Access

Tour Reservations and Tickets

Access to Maeshowe is by guided tour only.

You can buy tickets for the Maeshowe guided tour at Stenness visitor centre on the day of your tour, where you will then be transported to the site by coach.

Due to limited capacity and the popularity of this site, we would advise advance bookings to avoid disappointment.

Tour reservations and tickets

Following your booking, full payment can be made at Stenness visitor centre on the day of your tour. Please be advised that we only accept cash payments on-site currently.

Tours will depart from the new Maeshowe Visitor Centre at Stenness. Parking is only available at Stenness visitor centre – there is no parking at Maeshowe. Your ticket includes the coach transfer to and from Maeshowe.

Parking

Tormiston Mill car park (and visitor centre) is closed to the public. Visitors must park at Stenness Visitor Centre, which has accessible bays and is level tarmac.

Visitor Centre

Due to safety concerns the Tormiston Mill visitor centre (and car park) is closed to the public.

Approach to site

The site is across a busy main road from the coach stop. The route to Maeshowe goes through two metal latch gates and then 400m along a path (gravel, stone and uneven grass) to another metal gate.

The route carries on down a slight incline. The final approach to the entrance gate is up a grassy slope (1:5 gradient) over a set of stone ridges.

Monument

Maeshowe has a small threshold and its entrance is low (119cm) and narrow (70cm). The entrance passage is 10m long, with a flagstone floor.

The main chamber has a gravel surface, and a metal barrier protects the walls. Electric lighting and torches are provided.

A Historic Scotland steward guides all tours. Wheelchair access is not permitted inside Maeshowe.

Surroundings

Maeshowe is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site and is surrounded by unspoilt farmland. Cattle, sheep and wildlife can all be seen in this rural setting.

Also visible from the site are the: