5,000 years of history

Orkney Archaeology Tour: Skara Brae & Standing Stones

A guided minibus tour through Orkney’s Neolithic and Iron Age past,
with local Green Badge guide Jean Ross.

In short

This guided minibus tour explores Orkney’s Neolithic and Iron Age archaeology, including the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness, the Iron Age Broch of Gurness and the chambered tomb of Maeshowe, much of it part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Jean Ross, Green Badge tourist guide, Great Orkney Tours

I’m Jean, your Orkney tour guide

I’ve been sharing Orkney’s ancient sites with visitors since 2008, and I never tire of the stories behind these stones.

Why Orkney for archaeology?

Orkney has one of the richest concentrations of prehistoric sites anywhere in Europe, with a history stretching back more than 5,000 years, older than Stonehenge and the pyramids.

Several of its sites form the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.

The Neolithic stone houses at Skara Brae
Standing stones at the Ring of Brodgar

What will you see?

  • Skara Brae: walk around the 5,000-year-old village and see how Neolithic people lived.
  • Ring of Brodgar & Standing Stones of Stenness: two great stone circles, full of mystery.
  • Broch of Gurness: an Iron Age broch with the village around it, and a Pictish farmhouse.
  • Brough of Birsay: a Pictish and later Viking settlement (tide permitting).
  • Maeshowe: the Neolithic chambered tomb, with runes left by Vikings in the twelfth century.

Is Maeshowe always included?

Maeshowe is visited subject to available booking spaces on the day, as entry is by timed ticket. I’ll always do my best to include it, just let me know it’s a priority for you.

Frequently asked questions

A full day is around 8 hours, usually 9am to 5pm, and the start and finish times are flexible. That’s enough to take in the main Neolithic sites without rushing. Tell me which sites matter most to you and I’ll plan a route to fit.

Maeshowe is entry by timed ticket, so it has to be booked ahead. If it is a priority for you, let me know when you get in touch and I will work it into the route. For the other sites, telling me in advance what you most want to see means I can plan the day around them.

Yes, it’s a relaxed, guided day at your own pace, with plenty of stories along the way. Up to 8 passengers, private or small group.

Step back 5,000 years

Tell me which sites you’d most like to see and I’ll shape the day around them, with a relaxed, guided day at your own pace. Up to 8 passengers, private or small group.

Book Your Tour

Your guide: Jean Ross, Green Badge Tourist Guide since 2008, born and brought up in Orkney.