Best Landmarks in Orkney

10 landmarks

1. 
   01
   Cathedral4.7★1,698 reviews

   St Magnus Cathedral

   St Magnus Cathedral, known as the 'Light in the North,' is a striking Romanesque cathedral in Kirkwall, Orkney. Founded in 1137 and built over 300 years, it is Scotland’s only complete medieval cathedral and holds the bones of its namesake saint, Magnus Erlendsson. Made of distinctive red and yellow sandstone, it serves as a place of worship, cultural events, and a major historic landmark, welcoming visitors year-round with free entry and guided tours available.

   Mon–Sat 9:00–17:00 · Sun 13:00–17:00Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs

   27 min drive · 13 km·Broad St, Kirkwall KW15 1DH

   Show on map St Magnus Cathedral
2. 
   02
   Historical landmark4.7★148 reviews

   Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn

   A 5,000-year-old Neolithic burial chamber nestled on the slopes of Cuween Hill in Orkney, Scotland. This miniature version of the famous Maeshowe features a central chamber with four smaller cells and a narrow, atmospheric passage carved into bedrock. Excavations revealed the remains of at least eight humans and 24 dog skulls, offering tantalizing clues about ancient burial practices and beliefs in the afterlife. The site commands sweeping views over the Bay of Firth and sits near the remains of the Stonehall Neolithic settlement, making it an essential destination for those seeking to understand Scotland's earliest agricultural communities.

   Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.8–1.5 hrs

   44 min drive · 22 km·Old Finstown Rd, Orkney KW17 2EJ

   Show on map Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn
3. 
   03
   Historical landmark4.7★52 reviews

   Churchill Barriers

   The Churchill Barriers are four historic causeways in Orkney, Scotland, built during World War II to protect the naval anchorage at Scapa Flow. Constructed between 1940 and 1944 on Winston Churchill’s orders, they blocked eastern approaches to prevent enemy submarines from entering. Today, they serve as vital road links connecting Orkney Mainland to South Ronaldsay via several islands, with two barriers listed as Category A for their national importance.

   Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–2 hrs

   20 min drive · 10 km·A961, Orkney KW17 2RZ

   Show on map Churchill Barriers
4. 
   04
   Historical landmark4.7★35 reviews

   The Cannon

   Situated on a grassy verge along Ness Road in Stromness, The Cannon is a historic landmark originating from the American privateer Liberty, captured in 1813. It offers visitors a scenic spot overlooking Stromness harbour, where the cannon was traditionally fired to welcome Hudson’s Bay Company ships, embodying the town’s rich maritime heritage.

   Time to spend 0.2–1 hr

   64 min drive · 32 km·12 S End, Stromness KW16 3DJ

   Show on map The Cannon
5. 
   05
   Historical landmark4.2★39 reviews

   Rennibister Earth House

   Rennibister Earth House is a remarkable underground archaeological site near Kirkwall, Orkney, dating back to around 400 BC. This stone-lined souterrain features a narrow passage leading to a small chamber, notable for the discovery of human remains of about 18 individuals. Its mysterious origins and later use as a burial vault make it a unique glimpse into Iron Age life and death in Scotland.

   Open 24 hoursPrice level $Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs

   38 min drive · 19 km·Kirkwall KW15 1TX

   Show on map Rennibister Earth House
6. 
   06
   Historical landmark4.0★39 reviews

   Grain Earth House

   Nestled incongruously within Kirkwall’s Hatston Industrial Estate, Grain Earth House is a remarkable Iron Age subterranean structure dating back to the first millennium BC. This ancient earth house, likely used for food storage, features a five-metre-long curving passage leading to a tall, oval chamber supported by massive stone pillars. Visitors experience a rare glimpse into Orkney’s prehistoric past through its exquisite stonework and atmospheric underground setting.

   Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs

   29 min drive · 14 km·Hatston Industrial Estate, Swordfish Rd, Kirkwall KW15 1GR

   Show on map Grain Earth House
7. 
   07
   Historical landmark4.6★23 reviews

   HMS TERN (RNAS Twatt)

   HMS Tern, also known as Royal Naval Air Station Twatt, is a historic WWII naval airfield near Twatt, Orkney. Established in 1941, it served as a key training and operational base for the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, supporting squadrons from the Home Fleet. Many original buildings remain, including a distinctive bomb-defended control tower, offering a poignant glimpse into wartime aviation history amid Orkney’s rugged landscape.

   Open 24 hoursPrice level $Time to spend 1–2.5 hrs

   71 min drive · 35 km·Twatt, Orkney KW17 2JH

   Show on map HMS TERN (RNAS Twatt)
8. 
   08
   Historical landmark4.9★17 reviews

   Burroughston Broch

   Burroughston Broch is one of Scotland's finest preserved Iron Age defensive towers, standing sentinel on the rugged northeastern cliffs of Shapinsay in Orkney. Built around 2,000 years ago, this remarkable drystone structure features walls up to four metres thick and offers commanding views across the North Sea. Located four miles from the ferry pier, the broch rewards visitors with dramatic coastal scenery, opportunities to spot seals on nearby rocks, and a tangible connection to Iron Age life in the far north.

   Open 24 hoursTime to spend 1.5–3 hrs

   31 min drive · 16 km·Shapinsay

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9. 
   09
   Historical landmark4.7★9 reviews

   First Nations And Orcadian Totem Pole

   The First Nations and Orcadian Totem Pole, erected in 2007 on Mainland Orkney, symbolizes the cultural connection between the indigenous peoples of Canada’s Pacific Northwest and the people of Orkney. This striking wooden monument blends traditional First Nations artistry with Orcadian heritage, standing as a testament to shared histories and artistic collaboration.

   Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs

   20 min drive · 9.9 km·Orkney KW17 2SG

   Show on map First Nations And Orcadian Totem Pole
10. 
    10
    Historical landmark5.0★6 reviews

    Hoy High Lighthouse

    Hoy High Lighthouse, built in 1851 by Alan Stevenson, stands on the northeast point of Graemsay in Orkney. This historic lighthouse, alongside its companion Hoy Sound Low Lighthouse, served as a vital maritime navigational aid guiding ships safely through the treacherous Hoy Sound towards Stromness. Its 108-foot white tower is a prominent landmark reflecting Orkney’s rich maritime heritage and the importance of safe passage in these northern waters.

    Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–2 hrs

    61 min drive · 30 km·Orkney, Stromness KW16 3NG

    Show on map Hoy High Lighthouse