The World Heritage site includes two very different stone circles, The Standing Stones of Stenness and The Ring of Brodgar; a chambered burial mound full of Viking runes from a later period, Maeshowe; a 5,000 year old village, Skara Brae, and a number of unexcavated mounds and sites.
If you go
- Pick your season carefully: In summer, when the sun barely sets, you should be able to fit in all the sites in a day. If you go in winter, when Orkney's Neolithic Heartland is at its most dramatic but the sun sets early, plan on a visit of at least two days.
- Employ a local guide: Orkney people take great pride in their ancient monuments and the best way to understand their awesome stories is to travel with a guide. John Grieve, our guide from Discover Orkney is a fount of fascinating information and amusing local stories. At only £45 per person per day, including transportation, he's a very good deal as well.
