The village of St Mary's
The village mainly spreads along the waterfront and was built for the herring fishing trade. There are a few walks nearby and you can find out about them and more walks on walkorkney.com

The Churchill Barriers
The Barriers are famous for being built by the Italian Prisoners of War on orders from Winston Churchill after HMS Royal Oak was torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1939.  The Germans took advantage of a high tide to get past the blockships that were sank here in WW1.  You can find out more at undiscoveredscotland.co.uk.                                                                There are opportunities to scuba dive in and around the wrecks that are situated very near the barriers. You can find out more at scapascuba.co.uk

Italian Chapel - Near St Mary's, on the tiny island of Lamb Holm (connected to the Mainland by the first of the Churchill Barriers) is a unique memorial to 550 Italian Prisoners of War where they were interned in the 1940s. This beautiful little chapel was converted internally from two corrugated iron nissan huts, and there are exquisite paintings along the walls and at the alter.  It has been featured on 'Songs of Praise'.  Open daylight hours daily and free to visit. 

The Fossil and Heritage Museum
This museum is situated on the third Island called Burray, which is across two more  barriers. The museum has some mementoes of both World Wars and a unique display of fossils and crystals.

Tomb of the Eagle
This chamber tomb dates from about 3000bc and is so named because of all the sea-eagle claws and talons found in it.

Minehowe - Tankerness.  This Iron Age chamber was discovered in 1946,  re-excavated in 2000 and featured on the TV programme 'Time Team'.            It is a mysterious structure comprising of twenty-nine underground steps and two side chambers.  The site is open to the public and finds and displays are on site.  The use of this chamber is still unknown.

The Gloup - Deerness is a dramatic collapsed sea-cave separated from the sea by a land bridge about 80 yards wide. It is approximately 40 yards long and 80 feet deep. Gloup comes from the Old Norse "gluppa" - a chasm - the local name for a blow hole, and this name was given to describe the noise the waves make going in and out of the collapsed cave. The Gloup is a 200 yard walk from the car park (complete with interpretation centre) though it is unfenced and great care is required.

UNESCO World Heritage - the heart of Neolithic Orkney.                         UNESCO awarded World Heritage status to 4 sites in Orkney in 1999

Skara Brae is a very well-preserved late Neolithic village containing an intricate maze of dwellings with stone beds, lintels and cupboards all intact.    The site was revealed by a storm in 1850 and is now one of the most famous Neolithic sites in northern Europe.

The Ring of Brodgar is one of the finest stone circles in the world.             This stone ring was built in a true circle, 104 metres wide and originally contained 60 stones, of which 27 still remain today.                                    Free walks around the site are provided by Historic Scotland rangers.

The Standing Stones of Stenness  These stones make up a small circle dating from the third Millenium BC.  It originally contained 12 stones.

Maeshowe is the finest chambered tomb in Western Europe. Built before 2700 BC, it was raided by the Vikings in the mid-12th century and plundered of its 'treasures'.  Maeshowe is interesting because of the various runic inscriptions carved into the walls.  This is one of the best known collections and includes the Maeshowe Dragon - a very well known Orkney icon.  During the winter solstice every year the sun shines down the long entrance passage and lights up the back wall.  Tours are available.

 

The city and Royal Burgh of Kirkwall is the capital of Orkney. It is a Viking town that was founded around 1035 by Earl Rognvald Brusason. The name Kirkwall comes from the Old Norse, 'Kirkjuvagar' meaning 'church-bay' and refers to a much older church than the present day Cathedral. The original town is one of the best preserved examples of an ancient Norse town.              Kirkwall is a port with ferry services to Aberdeen and Lerwick in the Shetland Islands, as well as the principal north islands in the group.    

St Magnus Cathedral was founded in 1137 by Norse Earl Rognvald Kolson in memory of his uncle Saint Magnus. The Cathedral contains their remains, marvellous medieval grave markers and noted stained glass.  This well known cathedral has been described as one of the finest and best preserved medievel cathedrals in Scotland and has featured on 'Songs of Praise'.                     

Bishop's Palace and Earl's Palace.  Situated close to St Magnus Cathedral, these are two ruined palaces built in the 12th and 17th Century respectively and now belong to Historic Scotland.

Museums
Tankerness House and Gardens, housing the Orkney Museum.                 Situated almost opposite St Magnus Cathedral, this is Orkney's finest sixteenth century town house with exhibits reflecting Orkney's heritage and history.  Behind the museum is a beautifully kept walled garden.  The prehistoric, Pictish and Viking collections are of international importance. Admission is free.       The Orkney Wireless Museum deals with the history of radio and recorded sound.

Highland Park Distillery is a 200 year old distillery with working floor maltings and peat kilns.  Tours are available.