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Skara Brae Prehistoric Village

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

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Skara Brae is Europe’s best-preserved Neolithic village, located on Orkney’s Bay of Skaill. Dating back over 5,000 years, this remarkable archaeological site features eight stone houses with intact furniture, connected by covered passageways. Visitors can explore the original village ruins from designated paths and experience a full-scale reconstruction of House 7. The site includes a visitor centre with exhibitions, artefacts, and a café, offering a vivid glimpse into prehistoric life before the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge were built.

A brief summary to Skara Brae Prehistoric Village

  • Stromness, Sandwick, KW16 3LR, GB
  • +441856841815
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours
  • Mid ranged
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
  • Monday 9:30 am-5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 9:30 am-5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 9:30 am-5:30 pm
  • Thursday 9:30 am-5:30 pm
  • Friday 9:30 am-5:30 pm
  • Saturday 9:30 am-5:30 pm
  • Sunday 9:30 am-5:30 pm

Local tips

  • Book tickets online in advance to guarantee entry and parking, especially during peak summer months.
  • Visit the full-scale House 7 reconstruction to experience the interior of a Neolithic home.
  • Allow 1.5 to 2 hours to explore the visitor centre, exhibition, village site, and nearby Skaill House.
  • Wear sturdy footwear for walking the paths around the village, which include some steps and uneven surfaces.
  • Consider attending summer evening tours for a quieter, atmospheric visit after regular hours.
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Getting There

  • Bus

    Take the Stagecoach bus service from Kirkwall to Sandwick, which runs several times daily with a journey time of approximately 40 to 50 minutes. From Sandwick, a 20-minute walk or local taxi can bring you to Skara Brae. Bus fares range from £5 to £8 one way.

  • Car

    Driving from Kirkwall to Skara Brae takes about 30 minutes via the A965 and local roads. Parking is available on site but limited, so booking your ticket online in advance secures a parking space. Parking is free for visitors.

  • Taxi

    Local taxi services operate from Kirkwall and Stromness to Skara Brae, with journey times around 30 minutes. A taxi fare typically ranges from £30 to £40 one way. Advance booking is recommended, especially during peak season.

  • Walking

    For the adventurous, walking from Sandwick village to Skara Brae takes about 20 minutes along a coastal path with some uneven terrain. This option is suitable for visitors with moderate fitness levels and proper footwear.

Skara Brae Prehistoric Village location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Rain / Wet Weather
  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Windy Conditions
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures

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Discover more about Skara Brae Prehistoric Village

A Window into Neolithic Life

Skara Brae is a unique archaeological treasure, revealing the daily lives of a farming community that thrived around 3,100 to 2,500 BC. Buried under sand for millennia until uncovered by a storm in 1850, the village’s semi-subterranean stone houses remain astonishingly intact. Each house contains built-in stone furniture such as beds, dressers, and seats, offering unparalleled insight into prehistoric domestic architecture and lifestyle. The village’s layout, with interconnected homes and covered passageways, illustrates a sophisticated community planning far ahead of its time.

Visitor Centre and Exhibitions

The modern visitor centre serves as the gateway to Skara Brae, featuring a comprehensive exhibition of artefacts excavated from the site. Interactive displays and a short introductory film set the historical context, while the centre’s café and gift shop provide amenities for visitors. Adjacent to the centre is the full-scale reconstruction of House 7, furnished with animal skins and replicas of Neolithic tools, allowing visitors to step inside and imagine life 5,000 years ago.

Exploring the Site and Surroundings

From the visitor centre, a well-maintained path leads to the village ruins, winding along the scenic Bay of Skaill. For conservation reasons, visitors observe the houses from designated walkways, which offer clear views into each room. The path features a timeline marked by stones, illustrating key historical events proportionally to distance, helping visitors appreciate the village’s ancient origins relative to other world milestones. Nearby, Skaill House, a 17th-century mansion included in the ticket price during summer months, adds further historical depth to the visit.

Preservation and Environmental Challenges

Skara Brae is protected by a sea wall to guard against coastal erosion, a constant threat due to its exposed location. Managed by Historic Environment Scotland, the site is maintained meticulously to preserve its fragile remains. Despite its remote setting, Skara Brae welcomes visitors year-round, with reduced hours in winter. Evening tours during summer offer a rare chance to experience the site without crowds, enhancing the atmosphere of this ancient village.

Significance within the Heart of Neolithic Orkney

Skara Brae forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, alongside other monumental sites like the Ring of Brodgar and Maeshowe chambered tomb. This collective heritage highlights Orkney’s importance as a centre of prehistoric culture and innovation. The village’s abandonment around 2,500 BC remains a mystery, with theories ranging from environmental changes to gradual societal shifts.

Visitor Experience and Accessibility

A typical visit lasts 1.5 to 2 hours, encompassing the visitor centre, House 7 reconstruction, and the archaeological site. The paths are surfaced and accessible for most visitors, though some steps around the village may limit full wheelchair access. The site is family-friendly, with informative boards and staff available to answer questions. Booking tickets online in advance is advised, especially during busy summer months when cruise ship tours increase visitor numbers.

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