Known as the best-preserved Neolithic settlement in Western Europe, Skara Brae is a popular attraction which features a mix of indoor and outdoor exhibitions.
The self-guided tour starts with a short film and is followed by a walk through the small museum, which describes life during the Stone Age.
Then, the door leads to the outdoor reconstruction of an ancient home.
After that, the path passes markers highlighting other milestones, such as the pyramids being built, to give you an idea of the timeframe Skara Brae is portraying.
The village is cornered off, so visitors walk around it to preserve it for future audiences to discover.
The views over the Bay of Skaill are epic.
Historic Scotland looks after Skara Brae, so if you have an Explorer Pass, you can see it as part of this ticket or book online.
The ticket also includes entry to Skaill House, a historic manor featured on the List of Scottish Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest; the bathroom might surprise you!
During summer, there is a food truck and dining space in the garden of Skaill House.
Read next: Do I Need a Historic Scotland Pass?
Getting There and Location
Skara Brae sits on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of the Orkney Mainland, about 20 minutes drive from Stromness. The visitor centre and car park are signposted from the A967. Your ticket also covers neighbouring Skaill House, the 17th-century mansion of the laird who first explored the site.
What You Will See
Ten stone houses linked by covered passages sit half-buried in the dunes, each with box beds, a central hearth and a stone dresser still standing after five millennia. A replica house lets you step inside a reconstruction, while the interpretation centre traces daily Neolithic life. The village was occupied around 3100 BC, predating both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids.
Who It Suits
Anyone with an interest in prehistory should not miss Skara Brae – it is the headline attraction of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney and remarkably vivid. Families do well here thanks to the replica house and short trails. Combine it with the Ring of Brodgar and Standing Stones of Stenness for a full Neolithic day.
Practical Tips
Buy a joint ticket that includes Skaill House,Book online in peak summer to guarantee entry,Paths are exposed – bring a windproof layer,Time your visit with Brodgar and Stenness nearby,Allow time for the clifftop walk along the bay
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Skara Brae?
Skara Brae was occupied around 3100 BC, making it roughly 5,000 years old – older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids. It is the best-preserved Neolithic village in northern Europe, which is why stone furniture such as beds and dressers survives inside the houses.
Can you go inside the houses at Skara Brae?
For preservation you view the original houses from a walkway above, but a full-size replica house lets you step inside and see the layout as it would have looked. The visitor centre adds context before you walk out to the village itself.
