blew away and revealed this treasure. A path from the visitors centre take you to Skara Brae and on the way are small stones with years on them taking you back in time. I.e. Walking on the moon, birth of Jesus Christ and so on. They are placed proportionally apart so that it really feels like you are going back in time.In the background you can see Bay of Skails. So strange to imagine how it must have been to live here 4500 years ago.

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Skara Brae

by bluesmama

There are about 20 houses/dwellings in Skara Brae. There are walkways around the top of them and you are able to look down into the rooms - many complete with beds, fireplaces and shelving.Some places you can walk into the houses for a closer look and look through the narrow passages between the houses. Must have been very small and skinny back then.

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Fun things to do in Orkney

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Things to Do: Cities in Orkney
  1. Stromness Things to Do
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Questions and Answers

Muffyrabbit profile photo

Q:  I'm just beginning to plan a trip to Scotland and have decided on visiting Orkney. We will be there end of May beginning of June... 

leics profile photo

A: If you have a car then it will be extremely easy to travel around the islands...Mainland is linked by the Churchill barriers to Lamb Holm, Burray and South Ronaldsey.... 

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