A tidal island, a causeway, a lighthouse, red cliffs and ruins…
Visiting the Brough of Birsay on Orkney is a great experience!
Below is my guide to help you plan your adventure with tips, map and photos.
Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Scotland:
My favorite platform to rent a car in Scotland: DiscoverCars
The unmissable boat tour: Seal spotting on Loch Linnhe from Fort William
My favorite excursion from Edinburgh: Glenfinnan and Glencoe
My favorite places to stay:
- Edinburgh: see best rated hotels – e.g. Balmoral Hotel
- Glencoe: see best rated hotels – e.g. The Glencoe House Hotel
- Portree: see best rated hotels – e.g. The Cuillin Hills Hotel
- Inverness: see best rated hotels – e.g. Kingsmills Hotel
Why visit the Brough of Birsay on Mainland Orkney?
The Brough of Birsay is a complete adventure.
The historical site is less impressive than the Broch of Gurness but its location on the tidal island makes it quite special.
It includes:
- a tidal island
- a fun walk
- old ruins
- a lighthouse
- birdlife (including puffins)
What could you want more?
The Brough of Birsay is a tidal island off the north west coast of Mainland Orkney.
Accessible only during low tide, you can see the remains of the settlements for 2 different cultures: the Picts and the Norse.
Plus you can enjoy beautiful, rugged coast and cliffs near the lighthouse.
About the name
The Brough of Birsay takes its name from the remains of a broch (Iron age drystone hollow-walled structure found only in Scotland).
The Norse name for the island was “Byrgisey”. It means “fort island”.
More photos after the planning tips.
PLANNING TIPS & Map – Brough of Birsay, Orkney, Scotland
How to get to the Brough of Birsay – Map & Location
- Located on the Northwest tip of Mainland Orkney, Scotland
- Carpark et the Point o’ Buckquoy
- Well indicated road where A967 meets A966 near the town of Birsay
- Stromness to Brough of Birsay = 25min drive
- Kirkwall to Brough of Birsay = 30min drive
- Below is a Map to help you locate the Brough of Birsay on Mainland Orkney
This site (with GPS coordinates) and many others are included in my Travel Guide eBook, that helps you plan your road trip:
Plan your dream trip in Scotland thanks to my guide
- 15 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 170+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 170+ original photos to help you choose
Visit Tips
- You can see the Brough of Birsay Island way before arriving, from the distance
- Access is via a causeway which appears only at low tide
- It is very windy, bring appropriate clothing
- There is no boat access
- Bring your binoculars, you might see puffins in May and June – see my article to help you choose your travel binoculars.
How long to visit?
- Plan 1 hour to walk there, explore the ruins and walk back
- The crossing is around 300m long (330 yards)
- But plan longer if you want to tour the island, see the lighthouse and the cliffs
- From the ruins to the lighthouse, it is around 500m (550 yards)
- I always recommend crossing at least 1h before low tide so that you have plenty of time to explore and come back
Brough of Birsay tides
- When can I start walking? 2h before low tide point
- When does it close? 2h after low tide point – you have to be back by then
- For Brough of Birsay tide times, check out the information at one of the visitor centers on the island (you can get them at the Skara Brae visitor center) – or have a look at an online tide table such as this one or this one whichever you find easier to read.
Where to stay on Mainland Orkney
Most Orkney accommodations are in the main towns. It is easy and quick to drive around:
- Stromness is small, close to the ferry and charming – Check out the accommodations in Stromness
- Kirkwall is bigger and more lively – Check out the accommodations in Kirkwall
- But you can also find accommodation more isolated in guesthouses and farms if you want a more peaceful experience – check out the best rated accommodations on the Orkney islands
The Birsay tidal island and Sound of Birsay
On a clear day, the road to the carpark offers you great views of the island and its lighthouse at the top.
At high tide, the islet is separated from mainland by the Sound of Birsay, a 240 meter (787ft) stretch of water.
The island has an area of 21 hectares and is uninhabited.
Geologists say that the island was attached to mainland before. Erosion has separated (and it is still so) the island.
They think it must have been before the arrival of the Picts.
In the photo below you can see the natural causeway between the carpark on mainland and the island:
Even if you don’t cross to the island, I recommend you drive to the carpark to enjoy the views.
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The Brough of Birsay causeway – Access
Below is a better view of the causeway to the island. It is taken from next to the carpark at the Point o’ Buckquoy.
At high tide it is completely covered by water.
At low tide, you can easily cross enjoying the sea pools that have formed on each side.
Wear good shoes as it can be slippery.
Broch at the Brough of Birsay – History and Ruins
The brough of Birsay was used as a strategic location by several cultures.
The Picts
It is thought that a settlement was established as early as the 5th century AD.
Then the Pict took over and made it into a stronghold in the 7th century.
It seems that skilled metalworkers used to live there.
A Pictish stone was found on the Brough. Today they have placed a replica for you to look at, in order to preserve the real one from the harsh elements.
Norse Church and Settlement
But most of what you see are ruins from the 9th century and later (800 to 1200 AD), when the Norse had taken over.
At the center are the remains of a Norse church and around the ruins of houses.
Birsay Lighthouse & cliffs
If you have time, the other side of the island has a beautiful coastline with cliffs and eroded shores.
The Lighthouse
You can walk to the lighthouse.
It stands 11m high (36ft) and 52m (171ft) above sea level.
It provides safe passage around the North West tip of Mainland Orkney.
It was designed and built in 1925.
It is quite an original lighthouse with white briks and towers like a castle.
It is operated automatically and monitored remotely. You cannot visit it.
Today, it is powered by solar power and wind turbines.
Birsay cliffs, puffins and birdlife
On this side you can admire the cliffs of the island, which are composed of red sandstone flagtstones.
Like on many uninhabited islands, birds love coming here.
Bring your binoculars to try and admire them – see my article to help you choose your travel binoculars.
Amongst others, you might see puffins especially in May and June.
Earl’s Palace Birsay
At the turn before you arrive at the Brough of Birsay carpark, you can find the ruins of a mansion.
This was the Earl’s Palace of Birsay, not to be mixed up with the Earl’s Palace Kirkwall (which is way more impressive).
This building is from the 16th century and used to be 2 storeys high.
Want to see more? Here are other amazing things to do in Orkney:
- The fascinating Ring of Brodgar – read article
- The impressive Standing Stones of Stenness – read article
- The pink St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall – read article
- The Earl’s and Bishop Palaces – read article
- The Broch of Gurness by the sea – read article
- The ancient village of Skara Brae – read article
- The beautiful Yesnaby Cliffs – read article
- Or enjoy my complete article about the best things to do in Orkney
Planning a trip to Scotland? Check out my travel guide to help you plan it:
Plan your dream trip in Scotland thanks to my guide
- 15 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 170+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 170+ original photos to help you choose
And keep track of your own trip!
Want to see more of SCOTLAND?
Discover more things to do & places to see in my Travel Scotland Destination Guide.
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How far is the walk from the mainland to the lighthouse and pict brough? Is two hours enough time to visit these sites? Thanks!
Hi
It is under 1km from the car park on mainland to the lighthouse
2 hours is enough to cross and visit the small island