Explore Orkney’s ancient past with a local guide. Discover hidden spots, ancient sites, and island life stories. Join a unique Neolithic tour.
Explore Orkney’s ancient past with a local guide. Discover hidden spots, ancient sites, and island life stories. Join a unique Neolithic tour.
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Ring of Brodgar - The Ring of Brodgar is a significant Neolithic stone circle situated in Orkney, Scotland, dating back to approximately 2500–2000 BCE. It stands as one of Britain’s most remarkable prehistoric monuments and is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Originally, the circle comprised 60 standing stones, with…
- Ring of Brodgar - The Ring of Brodgar is a significant Neolithic stone circle situated in Orkney, Scotland, dating back to approximately 2500–2000 BCE. It stands as one of Britain’s most remarkable prehistoric monuments and is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Originally, the circle comprised 60 standing stones, with 36 still standing today. These stones are arranged in a perfect circle over 104 meters wide, encircled by a large rock-cut ditch. The monument’s size and precision suggest it was constructed for ceremonial or ritualistic purposes.
Unlike other Neolithic sites, there is no evidence of domestic use, reinforcing its likely spiritual or communal significance. The ring is dramatically positioned between two lochs and aligns with nearby monuments, indicating it was part of a larger sacred landscape.
Although its exact purpose remains a mystery, the Ring of Brodgar serves as a powerful reminder of the beliefs, organization, and astronomical knowledge of prehistoric people in Orkney.
- Skara Brae - Skara Brae is a prehistoric stone village located on the Orkney Islands in Scotland. Dating back over 5,000 years (around 3200 BCE), it is one of the best-preserved Neolithic settlements in Europe—older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Egypt.
Uncovered by a storm in 1850, the site consists of eight stone houses, each with stone furniture like beds, dressers, and a central hearth. The homes were built into the ground for warmth and protection from the harsh climate. Artifacts found suggest a skilled and peaceful community, with no signs of warfare.
Skara Brae is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and gives an extraordinary glimpse into everyday life in prehistoric times.
- Barnhouse Neolithic Settlement - Barnhouse is a Neolithic village located near the Standing Stones of Stenness on the Orkney Islands, dating to around 3200 BCE. Discovered in 1984, the site includes the remains of stone-built houses used by some of Orkney’s earliest farming communities.
The village had at least 15 houses, each with a central hearth and stone furniture, similar to nearby Skara Brae. The layout suggests everyday domestic life, including cooking, sleeping, and possibly craftwork.
One building, known as Structure Eight, is larger and more complex than the others. It may have had a ceremonial or communal purpose, hinting at some form of leadership or shared gathering in the village.
Barnhouse sits close to major ceremonial sites like the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar, suggesting it was part of a wider sacred and social landscape in Neolithic Orkney.
- The Italian Chapel - The Italian Chapel is a beautifully crafted Roman Catholic chapel located on Lamb Holm, a small island in Orkney. It was built during World War II by Italian prisoners of war who were held on the island while working on the construction of the Churchill Barriers—defensive causeways protecting Scapa Flow.
The chapel was created inside two Nissen huts joined together, and transformed using limited materials like concrete, scrap metal, and paint. Led by prisoner Domenico Chiocchetti, the men decorated the interior with intricate artwork, including a painted altar, frescoes, and religious symbols, turning the humble structure into a stunning place of worship.
Completed in 1944, the Italian Chapel stands as a symbol of faith, resilience, and peace. It remains a popular visitor attraction and a powerful reminder of the human spirit, even in times of war.
- Standing Stones of Stenness - Standing Stones of Stenness is one of the oldest known stone circles in the British Isles, located on the Orkney Islands in Scotland. Dating back to around 3100 BCE, it predates both Stonehenge and the Ring of Brodgar. This ancient site is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes several key prehistoric monuments.
Originally, the circle may have consisted of up to 12 massive stones, set within a circular ditch and bank. Today, four large stones remain standing, some over 5 meters (16 feet) tall. Despite its incomplete appearance, the scale and design of the monument are impressive and suggest significant ceremonial or ritual use.
The site’s location—close to the Ring of Brodgar and other Neolithic structures—indicates it was part of a larger sacred landscape. Although the exact purpose remains unknown, the Standing Stones of Stenness are believed to have played an important role in the spiritual and communal life of Orkney’s early inhabitants.
- Stromness - Stromness is a charming Orkney harbor town known for its winding streets, local craft shops, galleries, and rich maritime history. Visitors should not miss the Pier Arts Centre and the town’s unique handmade goods and island crafts.
- Yesnaby Cliffs - Yesnaby Cliffs are dramatic sea cliffs on Orkney’s west coast, famed for their towering rock formations, sea stacks, and powerful Atlantic views. A great spot for coastal walks, birdwatching, and photography, they showcase Orkney’s wild natural beauty.

- In-vehicle air conditioning
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Snacks
- Snacks
I’m an Orcadian born and brought up right here in Orkney. Join me on a relaxed private tour exploring some of the islands’ most remarkable places, including Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness.
Whether it’s your first time here or your tenth, I’ll show you the Orkney I know — the hidden spots, the ancient sites that still…
I’m an Orcadian born and brought up right here in Orkney. Join me on a relaxed private tour exploring some of the islands’ most remarkable places, including Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness.
Whether it’s your first time here or your tenth, I’ll show you the Orkney I know — the hidden spots, the ancient sites that still feel alive, and the simple joys of island life. We’ll walk, chat, and take things at a relaxed pace. I’m not here to lecture — just to share what I know and love in a way that’s friendly, honest, and real.
If you enjoy a bit of fresh air, good company, and stories that go back thousands of years (with maybe a few sheep and sea views along the way), I’d be chuffed to show you around.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.