Maes Howe (Orkney Islands)

Information
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 m) in diameter and rises to a height of 24 feet (7.3 m). Surrounding the mound is a ditch up to 45 feet (14 m) wide. The grass mound hides a complex of passages and chambers built of large carefully crafted slabs of flagstone. It is aligned so that the rear wall of its central chamber is illuminated on the winter solstice.
Maes Howe is within the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site.
7 Day Weather Forecast
Our weather forecast for Mainland in Orkney Islands is split into two widgets. The first shows a timeline containing temperature, wind, sunrise/sunset and chance of rain, whilst the second shows the forecast for the week ahead including severe weather alerts when available.
You may also like ...
In this 'you may also like' section we attempt to answer what else can I do? Here you have a list by order of being the closest some more beaches, things to see and do, places to eat and upcoming events.
- Maes Howe (Orkney Islands)
  0 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  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 m) in diameter and rises to a height of 24 feet (7.3 m). Surrounding the mound is a ditch up to 45 feet (14 m) wide. The grass mound hides a complex of passages and chambers built of large carefully crafted slabs of flagstone. It is aligned so that the rear wall of its central chamber is illuminated on the winter solstice. Maes Howe is within the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Piers Art Centre
  0.06 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  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 town of Stromness once housed the office and stores of the Hudson’s Bay Company.
- Standing Stones of Stenness
  0.22 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  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 km away suggesting that this area had particular importance. The stones were original elements of a stone circle of 12 stones, about 32 m (104 ft) diameter. The 5.6 m (18 ft) high Stenness Watch Stone stands outside the circle. The Standing Stones of Stenness is at the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Ring of Brogdar
  1.46 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  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 a small isthmus between the Lochs of Stenness and Harray. There are no obvious stones inside the circle, but since the interior of the circle has never been excavated by archaeologists, the possibility remains that structures may be present. The stone circle is the third largest in the British Isles at some 104 metres (341 ft) in diameter and set within a circular ditch. The ring originally comprised 60 stones, of which less than 30 remain standing. The tallest stones stand at the south and west of the ring.
- Stromness lifeboat station
  6.36 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Stromness lifeboat station was established in 1867 and operates an all weather lifeboat. Station only open by appointment.
- Warebeth Beach
  8.38 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  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 is also well known for finding fish fossils. You have car parking at the beach and some toilets exist on the headland by the cemetery.
- Skara Brae
  9.68 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  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 protection by the sand that covered the settlement the buildings, and their contents, are well-preserved. Not only can you see the walls of the structures but they are roofed with their original stone slabs, and the interior fittings of each house give a view of life was about. Skara Brae is within the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Bay of Skaill Beach
  9.74 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  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.
- Waulkmill Bay Beach
  9.78 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  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.
- Kirkwall lifeboat station
  14.14 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Kirkwall lifeboat station has an all weather lifeboat and has been operating since 1968. Kirkwall lifeboat station is open daily.
- Orkney Museum
  14.17 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
- St Magnus Cathedral
  14.25 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  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 being the most northerly cathedral in the British Isles and is a parish church of the Church of Scotland. Open all year round to the public.
View all
Where can I stay ...
Booking.com interactive map
Booking.com
What do others think ...
Leave a Review Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Review text
Select a rating
Name *
Email *
Website