Best Attractions near Mainland

Discover the Rennibister Earth House, a prehistoric marvel nestled in the Orkney Islands, embodying ancient heritage and natural beauty.

Explore a unique 5,000-year-old Neolithic burial cairn blending ancient architectural styles and famed for its distinctive pottery in Orkney.

Explore Wideford Hill Cairn, a majestic 5,000-year-old Neolithic tomb in Orkney, blending ancient architecture with celestial mysteries and stunning views.

A quiet Orkney hilltop with sweeping views over Kirkwall, the Bay of Firth, and the surrounding countryside, perfect for panoramic photos and peaceful reflection.

Discover Orkney’s tranquil moorland sanctuary where majestic birds of prey soar above heather and historic hides invite peaceful wildlife watching.

Discover Waulkmill Bay, Orkney’s peaceful golden beach with stunning Scapa Flow views and a hidden coastal charm perfect for picnics and nature lovers.

Explore Orkney’s Viking saga through immersive exhibits and historic ruins in the tranquil village of Orphir.

Explore the unique 12th-century Norse estate with Scotland’s only medieval round church, steeped in Viking saga and history.

Immerse yourself in Orkney’s rich oral heritage through storytelling, guided walks, and cultural workshops at this unique visitor centre.

Experience Orkney’s rich maritime legends and island folklore around the peat fire in a unique cultural storytelling centre near Stromness.

Discover unique handcrafted treasures and authentic Orkney artistry at Castaway Crafts, nestled in the cozy charm of Rose Cottage, Dounby.

Historic Stromness Harbour: a sheltered maritime gateway blending rich heritage with vibrant coastal charm in Orkney.

Discover the legacy of Orcadian Arctic explorer Dr John Rae at his commemorative statue in the historic harbor town of Stromness.

Discover a nationally significant collection of 20th century British art in Stromness’s award-winning Pier Arts Centre with free admission and inspiring exhibitions.

Explore Orkney’s maritime past and natural wonders at Stromness Museum, a captivating cultural gem on the waterfront.

Explore Hoy High Lighthouse, a historic gem in Orkney, where maritime history meets stunning coastal views and natural beauty.

Discover the enchanting Grain Earth House, a historical landmark in Kirkwall, Orkney, showcasing ancient architecture and rich cultural heritage.

Explore Ness Battery, a preserved World War coastal defense site in Stromness, revealing Orkney’s vital naval history and wartime stories.

Discover Orkney’s hand-crafted spirits and rich heritage at Kirkwall’s vibrant distillery and visitor centre on the historic harbour front.

Explore a century of wireless communication and wartime heritage in Orkney’s volunteer-run museum with interactive exhibits and rare memorabilia.

Explore Orkney’s rich history in the stunning 16th-century Tankerness House, home to the internationally significant Orkney Museum.

Discover Orkney’s story from ancient times to today in the historic Tankerness House, home to nationally significant archaeology and vibrant cultural exhibits.

Discover the tranquil beauty and rich maritime history of Scapa Beach, a scenic coastal gem near Kirkwall in Orkney.

Explore Scotland’s oldest cathedral, a stunning medieval masterpiece and spiritual heart of Orkney, rich with Norse history and vibrant cultural life.

A cozy vegan café and art gallery in Kirkwall blending plant-based delights with local creativity and friendly charm.

Explore Kirkwall’s medieval and Renaissance palaces where Norse kings and notorious earls shaped Orkney’s history.

Explore the historic heart of Kirkwall where Orkney’s rich Norse heritage and vibrant local culture come alive.

Explore Rendall Doocot, Orkney’s rare 17th-century beehive dovecote, a unique symbol of historic rural life and architectural ingenuity.

Explore the northernmost Scotch whisky distillery, blending Viking heritage and Orkney’s unique peat smoke into world-renowned single malts.

Experience Orkney’s captivating birds of prey up close in a family-run falconry set within historic grounds near Skara Brae.

Explore Skaill House, Orkney’s finest 17th-century mansion, steeped in history and linked to the ancient Neolithic village of Skara Brae.

Explore one of Europe’s oldest and best-preserved Neolithic villages with a modern visitor centre and rich archaeological insights on Orkney’s stunning coast.

Explore the dramatic Borwick Castle Sea Stack and ancient Iron Age broch perched on Orkney’s rugged, windswept coastline.

Dramatic 115-foot sandstone sea stack with a natural arch, set amid wild cliffs and crashing Atlantic waves on Orkney’s west coast.

Discover the atmospheric Broch of Borwick, a rugged Iron Age relic perched on Orkney’s wild west coast cliffs.

Dramatic sandstone cliffs, ancient fossils, and the iconic two-legged sea stack create a captivating coastal experience on Orkney’s wild west shore.

A haunting cluster of wartime wrecks resting in the clear waters off Stromness, offering divers a powerful encounter with Orkney’s naval past.

Step back 5,000 years at Skara Brae, Europe’s best-preserved Neolithic village with stone houses, ancient furniture, and immersive exhibitions.

Explore the rugged cliffs and ancient fossil-rich sandstone of Yesnaby Coastal Walk near Stromness, a dramatic and scenic Orkney hiking experience.

Explore Bay of Skaill’s sweeping sands and ancient shores, home to the remarkable Neolithic village of Skara Brae and dramatic Atlantic vistas.

Explore HMS TERN in Twatt, Orkney—a historical landmark offering insights into naval aviation and the region's wartime heritage amidst stunning natural beauty.

Discover the wild beauty and rich birdlife of Orkney’s windswept Birsay Moors nature reserve.

Step back in time at Kirbuster Farm Museum, Northern Europe’s last un-restored firehoose, where Orkney’s rural heritage lives on.

Explore rugged cliffs, vibrant seabird colonies, and wild moorland at RSPB Scotland Hoy Nature Reserve, a sanctuary of natural beauty and wildlife.

Explore one of Scotland’s finest Iron Age brochs and village ruins set against the stunning coastal landscape of Orkney.

Explore the only Neolithic rock-cut tomb in Orkney, where ancient craftsmanship meets legend in a remote, atmospheric valley on Hoy.

Experience Orkney’s dramatic cliffs, vibrant seabird colonies, and poignant history at RSPB Scotland Marwick Head Nature Reserve.

Explore the ancient long-horned chambered cairn of Knowe of Lairo on Rousay, a Neolithic marvel overlooking Eynhallow Sound in Orkney.

Dramatic cliffs, vast seabird colonies, and a poignant WWI memorial converge at Orkney’s breathtaking Marwick Head.

Step back over 5,000 years at Knowe of Yarso, a Neolithic chambered cairn on Rousay, revealing ancient communal burials and prehistoric Orkney life.

Explore the rare double-level Neolithic burial cairn on Rousay, Orkney, revealing ancient mysteries from over 4,000 years ago.

Explore the windswept ruins of a 16th-century earl’s palace on Orkney’s northern coast, where Renaissance ambition met ruthless rule and dramatic coastal scenery.

Handcrafted Orkney jewellery in a restored church, where ancient enamelling techniques meet contemporary design.

Explore Longaglebe Geo, Orkney’s longest dramatic coastal cleft, where rugged cliffs meet seabird colonies in a wild, windswept landscape.

Explore the largest Neolithic chambered cairn on Rousay, Orkney, a remarkable ancient tomb sheltered by a modern structure and rich in prehistoric history.

Explore Midhowe Broch, a striking Iron Age tower on Orkney’s coast, where ancient stonework and history meet dramatic seascapes.

Explore the historic Quern of Whisber in Orkney, a serene site blending ancient heritage and breathtaking landscapes.

Explore Orkney’s naval heritage at Scapa Flow Museum, where history and interactive exhibits bring two World Wars to life in the heart of Hoy.

Step back 5,000 years into one of Europe’s best-preserved Neolithic villages nestled on Orkney’s rugged coastline.

Discover the dramatic sea-carved arch of Hole of the Horses on Rousay, a stunning natural landmark overlooking Orkney’s wild North Atlantic coast.

Explore a tidal island rich with Pictish symbols, Viking ruins, medieval churches, and vibrant seabird colonies including puffins.

Historic Stromness: Orkney’s charming seaport where maritime heritage meets vibrant culture and stunning coastal landscapes.

A stunning WWII chapel on Lamb Holm, crafted by Italian POWs, symbolizing faith, artistry, and resilience amid adversity.

Historic WWII causeway built by Italian POWs, linking Orkney islands with stunning coastal views and rich heritage.

Discover the authentic 18th-century Orcadian croft life at Cra'as Nest Museum, perched above scenic Rackwick Bay on Hoy Island.

Remote and scenic Rackwick Beach on Hoy offers dramatic cliffs, rich wildlife, and access to Orkney’s iconic Old Man of Hoy sea stack.

Soaring 450 feet above the Atlantic, the Old Man of Hoy is a breathtaking sea stack and iconic Orkney landmark beloved by climbers and nature enthusiasts.

Explore Orkney’s ancient fossils, wartime history, and island heritage at this engaging centre on Burray.

Explore Orkney’s historic Napoleonic coastal defences at Hackness Martello Tower and Battery, a rare and well-preserved military site overlooking Scapa Flow.

Discover the peaceful Burn of Sutherland, a pristine Highland stream nestled in Orkney’s wild and historic landscape.

Explore Burroughston Broch, an ancient Iron Age landmark on Shapinsay Island, Orkney, where history and natural beauty intertwine.

Experience Orkney’s rugged coastal beauty and tranquil wildlife on the easy, scenic Roseness Walk near Cornquoy.

A striking Viking-themed carved wooden pole on Burray’s beach, celebrating Orkney’s Norse heritage through local artistry.

Discover The Gloup, Orkney’s breathtaking collapsed sea cave within Mull Head Nature Reserve, where wild seas meet ancient history and scenic coastal trails.

A magical mixed woodland sanctuary in Orkney, blending rare trees, wildlife, and tranquil streams in a unique northern landscape.

Explore Westray’s ancient heritage, from Neolithic carvings to Viking tales, at the heart of Pierowall village.

Explore Noltland Castle, a dramatic 16th-century artillery fortress and noble tower set against the wild coastal beauty of Orkney’s Westray island.

Scotland’s northernmost lighthouse atop dramatic cliffs, offering wild coastal views, rich wildlife, and historic maritime heritage.

Explore Quoygrew, a Viking Age settlement on Westray revealing centuries of Norse life, fishing heritage, and medieval archaeology in Orkney.

Explore the northernmost Scottish castle restored by the Queen Mother, with stunning gardens and panoramic coastal views.

Historic octagonal landmark and souvenir shop marking Scotland’s northern gateway at John o' Groats.

Cozy harbour-side fish and chips eatery at Scotland’s northern tip, famed for fresh seafood and warm hospitality.

Discover the wild beauty and tranquil shores of the Bay of Sannick, a serene coastal escape near iconic John o' Groats in Scotland's far north.

Discover Scotland’s most northerly mainland whisky distillery with artisan spirits, stunning sea views, and immersive tours in John O’Groats.

Scotland’s northeastern sentinel, Duncansby Head Lighthouse offers dramatic cliffs, iconic sea stacks, and rich maritime history at Britain’s edge.

Discover Westray’s breathtaking Natural Arch, a rugged sandstone marvel carved by the Atlantic waves along Orkney’s wild west coast.