Skara Brae Historic Scotland

Skara Brae Visitor Centre

www.historicenvironment.scot
Tripadvisor (2,261) · Museum in Stromness, United Kingdom
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Stor.scot is the online shop for Historic Environment Scotland, the lead public body and charity protecting, understanding and sharing the historic …

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5.0/5 · 2,261 reviews
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Nov 3, 2024
What an experience this was.....an intimate look into the lives of the Neolithic families who lived in Skara Brae! This village which was covered in sand in a huge storm thousands of years ago, and … Full review by SUSIEFROMCRUCIBL
Oct 24, 2024
Skara Brae is the main reason I took a trip to Orkney. I've seen it on TV so many times, but had to see it for myself. You first get a short video explaining the history and how it was discovered, t… Full review by wendymY462PV
Oct 19, 2024
A very well reconstructed house to start the visit which gives you a great idea of how they must have lived 5000 years ago. Then a short walk to see the real thing! Very much worth the trip, what a l… Full review by H1465AZstephenw
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Articles

Uncovered thanks to strong wind and high tide during a storm in the winter of 1850, this prehistoric village is a great example of a ston…
sygic.com

Questions & answers

Q:
How should I get out group of 3 to Skara Brea from cruise port? Recommend a taxi to book ahead?
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Taxis are best pre-booked if you have tight schedule. I was unable to book with uber in Orkneys.
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Answer by Ray1962 · May 31, 2023
Q:
I intend getting the ferry from Scrabster to stromness. How do I get to skara brae from stromness. I will be a foot passenger
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Curiously the 8S service is very infrequent according to the timetables on the Stagecoach website (Google “Stagecoach Orkney” as TA won’t let me post the link) running once a …
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Curiously the 8S service is very infrequent according to the timetables on the Stagecoach website (Google “Stagecoach Orkney” as TA won’t let me post the link) running once a day on Mondays & Thursdays and twice on Saturdays. Also note that due to COVID it’s advisable to book a visiting slot for Skara Brae via the Historic Scotland website..
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Q:
I understand that Skara Brae is on the bus tour and cruise ship itineraries. I want to go, but not in a big crowd of people. …
Q:
I understand that Skara Brae is on the bus tour and cruise ship itineraries. I want to go, but not in a big crowd of people. Would you recommend going late in the day for a better experience?
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Difficult to say. Coach parties stick together to hear the guide. We were there mid afternoon and there were 4 coaches in the car park. But only 1 party walking round the site. (?) It is …
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Difficult to say. Coach parties stick together to hear the guide. We were there mid afternoon and there were 4 coaches in the car park. But only 1 party walking round the site. (?) It is easy to self guide. The film in the visitor centre, is worth watching. The time line walk to the village is fascinating. Most important is judging how to avoid the midges.
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Q:
I am always looking for the most economical way to travel (the cheaper the cost, the longer I can stay). I would be flying …
Q:
I am always looking for the most economical way to travel (the cheaper the cost, the longer I can stay). I would be flying from Newark and want to see Skara Brae and surroundings. Where should I fly to? I know there are Loganair flights from the mainland as well as ferries. I would probably stay in Orkney and hire a car.
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Then Fly to Kirkwall on Loganair and rent a car there. Kirkwall is on "Mainland" as is Skara Brae. Mainland is the main island of Orkney not to be confused with mainland Scotland. The …
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Then Fly to Kirkwall on Loganair and rent a car there. Kirkwall is on "Mainland" as is Skara Brae. Mainland is the main island of Orkney not to be confused with mainland Scotland. The Orkadians say they are going to Scotland. Loganair flies out of Edinburgh and Glasgow although Edinburgh is on the east coast of Scotland. I don't know what their schedules are outside of Orkney. They also fly to many of the Orkney islands, which I have done and recommend as you get to see a lot from that low altitude. A friend of mine used to fly to Europe a lot. She always flew with British Air because they fly direct to London from many airports in the "States" plus they can get you to your destination faster (ergo wasting less time in transit). They cost more, but how much is your vacation time worth. I schedule myself on a flight which gets to London about mid day, which lets you go though customs and catch the flight out the same day getting closer to your destination. You could fly into Edinburgh or Aberdeen which is closer to Orkney. If you have to spend the night there are more beds available in those locations walking distance from the airport (although if you go in August you will be dealing with the Scottish Tattoo in Edinburgh which is expensive and bed availability is much lower [ I found out the hard way]). In August going to Aberdeen is a better choice. Logan Air flies out of Aberdeen as well. Also there is a night ferry out of Aberdeen, which I have not taken but investigated. It lands just outside of Kirkwall in the middle of the night. August is a good time to be in Orkney as the Heather is blooming. I don't recollect much Heather at Skara Brae, but there is a fair amount at the Ring of Brodgar which adds a lot of color to pictures. Another place you want to go is Maeshowe (pronounced Mays-how) And if you are near that part of Mainland you might want to go north to the Barony Mill which is a mill grinding Bere Barley (a rare Barley, but significant one since it is a Heritage Barley which if any disease infects the usual Barley this could be used to replace it. They sell treats made of the barley. Highland Parks Scotch is also in Kirkwall and very worth visiting as they are one of the few Scotch distilleries still working the entire system from Barley to bottling. Taking a tour there is well worth your time. Since you are interested in history Orkney is a signet place as Scapa Flow is there which is where the British fleet was anchored during WWI and WWII. The German fleet was held there after WWI until they scuttled their own ships. The Royal Oak was sunk there. A book I read about the history of Orkney is "Orkney, a historical guide". It is well worth reading before going there. It was written by Caroline Wickham-Jones. Of course with your desire to go to Skara Brae you may have already read it. That book describes many other sites on Mainland as well as the other islands, historic and Pre-historic As an aside if you have access to Google Earth there is a 360 degree site located on the island of Sanday you should see. It is east of Kettletoft on the east side of the point. If you click on that site you will be able to see the inside of the Barrow (burial chamber) located there. Have a grand there.
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Frequently asked questions

Q:
How long do visits last?
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We have a variety of different properties in our care, so visit length very much depends on what property you are visiting! With most of our properties, your...
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