Rennibister Earth House
Near Kirkwall, mainland Orkney
Open all year round
Rennibister Earth House hero image gallery
Venture underground into one of Scotland’s most mysterious souterrains.
Rennibister Earth House is a good example of an Orkney souterrain – a stone-lined underground passage, with a small chamber in the earth. When it was discovered in 1926, a mass of human bones were found on the floor belonging to about 18 individuals.
We don’t know how the remains of the six adults and 12 or so children came to be here. This is the only earth house where human remains have been found, though they seem to have been placed here during a later phase of use.
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Membership
Ideal for regular visitors and heritage supporters
Unlimited annual pass for all ticketed sites plus daytime events
- Unlimited annual pass for all ticketed sites plus daytime events
- Discount in our shops and cafés (on site and online)
- Historic Scotland magazine delivered to your door
- Free or discounted entry to sites in England, Wales and the Isle of Man
Explorer Pass
Perfect for short-term trips and sightseeing
Valid for 14 consecutive days
- Valid for 14 consecutive days
- Entry to all ticketed sites, including Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Urquhart Castle
- 20% discount on audio guides at Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Glasgow Cathedral
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