Skara Brae
The best preserved stone age village in Europe: an extraordinary insight into life 5000 years ago.
South of Birsay, eight miles north of Stromness, in the magnificent setting of the dazzling white sands of the Bay of Skaill, is Skara Brae, the best-preserved Stone Age village in northern Europe. First revealed in 1850 after a violent storm blew away the dunes, the site dates from around 5,000 years ago and was occupied for about 600 years.
The houses contain stone furniture, fireplaces, drains, beds, dressers and even have damp-proof coursing in the foundations. The whole complex presents a unique picture of the lifestyle of its inhabitants, and there's also a replica 'house' that you can enter, and wander around in through the gloom, empathizing with that 3000 BC lifestyle. The swish, modern visitor centre has a useful introductory video and exhibition which is definitely worth seeing before you look round the site (and it's also worth buying their guidebook). After leaving the visitor centre, you walk down a 'path of time', which takes you back through landmark achievements of the last seven millennia, gradually building up the suspense and putting the achievements of Skara Brae in perspective - they may only be rudimentary buildings that once had turf for their rooves, but they were built 2000 years before the pyramids of Egypt, and in one of the world's most northerly outposts.
During the summer a ticket to Skara Brae includes admission to nearby Skaill House, an early 17th-century mansion which contains a few old artefacts, including Captain Cook's dinner service from the Resolution, but is a bit of a let-down after what you will have just witnessed, not 300 yards away at Skara Brae.
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Barnhouse Settlement
ONly discovered in 1984, this is another fascinating neolithic monument that makes this area absolutely remarkable. 15 houses that date back to 3000BC. Walk from the Standing Stones of Stenness.
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Maeshowe or Maes Howe
Maeshowe is a Neolithic chambered cairn and passage grave situated on Mainland. It was probably built in around 2800 BC. It gives its name to the Maeshowe type of chambered cairn, which is only found in Orkney.
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Standing Stones of Stenness & Ring of Brodgar
Two Henges (or sets of standing stones) in walking distance of each. Catch them at sunset or early evening when you will virtually have them to yourself. Amazing and so much more exciting than Stonehenge!
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Ness of Brodgar
The most recent Neolithic site in the area and to some accounts the most important. Dates back to 3500BC and was occupied for 1500 years. In the summer months, archeologists are hard at work.
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Buxa Farm Chalets & Croft sleeps 4
3 Norwegian style semi-detached chalets & recently renovated croft house on the A964 between Houton Stromness in Orphir. Waterfront property on 20 acres of land with stunning panoramic views of Hoy.
- Sleeps: 4
Skara Brae Cottages and Holiday SelfCatering
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Lower Midgarth, Orkney Isles - Sleeps 7
Croft on Mainland, Orkney in 2.5 acres of ground with panoramic views. Sleeps 7 -
Harbour View, Stromness, sleeps 4
Lying in the heart of a bustling ferry and fishing harbour, this comfortable first floor holiday apartment was originally a warehouse, constructed in the 1760s. Steeped in history, it boasts fascinating vi...