Skara Brae
Buy tickets for Skara Brae
Skara Brae ticket options
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Standard entry
Explore Skara Brae at a specific date and time, with options for family and carer tickets.
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Member tickets
Historic Scotland members get free, unlimited entry to all our sites
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Explorer Pass tickets
Explorer Pass holders can book their visit here
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Family tickets
Choose the family ticket that works best for you
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Young Scot Card holders
Young Scot card holders can visit our sites for just £1
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Partner organisations
Members of our partner organisations receive free or discounted entry
Skara Brae gallery
Long before Stonehenge or even the Egyptian pyramids were built, Skara Brae was a thriving village. Step back 5,000 years in time to explore the best-preserved Neolithic settlement in Western Europe.
First uncovered by a storm in 1850, Skara Brae remains a place of discovery today. Visit a replica Neolithic house to see how its full interior might have looked. Then follow the path that overlooks the ancient buildings, imagining what life was like for the farmers, hunters and fishermen who lived here. The prehistoric houses still contain stone ‘dressers’ and box-beds.
Skara Brae is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.
At Skara Brae, you can wander through an extraordinary prehistoric village, the best‑preserved group of ancient houses in Western Europe! Explore nine surviving Neolithic dwellings, all but one visible from the path. Along the way, you’ll see original stone ‘fitted’ furniture crafted 5,000 years ago, and discover artefacts such as gaming dice, tools and jewellery in the visitor centre.
The surrounding landscape is alive with local birdlife and wildflowers, and nearby stands Skaill House, a striking 17th‑century mansion.
Discover more with our Orkney Digital Guide
Ready for an adventure?
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
- Guaranteed entry when you pre-book online