Maeshowe Chambered Cairn

Access to Maeshowe Chambered Cairn is by guided tour only. Tours start and finish at the visitor centre at Stenness. Due to limited capacity, it is strongly recommended to reserve your tour online to guarantee entry.

You will be taken by shuttle bus to the cairn. After a 400m walk, you'll cross the perimeter ditch then make your way along the low entrance passageway. There is no wheelchair access across the ditch or along the passageway. Filming and photography are not permitted inside the cairn. 

For around 6 weeks in the winter (roughly from the end of November through to the middle of January, weather dependent) the setting sun aligns with the central chamber of the cairn. Visitors wishing to see the setting sun should book for the 2pm tour.

The visitor centre and shop is at Stennness, on mainland Orkney. Visits to the cairn are by guided tour only. Tours start at the visitor centre.

View Maeshowe Visitor Centre on Google maps

Journey Planners

Search for National Cycle Network routes with the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust.

Plan your journey by public transport using Traveline Scotland.

Carers' tickets

Visitors with disabilities are charged standard admission rates (adult/concession/child). Proof of disability is not required. Up to two accompanying carers receive free entry per transaction.

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas.

Parking

Parking is available at Maeshowe Visitor Centre at Stenness, which has accessible bays and is level tarmac.

No coach parking is available at the Visitor Centre or nearby lay-by for coaches larger than 14 seats. Please drop off and pick up visitors.

Approach to the site

A shuttle bus transports visitors on a five minute journey to Maeshowe. The bus can accommodate a wheelchair. Please contact the site about this service as bus facilities may vary.

Please note there is no wheelchair access to Maeshowe itself. Access to the cairn is via a low and long passageway.

The cairn is reached across a busy main road from the coach stop. The route to Maeshowe goes through two metal latch gates and 400m along a path surfaced with gravel, stone and uneven grass, to another metal gate. It is on a slight downward slope. 

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.

Ear Defenders

A limited number of adult and children’s ear defenders are available at this site. Please ask a member of staff if you want to borrow them.

What to expect at the site

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 passage is unsuitable for wheelchairs. 

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. 

• Accessible by public transport
• Accessible toilets
• Bicycle rack
• Car parking
• No dogs except assistance dogs
• Guided or audio tours available
• Picnic area
• Self-service tea/coffee
• Shop
• Toilets
• Visitor centre
• Water bottle refill
• Baby changing facilities