Orkney Private Tour: Skara Brae & Standing Stones Visit

Four thousand years of stone circles and prehistoric villages in a single morning

A private tour of Orkney's Neolithic heartland for up to seven travelers, led by a local guide who knows the islands inside out. The tour visits Skara Brae (a 5,000-year-old stone village), the Ring of Brodgar (a 60-stone ceremonial circle), and the Standing Stones of Stenness (among Britain's oldest stone monuments), moving at a relaxed pace with stops at the Italian Chapel and coastal views. Pickup is included. Entry tickets to Skara Brae are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Ring of Brodgar30m
2. Skara Brae1h 30m · entry included
3. Italian Chapel40m · entry included
4. Standing Stones of Stenness30m

Explore Orkney's Neolithic sites and landmarks

• Visit the Ring of Brodgar stone circle
• Tour the prehistoric village of Skara Brae
• Explore Barnhouse Neolithic village
• See the Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm
• Visit the Standing Stones of Stenness
• Walk around Stromness harbor town
• Enjoy views at Yesnaby Cliffs

The experience

The Ring of Brodgar sits between two lochs, 36 of its original 60 stones still standing in a perfect circle 104 metres wide, built around 2500–2000 BCE for purposes nobody fully knows: ritual, ceremony, or something the Neolithic people of Orkney understood in a way we can only guess at now. Skara Brae, older still, is eight stone houses built into the ground over 5,000 years ago, each with a hearth and stone furniture, uncovered by a storm in 1850 and now one of Europe's best-preserved prehistoric settlements. The Standing Stones of Stenness predate both, reaching back to around 3100 BCE, with four massive stones still standing over 5 metres tall. A local guide who grew up here walks you through these sites at a pace that lets the weight of them settle: no rushing, no lecture, just the stories and the landscape itself.

The tour also takes in Barnhouse, a Neolithic village near Stenness with the remains of at least 15 stone houses, and the Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm, built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II inside two joined Nissen huts and transformed with painted frescoes and religious artwork into something unexpectedly beautiful. Yesnaby Cliffs offer dramatic Atlantic views and sea stacks on Orkney's west coast. Stromness, the harbor town, has winding streets and local craft shops if the route includes a stop there. The whole day moves through six hours of walking, driving, and standing still in front of stone that has stood for millennia.

You travel in a Ford Custom Tourneo with room for up to seven passengers, pickup included from your accommodation. Entry to Skara Brae is not included in the tour price and must be booked separately. The other sites are open-access. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available if needed. The pace suits all fitness levels, though the sites involve walking on uneven ground and exposure to Orkney's weather.

What’s included

• Private transport in a Ford Custom Tourneo for up to seven passengers.
• pickup from your accommodation.
• a local guide who knows Orkney's history and hidden spots.
• access to the Ring of Brodgar, Standing Stones of Stenness, Skara Brae exterior, Barnhouse, the Italian Chapel, and Yesnaby Cliffs.
• specialized infant seats available on request.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 8 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on site£ 15

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Adventure Orkney

Is this one for you?The relaxed pace means you spend real time at each site rather than moving through a checklist, which suits anyone who wants to absorb the scale and age of these monuments rather than simply photograph them. If you're traveling with infants or small children, the private vehicle and flexible schedule work around their needs without holding back the rest of the group.

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Top questions

What exactly is Skara Brae and why is it so old?

Skara Brae is a stone village built around 3200 BCE (over 5,000 years ago) making it older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. Eight houses, each sunk into the ground for warmth and shelter, contain stone beds, dressers, and central hearths. Artifacts found there show a skilled, peaceful community with no signs of warfare, giving an extraordinary window into everyday Neolithic life.

How many standing stones are left at the Ring of Brodgar?

The Ring of Brodgar originally had 60 stones arranged in a perfect circle over 104 metres wide. Today 36 remain standing, surrounded by a large rock-cut ditch. The monument dates to around 2500–2000 BCE and shows no signs of domestic use, suggesting it served a ceremonial or spiritual purpose for the people who built it.

Is the Standing Stones of Stenness older than the Ring of Brodgar?

Yes. The Standing Stones of Stenness date to around 3100 BCE, making them one of the oldest known stone circles in the British Isles: older than the Ring of Brodgar and part of the same UNESCO World Heritage Site. Four massive stones, some over 5 metres tall, remain standing today, though the circle originally may have held up to 12.

What is the Italian Chapel and how did it end up in Orkney?

The Italian Chapel was built during World War II by Italian prisoners of war held on Lamb Holm while working on the Churchill Barriers. Completed in 1944, it was created inside two Nissen huts and decorated with intricate painted frescoes, a painted altar, and religious artwork: a stunning transformation of humble materials into a place of worship and faith.

Do I need to book entry tickets separately?

Entry to Skara Brae must be booked and paid for separately. It is not included in the tour price. The other sites visited (the Ring of Brodgar, Standing Stones of Stenness, Barnhouse, the Italian Chapel, and Yesnaby Cliffs) are open-access and require no separate ticket.

How long is the tour and what's included in the price?

The tour runs for six hours and includes private transport in a Ford Custom Tourneo for up to seven people, pickup from your accommodation, and a local guide. Snacks and entry tickets to Skara Brae are not included. You'll want to bring refreshments or plan a stop in Stromness.