Introduction
I grew up in Orkney, surrounded by its history that I came to love. Sometimes not fully understanding how lucky I was to have this all on my doorstep. The stories and history behind each of these sites is unique and interesting each in their own way.
Let me take you on a tour of some of Orkney’s more well known historical sites.
1. Tomb of the Eagles
Brief History
Perched above the dramatic South Ronaldsay cliffs, the Isbister Chambered Cairn, better known today as the ‘Tomb of the Eagles’, is one of Orkney’s most fascinating archaeological sites. Unearthed by chance by local farmer Ronnie Simison in the 1950s. The Stone Age tomb revealed an amazing collection of bones and artefacts, placed here some 5,000 years ago.
The Neolithic tomb held remains of over 300 people along with the bones and talons of sea eagles, hence the name “Tomb of the Eagles”. Humans once buried these powerful birds beside them, though no one knows why. Were they spiritual protectors, symbols of freedom, or something else entirely?
To enter the chamber you pull yourself along on the time travel trolley, through a low stone passage into the ancient chamber. The passageway into the tomb is 70cm wide and 85cm high, and is 3m long!
Along with the tomb there is also a beautiful cliff top walk and wild flower trail. This walk is teaming with wildlife including a variety of birds and sea birds, common blue butterfly, common and grey seals, and if you’re lucky orcas and other cetaceans.
Allow yourself 2-4 hours to enjoy the full experience of this historic masterpiece. To get to the tomb itself expect to walk 1.5km and halfway to the site you can also see a Bronze Age site. For a full circular walk it takes approximately 1 and a half hours. As you walk, you’ll come across benches where you can pause and soak up the scenery.
This site has struggled to run over the years as it is run by volunteers and donations. If you’d like to help keep this incredible site open for others, you can make a donation or volunteer your time!
Visit this site to immerse yourself in the history and to find out more about the site. You won’t regret it!
Please be aware this site is not open all year round. See the website for opening times and up to date pricing.
Website: https://tomboftheeagles.co.uk
Location: Liddle, St Margaret’s Hope KW17 2RW, United Kingdom
Price List (as of November 2025):
2. Skara Brae
Brief History
Hidden for thousands of years beneath layers of sand, Skara Brae is one of the best-preserved prehistoric villages in Europe, often called “Scotland’s Pompeii”. Located on the windswept Bay of Skaill in Orkney, this Neolithic settlement dates back over 5,000 years. This makes it older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza!
In 1850, a fierce winter storm ripped across Orkney, stripping away the sand dunes and revealing something extraordinary. A cluster of stone dwellings, perfectly preserved, frozen in time.
Today, you can walk through the stone passages and see where people placed their stone beds, dressers, and hearths millennia ago. This glimpse into how they lived is extremely interesting considering the harsh conditions they would have ensured.
The visitor centre features artefacts like pottery, tools, dice, jewellery and carved stone objects. It also depicts an excellent reconstruction of one of the houses. You can purchase tickets here to enter the site and have a nice spot of lunch.
What’s interesting about this settlement is that archaeologists uncovered no weapons. The people didn’t build it in an easily defended area, suggesting they lived peacefully.
A short walk 5-10 minute walk from the visitor center along the coast you will find Skara Brae itself. You could also continue walking up along the cliffs to take in the beautiful scenery or visit the 17th century mansion, Skail House, belonging to the laird who first uncovered the village. Allow yourself 1-2 hours to explore both sites at your comfort.
If you’re exploring Orkney’s prehistoric trail, Skara Brae is an absolute must-see. To learn more about the site go and check it out in person!
Opening hours change through the seasons, to get the most up to date opening times and prices visit the site below.
Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/skara-brae/
Location: Sandwick, Stromness KW16 3LR, United Kingdom
Price List (as of November 2025):
3. Ring of Brodgar – Standing Stones of Stenness
Brief History
Set on a narrow strip of land between the lochs of Harray and Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stokes of Stenness stand as part of Orkney’s most awe-inspiring ancient monuments. Dating back over 5,000 years, these Neolithic stone circles are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, alongside Maeshowe and Skara Brae.
People originally built the Ring of Brodgar with 60 standing stones, and 36 of these ancient giants still remain today. They form an almost perfect circle 104 metres wide, one of the largest stone circles in Britain. Around the perimeter of the circle is a large rock cut ditch.
Unlike some other circles, the Ring of Brodgar sits untouched by modern reconstruction, its mystery left entirely to the imagination.
No one knows for sure what this place was used for but there are a handful of theories. Maybe it was a place for rituals, a ceremonial gathering site or potentially astronomical observation?
Parking down by the loch and a 5-10 minute walk takes you to the edge of this large stone circle. A 2km circular path lets you wander the perimeter, taking in panoramic views of the site. Accessible parking is also available closer to the site.
Just a short walk/drive away sits the Standing Stones of Stenness, built 5,400 years ago. Of the original 12 stones only four towering stones remain, standing up tall at 6m! Like the Ring of Brodgar, a circular ditch once surrounded it but is no longer seen due to ploughing.
Archaeologists believe this smaller oval circle at 30m in diameter, once served as a ceremonial site or meeting place. It is possibly connected to Brodgar by a sacred route that linked the monuments together in ritual or celebration.
If visiting after a period of rain please be careful as the grass can be slippery under foot.
Both of these sites are available to visit all year round with no restrictions.
Have a look around these amazing structures and let me know what you think the story behind them is.
Ring of Brodgar:
Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/ring-of-brodgar-stone-circle-and-henge/
Location: B9055, Stromness KW16 3JZ, United Kingdom
Price: FREE, open all year around
Standing Stones of Stenness
Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/stones-of-stenness-circle-and-henge/
Location: Stromness KW16 3JZ, United Kingdom
Price: FREE, open all year round
4. Italian Chapel
Brief History
On the small island of Lamb Holm, just off the Churchill Barriers, stands one of Orkney’s most unexpected treasures, the Italian Chapel. Unlike the island’s prehistoric monuments, this beautiful little building dates back to World War II. It tells a story not of ancient ritual, but of faith, hope, and creativity in captivity.
In 1942, hundreds of Italian prisoners of war were brought to Orkney to help construct the Churchill Barriers. The causeways built to protect Scapa Flow after the tragic sinking of HMS Royal Oak. Among them were men determined to bring a sense of home and humanity to their bleak surroundings. Using two Nissen huts, leftover concrete, and whatever materials they could find, they created something extraordinary. A chapel filled with intricate frescoes, delicate ironwork, and a sense of peace that still lingers today.
The chapel’s interior was mainly the work of Domenico Chiocchetti, a talented artist from Moena, Italy. He painted the walls and ceiling to resemble marble and stone. Every detail was crafted by hand, from the painted altar and stained-glass windows to the wrought-iron candlesticks made from scrap metal. What began as a humble project of faith became a lasting symbol of resilience, beauty, and reconciliation.
However sadly in 2014 some items were stolen from the chapel and since replacements have been recreated and reinstalled. To protect the history of this place CCTV and on site custodians are now in place.
Allow around 30 – 45 minutes to explore the chapel and its small exhibition, which tells the story of the men who built it and their lasting friendship with the people of Orkney.
Opening times vary throughout the year, check them out on the website below to stay up to date. You can also find PDF’s of brochures created by the families of the Italian prisoners.
Donations towards the upkeep of this beautiful chapel are always welcome to keep this piece of history alive.
Website: https://www.orkney.com/listings/the-italian-chapel
Location: Lamb Holm, Orkney KW17 2SF, United Kingdom
Price (As of November 2025):
12 Years and Under: FREE
Adults: £4
5. Earls Palace
Brief History
On the northern tip of Orkney’s mainland stand the remains of the Earl’s Palace, built between 1569 and 1574 by Robert Stewart, the illegitimate son of King James V and half-brother to Mary, Queen of Scots. He was granted the Orkney and Shetland estates in 1564, and ruled the islands as though they were his own kingdom.
The palace was an impressive residence, arranged around a courtyard with four two-storey ranges and three-storey towers at the corners. The ground floors held service rooms, while the upper floors contained halls, chambers, and a gallery reserved for the earl.
Over the entrance, Robert carved an inscription declaring himself the “son of James V, King of Scots.” The use of “King” instead of “King’s son” was technically treason, a fitting reflection of his arrogance and the way he ruled Orkney.
When Robert died in 1593, his son Patrick Stewart, known as “Black Patie,” continued his father’s harsh rule. Patrick was eventually arrested in 1609, and in 1614 his son Robert tried to reclaim the palace and seize Kirkwall but was captured. Both were executed the following year, ending the Stewart line’s control of Orkney.
There is limited parking available near this site, but there is a small local store, 2 minutes walk away. You can grab some tasty snacks or lunch before wandering around these ruins, learning about the history of this site.
This palace is located next to Broch of Birsay and the beach which are also worth a visit. Here you can also visit a small island and St Peters Chapel. Access here has to be timed at/around low tide via a walkway which gets covered by the tides. This route can be slippery so take your time and be careful.
Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/earls-palace-birsay/
Location: Birsay, Orkney, KW17 2LT
Price: FREE, open all year around.
Guided Tours
If you want a more in-depth and personal experience/tour get in touch with Calum at Historic Orkney. He offers personalised tours and has a wealth of knowledge. Having grown up living and breathing the history of Orkney there is very little he doesn’t know.
https://www.historicorkney.com
Unable to See it for Yourself?
Don’t worry, I have you covered. I understand some people are unable to see some of these beautiful places due to various reasons. I don’t want you to miss out on these beauties. So luckily for you I have created a YouTube video which shows some of these sites from drone view. You can see the full picture and the magnitude of these sites and beautiful landscapes which surround them.
You can check out the video here:
Final Thoughts
All of these sites tell only part of the story which makes Orkney’s history so rich and interesting, especially that we still don’t know the full story behind some of these sites. These stories run deep to both its land and the people, who are very passionate about keeping this alive.
These five stops are just the beginning. In Part 2, I’ll take you through more of Orkney’s must-see historic sites, each with its own twist of mystery, beauty, and legend.
If you’ve visited any of these places already, I’d love to hear what you thought. Drop a comment or share your favourite Orkney memory below!