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Historic places in Orkney

Orkney boasts over 5,000 years of history. Discover historic sites to visit on this special group of islands and islets.

Heart of Neolithic Orkney

The Heart of Neolithic Orkney is a collection of four ancient monuments built some 5,000 years ago!

Orkney Rangers

Across Orkney’s iconic archaeological sites, our Orkney Rangers help to reveal the history, ecology, and magic of these unique places.

Unstan Chambered Cairn

Explore a Neolithic round chambered cairn in Orkney, known for its ‘Unstan Ware’ pottery.

Knowe of Yarso Chambered Cairn

This ancient structure on the island of Rousay, Orkney, was used for communal burial some 5,000 years ago.

Broch of Gurness

Explore Broch of Gurness: an impressive Iron Age complex, and an icon of Orkney’s rich archaeological heritage.

St Magnus Church

St Magnus Church dates to around 1136, when the Bishop William of Orkney and the future earl Rognvald recognised Earl Magnus as a saint.

Pierowall Church (Ladykirk)

Wander the ancient graveyard of Ladykirk, set in an area occupied at least since the Norse occupation of Orkney.

Westside Church

Explore the remains of a remote Norse church in what was once a wealthy part of the Orkney Earldom.

Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn

Discover a 5,000-year-old Neolithic tomb in Orkney where bones of humans, dogs and oxen were found buried.

Hackness Battery and Martello Tower

Hackness Battery and Martello Tower are mighty coastal defences in Orkney that were built to protect merchant shipping interests during the Napoleonic Wars.

Cubbie Roo's Castle and St Mary's Chapel

The Orkneyinga Saga records that a Norwegian named Kolbein Hruga built "a fine stone castle" on the island of Wyre in 1145.

The Heart of Neolithic Orkney

Discover 5,000 years of history

Midhowe Broch

Visit a fortified Iron Age settlement dramatically positioned above the coast.

Noltland Castle

Count the gunholes dotting the exterior of this unique and imposing castle.

Grain Earth House

Climb down into an underground Iron Age chamber supported on stone pillars.