The Heart of Neolithic Orkney is one of the world’s most remarkable prehistoric landscapes, and from Stromness you can easily access four of its finest treasures: Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness, and the Maeshowe chambered tomb. Together, these monuments form the keystones of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has captivated visitors, historians, and archaeologists for generations. Dating back more than 5,000 years, they reveal a civilisation of remarkable skill, vision, and creativity—one that left behind a legacy now recognised as one of the richest prehistoric cultural landscapes in Europe.

Skara Brae is arguably the star attraction. This remarkably preserved Neolithic village, discovered beneath sand dunes after a fierce storm in 1850, is often described as Europe’s best-preserved prehistoric settlement. Walking around its stone-built homes, complete with hearths, cupboards, and bed platforms, provides a vivid window into the daily lives of our distant forebears. The sense of connection you feel, knowing people once cooked, slept, and shared stories in these very spaces, is truly awe-inspiring.

A short distance inland lies the Ring of Brodgar, a magnificent stone circle set amidst heather moorland. It is one of the largest henge monuments in the British Isles, and, like its nearby neighbour, the Standing Stones of Stenness, represents a sophisticated ceremonial landscape. These towering megaliths—some broken, some still proudly upright—were carefully positioned to align with the sun, moon, and surrounding hills. Such precision hints at a complex social and spiritual system, and although their original purpose remains a subject of debate, visitors cannot fail to sense their significance.

Maeshowe, a Neolithic chambered cairn, adds another layer to this ancient world. Entering its passage, aligned to capture the midwinter sunset, you find a beautifully constructed interior where the interplay of shadow and light once carried immense meaning. Later, Viking graffiti added centuries after it was built provides a reminder that these monuments have long drawn interest and intrigue.

In Orkney, prehistory is not confined to museums. Here, the ancient past unfolds in the open air, offering a compelling journey into the lives of those who came before us. Standing amongst these sites, you can appreciate their timeless quality and understand why the Heart of Neolithic Orkney enjoys a well-deserved place on the UNESCO World Heritage list.