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:

lifeboat

Kirkwall lifeboat station

Kirkwall lifeboat station has an all weather lifeboat and has been operating since 1968. Kirkwall lifeboat station is open daily. 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…
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…
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…
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…
Mine-Howe

Mine Howe

Mine Howe is a prehistoric subterranean man-made chamber dug 20 feet deep inside a large mound. It is not sure when it was built, some believe it to have been built roughly 2000 years ago during the Iron Age. Some researchers think that it could be as old as 5000 years, which would place it in the Neolithic period. There Read more…
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…
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…
lifeboat

Stromness lifeboat station

Stromness lifeboat station was established in 1867 and operates an all weather lifeboat. Station only open by appointment. 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…
Broch-of-Gurness

Broch of Gurness

The Broch of Gurness is an Iron Age broch village overlooking Eynhallow Sound. All that remains of the village is the 3.6 metres (11.8 ft) high central tower and the thick stone walls. The broch has the remains of a settlement surrounding and adjoining it. 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…
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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