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Over 20 of our staffed sites have now reopened and we are delighted to welcome you back. Booking in advance is recommended to guarantee entry. Find out more and book now

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Getting here

Skara Brae
Sandwick
Orkney
KW16 3LR

National Grid reference: HY 231 188

Please be aware we're currently experiencing some technical difficulties with our telephone lines at Skara Brae. You can email skarabrae.vo@hes.scot with any questions.

View Skara Brae on a Google map

Journey planners

Search for National Cycle Network routes on the Sustrans website.

Plan your journey by public transport using Traveline Scotland.

Let us know if you spot one of our sites in the wrong location. You can email web@hes.scot.

Historic Scotland

Opening times

1 Apr to 30 Sept:
Daily, 10am to 5pm

1 Oct to 24 Dec:
Daily, 10am to 4pm

29 to 31 Dec: 
Daily, 10am to 4pm

5 Jan to 31 Mar: 
Daily, 10am to 4pm

Check for unexpected closures

Facilities

Daffodils along a stone wall leading to the ruins of Earl

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Earl's Palace, Birsay
Remains of a Norse building at the Brough of Birsay.

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Brough of Birsay
A grassy cairn with an open entrance, surrounded by a fence

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Unstan Chambered Cairn
Seven tall standing stones, part of the Ring of Brodgar

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Ring of Brodgar Stone Circle and Henge
Four of the standing stones at Stenness in the evening

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Stones of Stenness Circle and Henge
General view of the interior of the Maeshowe Visitor Centre

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Maeshowe Chambered Cairn
A small grass-covered house built over a small stream

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Click Mill
A very large block of sandstone into which a Neolithic burial chamber has been cut

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Dwarfie Stane
The well preserved Midhowe Broch next to a beach and the sea

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Midhowe Broch
A general view of the Broch of Gurness and Eynhallow Sound.

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Broch of Gurness
The interior of Rennibister earth house. The stone ceiling is held up by a wooden beam.

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Rennibister Earth House
A view of the inside of an earth house

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Grain Earth House
A general view of the Links of Noltland archaeological site.

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Links of Noltland
Small stone houses by the sea

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Knap of Howar
The remaining walls of the broch form a half circle and are about three metres high.

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Carn Liath Broch
A picturesque Highland landscape with a ruined broch beside a stream

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Dun Dornaigil Broch

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More than 20 of our sites are now open. Please book your tickets in advance.

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