Orkney
Places to visit
In Birsay
- Marwick Bay : head down to the sea to skim stones and explore rock pools
- Marwick Head and Kitchener’s Memorial : breathtaking views, bird colony
- The Brough of Birsay : a small island with remains of a Viking settlement, reached by a tidal causeway
- Ruins of Birsay Palace : free entry
- Birsay pools : deep natural rock pools, where the hardy can take a dip!
- Birsay Bay Tearooms : great views as you enjoy lunch or a cup of tea with cake
- Orkney Brewery : try some local ales and enjoy excellent food, five minutes away
Further away
- Ness of Brodgar : Briatin’s ‘ancient capital’, as seen on TV, 20 mins. drive
- Skara Brae : ruins of 5000 year old houses, 10 mins. drive
- Broch of Gurness : Iron age settlement by the sea, 30 mins. drive
- Ring of Brodgar : Neolithic stone circle, 20 mins. drive
- Standing Stones of Stenness : Neolithic stone circle, 20 mins. drive
- Barnhouse Settlement : Neolithic settlement, 20 mins. drive
- Maeshowe : Neolithic Chambered Cairn, 20 mins. drive
- Italian Chapel : ornate chapel built by Italian POWs in WWII, 45 mins. drive
- Tomb of the Eagles : Neolithic Chambered Cairn, 1 hour 10 mins. drive
- Stromness : restaurants, museum, art galleries, live music, craft shops
- Kirkwall : St Magnus Cathedral, Earl’s Palace, museum, cafes, restaurants, live music
- Other islands accessible by boat as day trips: Hoy, Rousay
Crafts
- Jewellers in Birsay
- The Harray Potter
- Art Galleries : Stromness
Annual Events
- Orkney Folk Festival
- St Magnus Festival
- Jazz Festival
- County Shows
- Science Festival
- The Ba