Orkney Rangers

Our Orkney Ranger Service plays a vital role in helping people connect with one of Scotland’s most remarkable historic landscapes. Working across Orkney’s internationally important sites, the Rangers bring the deep past of these fascinating islands to life.

Throughout the year, the team leads guided walks and informal tours that explore Orkney’s extraordinary archaeology, landscapes, and stories. Whether you’re standing among the great stones of Brodgar, visiting Maeshowe, or exploring a lesser‑known site, our Rangers help visitors understand not just what they are seeing, but why it matters. Their knowledgeable, friendly approach makes complex history accessible and engaging for people of all ages.

Working behind the scenes to protect these fragile places, Orkney’s Rangers help manage archaeological sites and their surrounding landscapes. They monitor visitor impacts, support conservation work, and promote responsible access to ensure these remarkable monuments are safeguarded for future generations.

The Orkney Ranger Service is also there to support visitors day to day – answering questions, offering guidance, and helping everyone enjoy the islands safely and respectfully. Say hello if you meet them along the way.

Our Orkney Ranger Service is supported by Scottish Natural Heritage and Orkney Islands Council, working together to care for this remarkable place.

The landscape surrounding the World Heritage Site monuments is alive with wildlife. Skylarks sing above the Ring of Brodgar, otters can be spotted in the nearby Harray and Stenness lochs, and in winter these protected waters welcome thousands of migrating wildfowl. This is a living, breathing landscape with deep cultural roots.

The land around the Ring of Brodgar is managed by the RSPB as a nature reserve and is home to a wonderful variety of wildflowers, insects and birds, making it a rewarding place to explore throughout the year.

A walk from the Ring of Brodgar to the Stones of Stenness and back takes around 60 minutes. If you’d like to include the RSPB Brodgar nature reserve, allow about 45 minutes for a circular walk. You may wish to build in extra time to linger and enjoy the monuments along the way.

Grassy paths lead to the Ring of Brodgar and around the nature reserve. These paths include gentle slopes and can become muddy or slippery in wet weather. There are two disabled parking bays on the west side of the road at the Ring of Brodgar. A gate is located at the north entrance, with no additional gates or stiles along the reserve circuit.