Orkney Mainland, Orkney Islands

Explore Mainland (Orkney Islands) Coast and Beaches

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 beaches at Mainland and 18 beaches in Orkney Islands. 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 Coast 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:

Ring-of-Brogdar

Ring of Brogdar

The Ring of Brodgar is a Neolithic henge and stone circle and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. The site is generally thought to have been erected between 2500 BC and 2000 BC. Most henges do not contain stone circles; Brodgar is a striking exception. The ring of stones stands on Read more…
Dingieshowe-beach

Dingieshowe Beach

Dingieshowe Beach is a south-facing sandy beach backed by sand dunes. This stretch of beach is located in the southeastern corner of mainland Orkney and is actually made up of two bays Dingieshowe Bay and Taracliff Bay. You also have on the other side of the road Sandi Sand beach that looks out into the shallow bay of St Peter’s Read more…
Things to see and do

Standing Stones of Stenness

The Standing Stones of Stenness is a Neolithic monument located on a promontory at the south bank of the stream that joins the southern ends of the sea loch Loch of Stenness and the freshwater Loch of Harray. The site is thought to date from at least 3000 BC. The Ring of Brodgar and Maeshowe cairn is just over 1 Read more…
Waulkmill-Bay-beach

Waulkmill Bay Beach

Waulkmill Bay is a remote beach within a tidal bay and Scottish Natural Heritage Site of Special Scientific Interest. The beach is located on the northern side of Scapa Flow. To the east of Waulkmill Bay is the RSPB Kirbister Preserve. Read more…
Pierowall-Lady-Kirk

Pierowall Lady Kirk

The Lady Kirk is one of two ruined churches on Westray, built in 1674, on the foundations of a 13th-century church. The church is mostly complete with the exception of the roof. The nave is rectangular, with a largely complete gable at its west end, topped off by a bellcote. A line of holes in the gable suggest there was Read more…
Things to see and do

Maes Howe

Maes Howe is a Neolithic chambered cairn and passage grave and is one of the largest on Orkney. The cairn gives its name to the Maeshowe type of chambered cairn, which is limited to Orkney. Maes Howe appears as a grassy mound near the south-east end of the Loch of Harray. The mound encasing the tomb is 115 feet (35 Read more…
History and heritage

Barony Mill

Barony Mill, also known as the Boardhouse Mill, is a 19th century water-powered mill still in operation located near Stringburn Twatt on the north of the Orkney mainland. Little has changed since Barony Mill first opened in 1873. The mill mainly grinds bere, an ancient form of barley. All grinding is done during the winter, and in the summer it 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…
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…
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…
Evie-Sands-beach

Evie Sands Beach

The Sands of Evie is a sandy beach within Aikerness Bay, protected by the Point of Hellia headland. The beach is a sheltered, shallow shelving sandy beach, which is large at low tide. When the tide comes in provides excellent shallow water to play in. The beach overlooks the small island of Eynhallow and Rousay across Eynhallow Sound. Small car Read more…
Bay-of-Skaill-beach

Bay of Skaill Beach

Bay of Skaill beach is a large remote sandy beach on the west coast of mainland Orkney. At one end of the beach, you have the Bay of Skaill that is close to the famous Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae. 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