There are dozens of fascinating sites of interest dotted around the Orkney islands. Below is a guide to the some of the opening hours and prices for museums and attractions. Of course, many (especially on the smaller islands can be visited at any time of the day, and there is no charge). If a site of interest is not featured it is highly likely that entry is free and there are no opening hours.

Balfour CastleBalfour Castle, Shapinsay

Open for guided tours
May to Sept

Sunday afternoon only
Booking Essential
Admission price unknown

Bishops and Earl's PalaceBishop's and Earl's Palace, Kirkwall

Open Apr to Sept
Daily 9.30am to 6.30pm
Admission - £3.50 (Adult) £2.80 (Concessions) £1.75 (Child)

Brough of BirsayBrough of Birsay, West Mainland

Entry subject to tides
Museum open 9.30am to 5.30pm
Museum Admission £3 (Adult) £2.50 (Concessions) £1.50 (Child)

Corrigal Farm MuseumCorrigall Farm Museum,
West Mainland

Open Mar to Oct
Mon to Sat 10.30am to 1pm
2pm to 5pm
Sun 2pm to 7pm
Admission free

Highland Park DistilleryHighland Park Distillery, Kirkwall

Open
Admission £

Kirbuster Farm MuseumKirbuster Farm Museum, West Mainland

Open Mar to Oct
Mon to Sat, 10.30am to 1pm
2pm to 5pm
Sun, 2pm to 7pm
Admission free

Martello TowersHackness Martello Tower and Battery, Hoy

Open Apr to Sept
Daily 9.30am to 6.30pm
Admission £4 (Adult) £3.50 (Concessions) £2 (Child)

Orkney Faeie MuseumOrkney Faerie Museum, Westray

Open mid-April to end Sept
Mon to Fri, 10am to 5.30pm
Sun, 2pm to 4.30pm
On Sat, 3pm story-telling at 50p per child
Admission free
donations are very welcome

Orkney Marine Life CentreOrkney Marine Life Aquarium, South Ronaldsay
Open Apr to Oct
Daily, 10am to 6 pm
Admission £5.50 (Adult)
£4 (Child 3-15 inc.) £4 (Conc)
Concessions and Family tickets available.

We cater for visits out of season and in the evenings by prior booking
Orkney Wireless MuseumOrkney Wireless Museum, Kirkwall

Open Apr to Oct
Daily 10am to 4.30pm
Admission £2 (adult)
£1 (under 16) free (under 5)

Scapa Flow Visitor CentreScapa Flow Visitor Centre, Hoy

Open all year
Mon to Fri, 9am to 4.30pm
Mid May to Sept
Sat and Sun, 10.30am to 3.30pm
Admission free

Skara BraeSkara Brae, West Mainland
Open Apr to Sept, daily 9.30am
to 5.30pm (last admission 4.45pm)
Admission £6.50 (Adult)
£5 (Conc) £3.25 (Child)
Joint ticket with Skaill House

Open Oct to March, daily 9.30am
to 4.30pm (last admission 3.45pm)
Admission £5.50 (Adult)
£4.50 (Conc) £2.75 (Child)
Stromness MuseumStromness Museum, Stromness

Open May to Sept
Daily 10am to 5pm
Open Oct to April
Mon to Sat, 11am to 3.30pm
Admission - £3 (adults)
£2 (Conc) 50p (children)
£5 (family)

Trumland House GardensTrumland House Gardens, Rousay

Open 7th May to 28th Sept
Mon to Fri
10am to 5pm
Price £1.50

Barony Mills Barony Mills, West Mainland

Open 1st May to Sept
Daily 10am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm
Admission free

Broch of GurnessBroch of Gurness,
West Mainland

Open Apr to Sept
Daily 9.30am to 12.30pm
1.30pm to 6.30pm
Last admission 6pm
Admission £4.50 (Adult) £3.50 (Concessions) £2.25 (Child)

carrick HouseCarrick House, Eday

Open June to mid Sept
Occassional Sundays
by appointment
Admission free
donations only to charity

Fossil and Heritage CentreFossil and Heritage Centre, Burray

Open Apr to Sept
Daily 10am to 6pm
Admission price unknown

The Italian ChapelThe Italian Chapel, Lamb Holm

Open all year round
From dawn to dusk
Admission free

Mass celebrated
on the 1st Sunday of the month

MaeshoweMaeshowe, West Mainland

Open summer
Daily 9.30am to 6.30pm
Last tour 6pm
Open winter
Daily 9.30am to 4.30pm
Last tour 3.45pm
Admission £5 (Adult) £4 (Concessions) £2.50 (Child) Booking is required

MaeshoweMine Howe, East Mainland
Open May
Wed and Sun, 11am to 3pm
Open June, July and Aug
Daily, 11am to 5pm
Open 1st to 10th Sept
Sun and Wed, 11am to 4pm
Open 12th to 30th Sept
Sun and Wed, 11am to 2pm
Admission price unknown

Orkneyinga Saga CentreOrkneyinga Saga Centre, West Mainland

Open all year
Daily 9am - 5pm
Admission free

The orkney MuseumThe Orkney Museum, Kirkwall

Open May to Sept
Mon to Sat 10.30am to 5pm
Open Oct to Apr
Mon to Sat 10.30am to 12.30pm
1.30pm to 5pm
Admission free

Pier Arts CentrePier Arts Centre, Stromness

Open all year
Mon to Sat,10.30am to 5.30pm
June to Sept
Sundays 1pm to 5pm
Admission Free

Skaill HouseSkaill House, West Mainland

Open 1st Apr to 30th Sept
Daily, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Admission £6.50 (Adult)
£5 (Conc) £3.25 (Child)
Joint ticket with Skara Brae

St Magnus CathedralSt Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall

Open Apr to Sept
Mon to Sat, 9am to 1pm, 2pm to 6pm
Sunday 2pm to 6pm
Open Oct to March
Mon to Sat, 9am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm
Admission free
Upper Level Tours: £6.50

The Tomb of the EaglesThe Tomb of The Eagles, South Ronaldsay
Open April to Oct
Daily, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Mar 10am to 12noon
Nov to Feb
visitors welcome by arrangement
Admission - £5.50 (Adult) £4.50 (Conc) £3 (Children 13+) £2 (Children 5-12) Free (Children under 5)
Westray Heritage CentreWestray Heritage Centre, Westray

Opening times will be announced when the new addition is opened in early summer


Please note: though every effort has been made to ensure that this information is current, www.orkneyislands.info cannot be held responsible for any mistakes or alterations in times and prices.

Skaill House photo © Magnus Dixon, Mousie Tower photo © Leonard Bain, Maeshowe photo © Drew Kennedy, Aquarium photo © Drew Kennedy. All text © Magnus Dixon.

Got any suggestions or questions? Contact Us