Private Full Day Tour in Orkney

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Skara Brae, is one of the best-preserved Neolithic sites in Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to around 3100 BCE, Skara Brae provides a remarkable glimpse into the daily life of early humans during the Neolithic period, long before the construction of the Egyptian pyramids or Stonehenge. The site is often compared to a prehistoric version of a modern suburb, highlighting its significance in understanding human history and settlement patterns during the Stone Age.

   1.5 hAdmission included

2. Stones of Stenness, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, which also includes other ancient sites such as Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, and Maeshowe. The Standing Stones of Stenness date back to around 3000 BCE, making them older than Stonehenge in England.

   20 min

3. The Ring of Brodgar, is one of the most impressive and significant archaeological sites in Europe, dating back to the late Neolithic period, around 2500 BCE to 2000 BCE. This ancient monument is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, which also includes other major sites like Skara Brae and Maeshowe. The stones are large, some reaching up to 4 meters (13 feet) in height, and the circle measures approximately 104 meters (341 feet) in diameter, making it one of the largest stone circles in the British Isles.

   20 min

4. Unstan Tomb is a chambered cairn, a type of tomb constructed from large stones and covered with a mound of earth. Unstan Tomb is a prehistoric burial site located on the Orkney Islands, Scotland, and is part of the rich archaeological landscape that makes up the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tomb is located on the island of Stenness and dates to around 2500 BCE, during the late Neolithic period.

   30 min

5. Italian Chapel was originally built by Italian prisoners of war (POWs) during World War II. In 1942, approximately 1200 Italian POWs were brought to Orkney to work on the construction of the Churchill Barriers, a series of causeways built to protect the naval base at Scapa Flow from enemy attacks. The Italian prisoners, many of whom were skilled artisans, created the chapel using the materials available to them, such as scrap metal, wood, and concrete, as well as their own creativity and resourcefulness. The Italian Chapel is not only a piece of art but also a symbol of hope and resilience. During the war, the chapel provided the Italian POWs with a place of solace and spiritual refuge. Despite the harsh conditions of captivity, they poured their heart and soul into building the chapel

   20 minAdmission included

6. These dramatic cliffs offer some of the most breathtaking coastal views in the Orkney archipelago. The area is renowned for its geological features, including impressive rock formations and sea stacks that have been shaped by centuries of erosion. The cliffs are composed mainly of sandstone and are home to a variety of seabird species, making it a popular spot for birdwatching. Puffins, guillemots, and kittiwakes are often seen nesting along the cliffs in the summer months. The site offers a sense of wilderness and isolation, making it a must-see for visitors to Orkney who appreciate natural beauty and dramatic landscapes.

   30 min

7. The Brough of Birsay is a small tidal island located off the northern coast of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. This fascinating archaeological site is accessible by foot during low tide, via a causeway that links it to the mainland. The island is renowned for its rich history, having been a strategic location throughout various periods, particularly the Norse era. The Brough of Birsay has been inhabited for thousands of years, with evidence of both Pictish and Norse settlements. It was once a thriving centre of power for the Norse in Orkney, particularly during the Viking Age (around 8th to 12th centuries). The island is also known for its rich wildlife, including seabirds and seals, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and birdwatchers. The surrounding waters are home to various marine species.

   1 h

8. The Broch of Gurness is one of Orkney’s most impressive prehistoric sites — an Iron Age village built around a massive stone broch tower about 2,000 years ago. What makes it special is how complete and walkable it feels. Unlike some archaeological sites where you mainly look from paths, here visitors can move right through the settlement and explore the ruins closely. You’ll see: the central broch tower, once probably around 10 metres high. Defensive rock-cut ditches and ramparts remains of small stone houses clustered around the broch narrow passageways and a “main street” hearths, chambers, stairways, and stone-built interiors beautiful coastal views across Eynhallow Sound toward Rousay. The settlement dates roughly from 500–200 BC and is considered one of the best-preserved broch villages in Scotland. Archaeologists also found evidence of later Pictish and Viking use, including Norse burials. One reason people love visiting is the atmosphere and it feels remote.

   45 minAdmission included

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 11 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Kirkwall

• Its from-price is close to the median of the 11 day trips we list in Kirkwall.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 3 of 11.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Kirkwall

Kirkwall is the main town of Orkney, with a twelfth-century cathedral of red sandstone, ruined palaces, a working harbour and Neolithic sites close by.

Kirkwall is the capital of Orkney, on the largest island, the Mainland, facing a sheltered bay. Its centrepiece is St Magnus Cathedral, built of red and yellow sandstone and begun in 1137 by Earl Rognvald in honour of his uncle Magnus, with the ruined Bishop's and Earl's palaces beside it. Narrow flagstoned streets lined with grey stone shops run along the harbour, and the Orkney Museum occupies a sixteenth-century town house.

Top-ranked sights in Kirkwall: Ring of Brodgar, Italian Chapel, Scapa Flow.

See all 18 experiences in Kirkwall