Do not miss the world-famous archeological site of Skara Brae Orkney!
This Neolithic settlement was found well preserved under a sand dune.
So it is a unique opportunity to see how people lived 5000 years ago!
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit including maps, tips and pictures.
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Why visit the Skara Brae archaeological site on Orkney?
Skara Brae is one of the most fascinating historical sites in Scotland, in my opinion.
Right by the beach, with typical views of the Orkney islands, you can walk around houses from the Neolithic times.
It gives you an idea of how people used to live 5000 years ago!
And they are in really good condition as they were protected by a sand dune.
Archaeological site of Skara Brae, Orkney
I enjoyed it so much, it made it on my list of the top things to do in Scotland.
And it is part of the Unesco World Heritage "Heart of Neolithic Orkney" with the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness and Maeshowe.
Details, map and photos after the planning tips.
PLANNING TIPS & Map - Skara Brae, Orkney, Scotland
How to get to Skara Brae on Orkney
- Located on the West Coast of Mainland Orkney
- Stromness to Skara Brae = 15min drive
- Kirkwall to Skara Brae = 30min drive
- You can see it on the Map below to help you get oriented
Map - Skara Brae location
The GPS coordinates and location on a practical map are available in my the Travel Guide eBook:
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Visit Tips
- Plan 30min to one hour depending on how much you like to read at the museum part
- Easy walk, well maintained paths
- Skara Brae Opening hours: April to September – 9:30am to 5:30pm (last entry 4:45pm) – 10am to 4pm in Winter
- Entree price - £9 for adults - it is included in the Orkney Explorer Pass
- See the latest prices and times, on the Orkney islands official website
- Tickets include entree to the Skaill House nearby
- Café and toilets at the visitor center
Easy walking paths
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
Skara Brae Village - Visitor Center, Access Map and artefacts
The Skara Brae Orkney site is composed of:
- the Visitor Center (1),
- the replica of a Skara Brae House (2) as it was 5000 years ago,
- the site of Skara Brae village (3)
- and the Skaill House (4)
Below is a map of Skara Brae Orkney:
Access to Skara Brae - Map
In the visitor center, your first go through an exhibition before getting access to the site. There you will learn more about:
- how the site was discovered in 1850 when a windstorm revealed it under a sand dune
- how people used to live 5000 years ago
- see artefacts and tools found on the site
Skara Brae Visitor Center
The Replica House
After the exhibition, you walk outside, and you can first enter the replica of one of the Skara Brae Houses. The site being 5000 years old, it is very fragile. This is why you cannot walk inside the houses but just look at them from above.
So, to allow the visitor to better understand the living set up and conditions during the Neolithic, the site has made a replica of House 7 and placed tools and 'furniture' inside. House 7 is the best preserved of the Skara Brae houses providing much information about the living conditions in the settlement.
The Timeline
After exiting the replica house, a well maintain path takes you towards the sea (at the Skaill Bay) and the Sakra Brae on Okrney site.
It is very well done as they have set up stones along the way to create a timeline with significant events in order to help the visitor realize how old the site is.
The Skara Brae houses date back to 3100 BC. Older than Stonehenge (2100BC) and older than the pyramid of Giza (2500 BC)!!!!!
Skara Brae Facts
Many signs provide information along your visit. Here are a few facts about Skara Brae on Orkney:
- It was discovered in 1850 when a windstorm revealed 4 houses and a rich collection of objects
- Skara Brae was built in 2 phases. Not much is known about the oldest one as it would require to dig under the latest houses
- The furniture was made from local flagstones which were easy to shape
- Each house has a stone or wooden slab to serve as a door and could be blocked from the inside
- The Skara Brae Houses typical plan was: rectangular dresser facing the entrance with prized objects, hearth in the center and box beds on the side
- Skara Brae is part of the Unesco Site 'Heart of Neolithic Orkney' with Maeshowe Chambered Cairn, the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness.
Here is a map of the Skara Brae Village:
map of the Skara Brae Village
The Skara Brae Houses
Now let me share some Skara Brae pictures of the houses right next to the beach.
They are really fascinating.
The paths allow you to walk around many of them, admiring from above:
The Skaill House
With your ticket you can also visit the Skaill house, considered one of the finest mansions in Orkney. It has been set up as a museum and you can see how people use to live in the 1950s.
I have not visited to save time for other sites such as the Broch of Gurness and the Ring of Brodgar.
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 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:
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