12+ Things to do in Orkney (Scotland) – Practical Guide (History + Nature!)

With more than 70 islands, the archipelago of the Orkney islands Scotland could deserve its own guide. The relaxing islands have a lot of points of Interest with history, landscapes and abundant birdlife. To help you plan your visit, I am sharing with you in photos the top things to do in Orkney, especially on Mainland orkney, plus a guide to help you plan your visit.

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Video: One Day on Mainland Orkney Scotland

Before I list all the things to do in Orkney Scotland, let's start with a short video of what a day on mainland Orkney can look like:

Inspiring isn't it? This is why the Orkney islands are on my Top 5 list of Scotland Destinations

Once in Orkney, better to have your own car to discover all the things to do in Orkney on mainland and in the neighboring islands.

Orkney Islands Map

And if you are wondering where Orkney is, it is just above the North East Coast of Scotland.

Below is a simple Orkney Islands Map to give you an idea of the locations of the isles compared to mainland Orkney. Just to get you oriented.

The GPS coordinates of all locations in this article as well as their identification on a practical map are available in my travel guide (that facilitates the planning of your trip):

Top Things to do in Orkney Scotland 

With so many Scottish islands to visit, your may be limited in time on the islands (e.g. if you take the ferry in the morning and go back with the evening one), I would recommend stopping at:

• ​Yesnaby cliffs
• Skara Brae
• Broch of Gurness and Aikerness Beach
• St Magnus Cathedral
• Standing Stones of Stenness
• Ring of Brodgar

Those were my favorite attractions of Mainland Orkney. You can find them and others below with pictures.

Located on the West coast, the Yesnaby cliffs is a walk along tortuous and eroded cliffs. One of the highlight is the Sea Stack called the Yesnaby Castle.

The walk is easy. Bring your binoculars to admire the many bird nesting in the vertical cliffs.

Discover more pictures and practical information to plan your visit on the Yesnaby Castle and Cliffs article.

Skara Brae was discovered under a sand dune after a windstorm in 1850. It is a settlement that was built and used 5000 years ago. With a great state of preservation, it gives a good idea of life during the Neolithic.

Learn more about this extraordinary site on the article dedicated to Skara Brae Orkney.

Right next to Skara Brae, you can visit the Skaill House: how a family home was in the 1950s and the tales related to the discovery of Skara Brae.

The Brough of Birsay is not as fascinating as other sites in Orkney. However its location and limited access during low tide makes it for an adventure.

Learn more about the tidal island and its access on the article dedicated to the Brough of Birsay.

Right next to the Broch of Gurness is Aikerness Beach, one of the longest stretch of sand on Mainland Orkney. If you want to relax for a while at the beach...

The Broch of Gurness was home to a thriving Iron-age community. The ruins are well preserved. There is also a small museum and great explanation.

Because of the combination of history and beautiful landscape, this site was one of my favorite things to do in Orkney Scotland.

Discover in photos and video this amazing site on my article dedicated to the Broch of Gurness.

Meashowe is considered one of the best-preserved chambered cairns. It survived from 5000 years ago, enabling us to discover its prehistoric design. 

It is one of the most recommended sites, one of the top things to do in Orkney Scotland. But access is limited and visit must be pre-booked.

Learn more in the article dedicated to the Maeshowe Chambered Cairn.

One of the earliest stone circles in Britain, the Standing Stones of Stenness Orkney are towering up to 5.7 meters. Even with only 4 remaining Stones, it is not difficult to imagine how significant the site must have been 5000 years ago.

Video, photos and practical information on my article about the Standing Stones of Stenness.

The Ring of Brodgar Orkney is a Neolithic stone circle located on small band of land between Loch Sternness and Loch Harray. It is part of a central area designated a Unesco World Heritage site which also includes the Standing Stones of Stenness.

It is definitively one of the top things to do in Orkney Scotland.

Video, Photos and practical information on my article about the Ring of Brodgar.

Things to do in Kirkwall, Scotland

Kirkwall is the main town on Mainland Orkney. Its Cathedral and palaces are worth a visit!

10. Earl's Palace Kirkwall

The Earl's Palace in Kirkwall was built around 1603. It was built by Patrick Stewart, the Earl of Orkney who wanted to create a magnificent complex. He was actually known to be ambitious, arrogant and irresponsible.

Discover more on the article dedicated to the Bishop and Earl's Palace Kirkwall.

11. Bishop Palace Kirkwall

The Bishop Palace was the residence of the medieval bishops of Orkney. It was built in the mid 1100s at the same time as the St Magnus Cathedral. The ruins are not as interesting at those of the Earl's palace but you can get up the tower for a great view of the cathedral.

Discover more on the article dedicated to the Bishop and Earl's Palace Kirkwall.

12. St Magnus Cathedral Kirkwall

The Kirkwall Cathedral is dedicated to St Magnus, an earl of Orkney who was murdered by his cousin. The cathedral was built in the mid 1100s and expanded twice. It is made of beautiful Yellow and Red sandstones.

Discover it in video and photos on the article dedicated to St Magnus Kirkwall Cathedral.

And also on the West side:

• Hole O'Rowe, a natural arch cliff near Skara Brae
• Restored fishermen's huts at Skiba Geo near the brough of Birsay
• Kirbuster museum - 19th century farmhouse 
• Unstan Cairn - chambered tomb between Stromness and Maeshowe
• Cuween chambered cairn 
• Happy Valley - near Stenness, garden and woodland walk
• Round Kirk, Circular medieval church

East Mainland Orkney is less famous. It is mostly low grassy farmland mostly enjoyed by birdwatchers and people interested in World War II. Things to do include:

• Loch of Tankerness, a great destination for bird watching
• Mill Sands: a shallow bay great for bird watching
• Saint Andrews War memorial - cross between East and West
• St Peter's Pool, a bay on the east side of mainland which played a strategic role during World War II - long flat area also great for bird watch
• Italian chapel: located on Lamb Holm, a small island between Mainland and South Ronaldsay - built by Italians during the Second world war
• Mull Head Nature reserve: coastal grassland with sea cliffs - great for walking and birdwatching - nearby is the sea cave called the Gloup
• Brough of Deerness: a large grass area, great sea cliff scenery
• Newark Beach: long stretch of white sand beach with a walk to Point of Ayre. Great for birdwatching
• Dingieshowe Beach: sandy beach forming an isthmus between mainland and the peninsula of Deerness

Mainland Orkney Accommodations

After visiting the high number of things to do in Orkney, you might want to rest 🙂

Most Orkney accommodations are in the main towns

• 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 all accommodations on the Orkney islands

Places to visit on the other Orkney Islands accessible by car

2 islands are connected by bridges:

Burray

First is the small island of Burray. Things to do include

• Northfields Broch - call the farm before visiting
• Orkney Fossil and heritage center - information about the geology of the Orkney islands and a large display of fossils
• The small island of Hunda joined to Burray by a barrier built during the war

South Ronaldsay

• The Churchill Barriers between islands - set as defenses during World War II
• The cairns broch from the iron age
• The picturesque village of St Margaret's Hope
• Boxa Head for military enthusiast - coastal walk with batteries
• Olad Brae viewpoint
• and many other military significant places

Things to do in the other Orkney Islands by ferry

There are many islands in the Orkney archipelago. The Orkney Ferries allow you to hop from one to the other.

Hoy

Hoy is one of the most famous islands in Orkney because of its impressive sea stack, the Old Man of Hoy (learn more on the Ferry to Orkney article)

Other things to do in Orkney Island Hoy include the Dwarfie Stone, a 5000 year rock cut tomb and the Martello Tower​

Old Man of Hoy from the ferry to Orkney

Rousay

Rousay is also a great place to visit with dramatic cliffs, bird colonies and over 150 archaeological sites - it is known as the 'Egypt of the North'

Westray and Papa Westray

Even more North are the islands of Westray and Papa Westray.  Highlights include Notland castle, Knap of Howar (farmstead predating the Pyramids), Viking house, heritage center, puffins, rural life

Sanday

For something slightly different, head to Sanday with its beautiful beaches, bays and dunes

And more...

And the many smaller / less visited scottish islands in the Orkney islands... Flotta, Shapinsay, Burray, Eday, Stronsay, Papa Stronsay, North Ronaldsay

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