Orkney Day Trip from Stromness: Skara Brae & Stone Circles

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/6

Duration5h 30m

GroupUp to 14

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

What happens when you walk inside a house that's been standing for five thousand years?

You visit four Neolithic and historical sites across Orkney in a single day, with a guide at Skara Brae and the stone circles, plus free time in Kirkwall. Entry to Skara Brae and water are included. The tour is timed to get you back to Stromness for the afternoon NorthLink Ferry to Scrabster, so it works only if that's your departure point or you're staying in Orkney and can reach Stromness by start time.

5h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Orkney's Neolithic sites and scenery

Photo stop at Yesnaby Cliffs
Guided tour of Skara Brae village
Free time at Skaill House and visitor centre
Guided tour of Ring of Brodgar stone circle
Guided tour of Standing Stones of Stenness
Drive around Scapa Flow war history sites
Free time exploring Kirkwall town

The Experience

You start the day in Stromness, which matters because this tour is built around the afternoon ferry back to Scrabster—not around cruise ships or Kirkwall hotels. The guide picks you up and heads straight for Yesnaby, where the cliffs drop hard enough that you feel the wind change. It's a photo stop, maybe ten minutes, but the light on those rocks stays with you. Then you're at Skara Brae, the Neolithic village, and a guide walks you through what's left of the stone walls and hearths. Five thousand years, and you can still see where people cooked and slept. There's a café there if you want lunch, or a visitor centre, but most people bring something and stay longer at the site itself.

After Skara Brae you move to the Ring of Brodgar—another stone circle, older than Stonehenge, standing in a field with almost nothing around it. The guide explains what archaeologists think happened here, and you get time to walk the circle yourself. Then the Standing Stones of Stenness, which are closer together, more intimate somehow. By this point you've seen three different Neolithic sites in one morning, which is either exactly what you want or more than enough. The drive between stops gives you a sense of the island—moorland, lochs, very few trees. You swing through Kirkwall, the main town, for free time and lunch if you didn't eat at Skara Brae. On the way back to Stromness, the guide talks about Scapa Flow and its role in World War II—the naval history is woven through the landscape here, and you see it from the vehicle. You're back at Stromness in time for the afternoon ferry, which is the whole point of the timing.

One thing to know: the seats are narrow, between 48 and 51 centimetres wide. Legroom is fine, but if you're broad-shouldered or just want more space, you can buy an extra seat. Bottled water is included. Lunch isn't, so bring something or plan to eat at one of the stops—the café at Skara Brae is convenient, but it does cut into your time at the site. This tour does not work for cruise passengers arriving in Kirkwall; the ferry departure point is 25 minutes away, and the timing won't match your ship's schedule. If that's you, there's a separate West Mainland tour designed for cruise guests.

What’s included

Your day includes bottled water and entry to Skara Brae with a guided tour.
You also get guided visits to the Ring of Brodgar and Standing Stones of Stenness, a photo stop at Yesnaby Cliffs, free time to explore Kirkwall, and a drive with commentary around Scapa Flow.
Lunch is not included, but cafés are available at Skara Brae and in Kirkwall, or you can bring your own.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Orkney Travel

Is this one for you?Right for day visitors catching the afternoon ferry from Stromness, or Orkney residents who can reach Stromness by start time and want to see the main Neolithic sites in one guided day. Plan for a full day out—that's what fits four major sites and the ferry schedule into one trip.