'oot and aboot' in Birsay

Out & About in Orkney

Exploring the West Mainland has the combined benefit of seeing fascinating ancient sites and settings of breathtakingly beautiful countryside. Whatever the weather, these ancient sites are a wondrous spectacle to view just as the ever changing weather inspires us to imagine what life was like for our ancestors. Good sturdy footwear and waterproof clothing are advised for this unique trip.

Leaving Kirkwall at 9am, our 30 minute scenic journey takes us to the Brough of Birsay. The Brough is on a tidal island so access is dependant upon tidal flows of the day

Please see the Customer Advisory Notice at the bottom of this page.

Here you will see the remains of a busy complex of Pictish, Norse and later settlements around the scenic Birsay Bay. There is a small visitor centre on the Island which displays important early sculptures and interesting Viking artefacts.

Time for coffee and a comfort break at the local tea rooms.

As we move on we will visit The Earls Palace which was built between 1569 and 1579 by Earl Robert Stewart. The Palace was built of local grey flagstone and commands a dominant position in the village.

Not far from here is the St Magnus Church - established in 1064. It has undergone several re-builds but historians agree that St Magnus Church does indeed stand, at least partially, on the site of the Christchurch built here by Earl Thorfin in 1064. Set in the south wall is the filled in surround of a lancet window dating back to the 1200's.

The rejuvenating fresh air will by now, have stimulated you appetite so we eat lunch at a local hotel, renowned for its home made and locally sourced foods.

The afternoon tour begins with a visit to Unstan Cairn in Stenness. Unstan Cairn is a chambered tomb excavated in 1884 when many Neolithic pots were discovered.

Next, visit Cuween Chambered Cairn which is thought to date from around 3000BC. When it was entered in 1901, twenty-four dog skulls were found and thought to be the tribal emblems of the Stone Age builders.

On to our final site of the day which is The Rennibister Earth House which is remarkably well preserved and it is accessible. In November of 1926 a piece of farm machinery sank into the ground and from this hole an earth house or souterrain was found. Inside the structure, the remains of 19 individuals were found.

After a truly awesome and unique experience, we will now take you back to your accommodation and you can enjoy views of the Bay of Firth as we return.

Tour fees include all admission fees to sites of interest and lunch.

Features Summary

Awesome and unique, a tour planned to stimulate and rejuvinate you.

This takes you to the wild side!

• Brough of Birsay
• The Earls Palace
• St Magnus Church
• Unstan Cairn
• Cuween Chambered Cairn
• Rennibister Earth House
• Lunch included
• All site admission fees included

Customer Advisory Notice

The Brough of Birsay is on a tidal Island so access is dependent upon tidal flows of the day. If this part of the tour is important to you, please enquire about access to the Island by email or telephone and we will check the tide timetables for you particular date. This will reduce the chances of disappointment.

For booking information click here