Kirkwall Neolithic History and Coastal Tour

These tours, which include sites like the Italian Chapel, Yesnaby Cliffs, Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar, Standing Stones of Stenness, and the Unstan Burial Tomb are unique for several reasons.
These sites collectively offer a blend of historical, archaeological, natural, and cultural significance.
The Italian Chapel is a remarkable example of resilience and creativity. Built by Italian prisoners of war (War II).
Yesnaby Cliffs are famous for their dramatic sea cliffs and rugged coastline.
Skara Brae is one of the most complete and well-preserved prehistoric villages in Europe, dating back over 5,000 years.
The Ring of Brodgar is a Neolithic stone circle and part of the UNESCO-listed Heart of Neolithic Orkney.
The Standing Stones of Stenness are part of an ancient ritual complex and are among the oldest stone circles in Britain, dating back to around 3,000 BCE.
The Unstan Burial Tomb is a Neolithic chambered cairn and one of several burial sites found on Orkney and the oldest of all.

Meeting Point

Travel Centre (Stand 5)

Kirkwall KW15 1AB, UK

Go to the back of the kirkwall travel information centre, which is also the Bus station, look for bus station Stand 5.

What's included:

• Skara Brae entry fee
• Knee pads for Unstan Burial Tomb
• Driver Guide
• Italian chapel entry fee

What to expect:

Duration: 6 hours

Kirkwall VisitScotland iCentre

West Castle Street, Kirkwall, KW15 1GU

Kirkwall - Italian Chapel (Mini van)

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

The Italian Chapel

Lamb Holm, , St. Mary's, KW17 2RT

The Italian Chapel was originally built by Italian prisoners of war (POWs) during World War II. In 1942, approximately 1200 Italian POWs were brought to Orkney to work on the construction of the Churchill Barriers, a series of causeways built to protect the naval base at Scapa Flow from enemy attacks.
The Italian prisoners, many of whom were skilled artisans, created the chapel using the materials available to them, such as scrap metal, wood, and concrete, as well as their own creativity and resourcefulness.
The Italian Chapel is not only a piece of art but also a symbol of hope and resilience. During the war, the chapel provided the Italian POWs with a place of solace and spiritual refuge. Despite the harsh conditions of captivity, they poured their heart and soul into building the chapel

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

The Italian Chapel

Lamb Holm, , St. Mary's, KW17 2RT

Italian Chapel - Kirkwall City Centre (Mini van)

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Kirkwall

Kirkwall

Kirkwall - Yesnaby Cliffs ( Mini Van)

30 minutes

Yesnaby Cliffs

Yesnaby Rd, Stromness

From Italian Chapel will proceed to Kirkwall town centre, then to yesnaby cliffs: These dramatic cliffs offer some of the most breathtaking coastal views in the Orkney archipelago. The area is renowned for its geological features, including impressive rock formations and sea stacks that have been shaped by centuries of erosion. The cliffs are composed mainly of sandstone and are home to a variety of seabird species, making it a popular spot for birdwatching. Puffins, guillemots, and kittiwakes are often seen nesting along the cliffs in the summer months. The site offers a sense of wilderness and isolation, making it a must-see for visitors to Orkney who appreciate natural beauty and dramatic landscapes.

20 minutes

Yesnaby Cliffs

Yesnaby Rd, Stromness

Yesnaby Cliffs - Skara Brae (mini Van)

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Skara Brae

Stromness, KW16 3LR

Yesnaby cliffs to Skara brae: It is one of the best-preserved Neolithic sites in Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to around 3100 BCE, Skara Brae provides a remarkable glimpse into the daily life of early humans during the Neolithic period, long before the construction of the Egyptian pyramids or Stonehenge. The site is often compared to a prehistoric version of a modern suburb, highlighting its significance in understanding human history and settlement patterns during the Stone Age.

1 hour, 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Skara Brae

Stromness, KW16 3LR

Lunch Break

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Skara Brae

Stromness, KW16 3LR

Skara brae - Ring of Brodgar (Mini Van)

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Ring of Brodgar

Brodgar B9055, Stromness, KW16 3JZ

From Skara Brae then to the rest of the Heart of Orkney, the Ring of Brodgar: t is one of the most impressive and significant archaeological sites in Europe, dating back to the late Neolithic period, around 2500 BCE to 2000 BCE. This ancient monument is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, which also includes other major sites like Skara Brae and Maeshowe. The stones are large, some reaching up to 4 meters (13 feet) in height, and the circle measures approximately 104 meters (341 feet) in diameter, making it one of the largest stone circles in the British Isles.

40 minutes

Ring of Brodgar

Brodgar B9055, Stromness, KW16 3JZ

Ring of Brodgar - Standing stones of Stenness (Mini Van)

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Standing Stones of Stenness

, , Stenness, KW16 3JY

Then on to standing stones of stenness: The site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, which also includes other ancient sites such as Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, and Maeshowe. The Standing Stones of Stenness date back to around 3000 BCE, making them older than Stonehenge in England

15 minutes

Standing Stones of Stenness

, , Stenness, KW16 3JY

Standing Stones of Stenness -Unstan Burial Tomb (Mini Van)

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Unstan Chambered Cairn

Stenness

Unstan Tomb is a chambered cairn, a type of tomb constructed from large stones and covered with a mound of earth. Unstan Tomb is a prehistoric burial site located on the Orkney Islands, Scotland, and is part of the rich archaeological landscape that makes up the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tomb is located on the island of Stenness and dates to around 2500 BCE, during the late Neolithic period.

15 minutes

Unstan Chambered Cairn

Stenness

Unstan Chambered Cairn - Kirkwall Town

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included