Orkney Mainland, Orkney Islands

Orkney Mainland is the largest island of Orkney and includes the UNESCO World Heritage Site, "The Heart of Neolithic Orkney". This site refers to a group of Neolithic monuments found on the Scottish Orkney Islands. The structures were built during the period 3000 BC to 2000 BC with archaeological evidence suggesting that they were important social and religious centres.

The designated area consists of four sites, which are spread out over two locations about 6.6km apart on the island of Mainland.


Why not check beaches nearby as we have 5 Mainland beaches and 18 Orkney Islands beaches. You can even take a look at our list of Orkney Islands dog friendly beaches or even our United Kingdom Blue Flag beach list.

Mainland Orkney Islands Map

Mainland Orkney Islands Coast Search Bar

Where would you like to go? Use our search bar to search across all our local listings, ideal for finding that nearest spot to visit:

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Want some ideas on where to visit?

Every favourite location must be visited for the first time. Want some ideas, why not check out the below small selection of coastal locations, including beaches, activities, things to see and do, places to stay and eat:

Things to see and do

Stone o Quoybune

The Stone o’ Quoybune is solitary standing stone of prehistoric origin in Birsay in Orkney. The stone stands at nearly 4m high and is one of the Orcadian standing stones associated with the folklore of the ‘petrified giant’. The myth says that each New Year, the Stone o’ Quoybune goes down to the nearby Boardhouse Loch and takes a drink. Read more…
History and heritage

Earls Palace

Earl’s Palace is a ruined palace close to St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Orkney. Described as a fine example of French Renaissance architecture in Scotland, the palace was built by Patrick Stewart, the 2nd Earl of Orkney, in the early 1600s after he decided that the Bishop’s Palace accommodation wasn’t adequate for his needs. The palace fell into ruin in Read more…
Brough-of-Birsay

Brough of Birsay

The Brough of Birsay is a small 21-hectare uninhabited tidal island off the north-west coast of The Mainland of Orkney. The Island has Celtic and Norse remains and is well known for the breeding colony of Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) and Guillemot (Uria aalge) The island is accessible on foot at low tide via a 240 metre long causeway over the Read more…
Things to see and do

Knowe of Queen o Howe

The Knowe of Queen o’Howe is a turf-covered, artificial mound which probably contains a broch tower. Located in the north of the island of Westray in Orkney, it is mostly made of large stones with a circular hollow on the top, used for burning kelp. The name is derived from Old Norse meaning ‘enclosure’ and ‘mound’. Excavations nearby have uncovered Read more…
Things to see and do

Piers Art Centre

The Pier Arts Centre was established in 1979 to provide a home for an important collection of British fine art donated by the author, peace activist and philanthropist Margaret Gardiner. Alongside the permanent collection the Centre curates a year round programme of changing exhibitions and events. The arts centre is within original listed buildings and pier that characterise the historic Read more…
lifeboat

Stromness lifeboat station

Stromness lifeboat station was established in 1867 and operates an all weather lifeboat. Station only open by appointment. Read more…
St-Magnus-Cathedral

St Magnus Cathedral

St Magnus Cathedral is situated in the town of Kirkwall, the main town of the Orkney Islands. This magnificent cathedral, a fine example of Romanesque architecture, dominates the skyline of the town. Founded in 1137 by the Viking, Earl Rognvald, the cathedral was added to over the following 300 years and even has its own dungeon! It is known for Read more…
History and heritage

Bishops Palace

At the same time as St Magnus Cathedral was being constructed, the Bishop’s Palace was built nearby for William the Old, with a large rectangular hall above vaulted storerooms. The palace fell into ruins, but after 1540 was restored by Bishop Robert Reid who added a round tower, the “Moosie Toor”. He presided at St. Magnus from 1541 to 1558. Read more…
Churchill-Barriers-Orkney

Churchill Barriers

The Churchill Barriers are a series of four causeways in the Orkney Islands with a total length of 1.5 miles (2.3 km). They link the Orkney Mainland in the north to the island of South Ronaldsay via Burray and the two smaller islands of Lamb Holm and Glimps Holm. The barriers were built in the 1940s primarily as naval defences Read more…
Marwick-Head

Marwick Head

Marwick Head is a Nature Reserve run by the RSPB located 4 miles north of Skara Brae on the western side of the Orkney mainland. Facing the Atlantic Ocean, the Marwick Head sandstone cliffs are home to thousands of nesting seabirds including kittiwakes, puffins, guillemots, razorbills and fulmars. In Marwick Bay, you can also see many wading birds and ducks, Read more…
Skara-Brae

Skara Brae

Skara Brae is a large Neolithic settlement, located on the Bay of Skaill. The settlement consists of ten clustered houses, dated from the late Neolithic and inhabited for around 600 years, between 3200BC and 2200BC. The settlement is one of Europe’s most complete Neolithic village and has been called the “Scottish Pompeii” because of its excellent preservation. Because of this Read more…
Warebeth-beach

Warebeth Beach

Warebeth beach is located on the western side of mainland Orkney with the beach being named after the large amount of seaweed or “ware” that can be found washed up, which during the 18th and 19th centuries harvesting this seaweed was big business for the locals. Warebeth beach is a large curving sandy beach with stone slabs and the beach Read more…
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Some more seaside locations in Orkney Islands

Hoy Island Lamb Holm Mainland North Ronaldsay Papa Westray Rousay Sanday Shapinsay South Ronaldsay Stronsay Westray Wyre