Orkney Visitor Attractions
Contents:
Bed & Breakfast
- Hotels - Self-Catering
References: Where
to Stay on the Way - Getting
to Orkney
Balfour
Castle Tours, SHAPINSAY KW17 2DY Tel (01856) 711282, Fax
(01856) 711283
e-mail balfourcastle@btinternet.com
website www.balfourcastle.co.uk
Spend a pleasant afternoon on Shapinsay with a guided tour
of the principal rooms of the Castle and of its Victorian
walled garden. Orkney farmhouse teas in Castle staff
dining room. Twice weekly on Sundays and Wednesdays.
Ferry leaves Kirkwall at 14:15.
Barony
Mills, Birsay Heritage Trust, Springburn, TWATT, Orkney
KW17 2JH Tel (01856) 771276
The Barony Mill, Orkney’s last water mill, specialises in
bere-meal production. Built in 1873 it is situated at the
west end of Boardhouse Loch. Guided tours of mill.
Open every day April to September. Admission charge.
Broch
of Gurness, Aikerness, EVIE
Tel (01856) 751414
Well-preserved Iron Age broch on the shore of Eynhallow Sound
with extensive rampart and large domestic settlement.
Interesting museum with displays. Open all year, admission
charge.
Carrick
House, EDAY, Orkney KW17 2AB
Tel (01857) 622260
Historic laird’s house built by John Stewart in 1633.
Scene of the capture of Pirate Gow in 1725. Guided tours
once weekly to coincide with Sunday ferries or by request
in summer.
Corrigall
Farm Museum, HARRAY, Orkney
Restored 19th century farmstead with living area, old utensils,
and a working loom. Steading with circular kiln, barn
and byre. Sheep, hens and horse-powered implements.
Open March to October, admission charge.
Highland
Park Distillery Visitor Centre, Holm Road, KIRKWALL KW15 1SU
Tel (01856) 874619, Fax (01856) 876091
website www.highlandpark.co.uk
200 year old distillery with working floor maltings and peat-burning
kilns. Visitor Centre with interesting shop. Guided
tours available all year round of distillery with audiovisual
programme about Orkney and the Distillery. Free dram
- Admission charge for tours. STB Commended.
Kirbuster
Farm Museum, BIRSAY, Orkney
Preserved 19th century “firehoose” with fireback and smoke
hole in the roof. Neuk beds in walls. Interesting
artefacts inside Victorian garden and attractive burn outside.
Open March to October, admission charge.
Maeshowe
and Tormiston Mill, STENNESS, Orkney Tel (01856) 761606
Orkney’s most spectacular Neolithic chambered cairn.
Large collection of 12th century Viking runes. During
December and January the setting sun illuminates the passage
and chamber. Adjacent 19th century mill houses shop
and displays. Open all year, admission charge.
Orkney
Fossil & Vintage Centre, Viewforth, BURRAY KW17
2SX Tel (01856) 731255
Displays of local and worldwide fossils and “glow in the dark”
minerals, vintage exhibits and old joinery tools. Archive
room and attractive gift shop. Fascinating story of
Orkney geology and fossils. Admission charge to display
rooms.
The
Orkney Museum, Tankerness House, Broad Street, KIRKWALL, Orkney
KW15 1DH
Tel (01856) 873191 Fax (01856) 871560
The story of Orkney 4,000BC to 1,800AD. From the Stone Age
to the 18th century - via Picts and Vikings. Contained
in an historic 16th century house with gardens. Open
all year, admission free.
Orkney
Wireless Museum, Kiln Corner, Junction Road, KIRKWALL KW15
1LB
Tel (01856) 871400
A fascinating collection showing domestic radio over the years.
Wartime radio in Orkney, valves, transistors, etc, and Italian
Prisoner of War artefacts.
The
Pier Arts Centre, Victoria Street, STROMNESS KW16 3AA
Tel (01856) 850209, Fax (01856) 851462
Continuous programme of contemporary art exhibitions shown
alongside a remarkable collection of 20th century art, including
Hepworth, Wallis and Gabo.
Scapa
Flow Visitor Centre, Lyness, HOY, Orkney
Scapa Flow’s major role as a naval base in WWI and WWII is
portrayed here with displays, artefacts and equipment.
Original fuel oil pumping station and one preserved oil tank.
Open all year, admission charge.
Skaill
House, Breckness Estate, SANDWICK KW16 3LR
Tel (01856) 841501, Fax (01856) 841668
e-mail janette@skaillhouse.freeserve.co.uk
Complement your Skara Brae experience with a visit to this
17th century Mansion House. Skaill House offers a unique
insight into Orkney history. Gift shop. Open April
to September, otherwise by appointment, admission charge (includes
access to Skara Brae).
Skara
Brae Visitor Centre and Skara Brae, Bay of Skaill, SANDWICK,
Orkney Tel (01856) 841815
Visitor Centre with audiovisual, hands-on displays and artefacts
from Skara Brae. Shop and café. Replica
of hut 7 from the Neolithic village. Open all year.
Admission charge to displays and Skara Brae (includes access
to Skaill House April to Sept).
St Magnus Kirk, The Palace, BIRSAY
This attractive church was built in 1760, but parts of its
structure are much earlier. It is open to visitors and
a key can be obtained from nearby Palace Stores.
Stronsay
Fish Mart, Whitehall Village, STRONSAY KW17 2AR Tel (01857)
616346
Former fish mart from the Herring Fishing time - now café,
museum, visitor centre and hostel. Meals, snacks, takeaway,
hot and cold drinks, gifts, postcards, etc. Self-catering
hostel sleeping 8 people.
Stromness
Museum, 52 Alfred Street, STROMNESS, Orkney KW16 3DF
Tel (01856) 850025
Orkney maritime history displays, including shipping, whaling,
Hudson’s Bay Company and the WWI German fleet in Scapa Flow.
Display of Orkney eggs, butterflies and moths.
Sui Generis Gallery, Redbanks, EDAY KW17 2AA Tel/Fax (01857)
622219
www.suigenerisfurniture.co.uk
Byres are galleries, exhibits magical collection of unique
furniture, etc. Exclusive souvenirs. Unusual gardens, workshop,
guided tours, admission charge.
Tomb
of the Eagles, Liddle, SOUTH RONALDSAY KW17 2RW Tel (01856)
831339
Unique insight into Neolithic life with opportunity to handle
original artefacts. Visit to Bronze Age House as well
as the Tomb itself in its cliff top location. Admission
charge.
Westray
Heritage Centre, The Lodge, Pierowall, WESTRAY KW17 Tel (01857)
677231
Permanent artistic natural history display. Annual historic
exhibition, hands-on children’s models, crafts and light refreshments.
Open May to September. Admission charge.
