Orkney Area Guide

Across the Orkney islands the sights and sounds of the surrounding environment come alive with wheeling birds, the lap of the sea, stunning seascapes and green fertile land. Set within this natural world is Orkney’s rich past spanning 5,000 years from the complex archaeological treasures of Skara Brae to the Churchill Barriers and Italian Chapel.

Use the Orkney area guide to find out more about each Orkney island and area, and also the sites of interest scattered across the isles.

Header image: The Brough of Birsay, a tidal island in Orkney photo © Copyright Charles Tait

East Mainland, Orkney

Including must-see sites The Gloup, Mull Head and Copinsay.

Eday, Orkney

Visit this island to see The Stone of Setter, Carrick House and Vinquoy Chambered Cairn.

Finstown, Orkney

A lovely village on the road from Stromness to Kirkwall.

Hoy and Flotta, Orkney

There is much to see on these dramatic, distinctive islands!

Kirkwall, Orkney

The capital of Orkney and home to St Magnus Cathedral and Highland Park Distillery.

North Ronaldsay

The most northerly Orkney island is enclosed by a dyke.

Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre

Three amazing islands packed with historic sights of interest.

Sanday, Orkney

An island characterised by vast sandy beaches. Attractions include Start Point Lighthouse.

Shapinsay, Orkney

Visit this island to see Balfour Castle and Mill Dam.

South Ronaldsay and Burray, Orkney

Islands joined to the mainland.

Stromness, Orkney

A picturesque waterfront town and port for MV Hamnavoe.

Stronsay, Orkney

Find out more about this island and the Vat of Kirbuster.

West Mainland, Orkney

Fascinating archaeological sites and lovely beaches to explore.

Westray and Papa Westray

Island sights include Noltland Castle and the Knap of Howar.

The Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces, Orkney

12th & 17th century buildings.

The Broch of Gurness

A circular stone tower and settlement from the Iron Age.

The Brough of Birsay

A tidal island situated off the north west Orkney Mainland.

The Churchill Barriers, Orkney

Built during the Second World War to protect Scapa Flow.

The Italian Chapel, Orkney

A beautiful chapel built from scrap by Italian POWs.

Maeshowe

The largest burial tomb on Orkney’s Mainland is 5,000 years old and has Viking runes.

Orkney Fossil and Heritage Centre, Burray

Devonian Period fossils.

Orphir Round Church

The Round Kirk was built by Earl Hakon Paulson in 1122 AD.

The Ring of Brodgar, Orkney

This Neolithic monument is a circle of 27 standing stones.

The Royal Oak

HMS Royal Oak was a British Royal Navy battleship sunk by a German U-boat in Scapa Flow.

Scapa Flow, Orkney

A 312 km² natural harbour famous for wartime history.

Skara Brae, Orkney

A perfectly preserved Neolithic village which is 5,000 years old!

The Standing Stones of Stenness

Four imposing standing stones.

St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney

A viking cathedral built in 1137.

The Tomb of the Eagles

A Neolithic burial tomb filled with sea eagle bones.