Top Things to do in Mainland
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The 10 Best Things to do Good for Big Groups in Mainland, Scotland
The aptly named Mainland is the main island of Orkney, a collection of Scottish islands with serious Viking cred. On West Mainland you’ll find the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, prehistoric ruins that include a chambered tomb, stone ceremonial circles, and Skara Brae, a well-preserved Neolithic village. Cap off your visit with a hoppy glug from the Orkney Brewery. Over on the East side, marvel at a collapsed sea cave known as The Gloup, take a provincial stroll through St. Mary’s Village or just dip your toes in at Mill Sands or Dingieshowe Beach.
Restaurants in Mainland
1. See Orkney
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 145 reviews
We are a small family business offering Guided Tours of Orkney. We can take up to eight passengers in our luxury minibus. Our bespoke tours can include The Heart of Neolithic Orkney, Scapa Flow and the South Isles, a Taste of Orkneys food and drink, a Farm Tour, crafts and knitwear or just drive around and take in our beautiful landscapes and seascapes.
2. Orkney Tailor-Made Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 71 reviews
David and Margaret are a husband and wife team of experienced professional Orkney Guides offering private day and half day tours in our air conditioned 7 passenger Hyundai i800. Orkney has stunning scenery, 5,000 year old Megalithic World Heritage sites, a bloodthirsty Viking past and an inland sea that was the British Navy's base in the two World Wars. We tailor our tours round our guests.
3. About Orkney
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 42 reviews
There is so much to see and do in Orkney. An About Orkney tour is designed around what you want to see and helps you make the most of every minute.
4. Red's Orkney Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 58 reviews
I am fully qualified STGA Green Badge guide. See the sites of Orkney in comfort in my 8 seat Mercedes minibus. Create your own itinerary or choose one of my suggested tours. We live it, You'll love it!
5. Skara Brae
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,073 reviews
The Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae, near the dramatic white beach of the Bay of Skaill, is one of the best preserved groups of prehistoric houses in Western Europe. Uncovered by a storm in 1850, the attraction presents a remarkable picture of life around 5,000 years ago. Visitors can experience a prehistoric village and see ancient homes fitted with stone beds, dressers and seats. A replica construction allows visitors to fully understand the interior of a prehistoric house.
Reviewed By 777juliea - Winchester, United Kingdom
This fascinating historic site was on our bucket list for years, and now we have managed to visit twice. On both occasions we were on a guided tour, and the tour guide was full of interesting information. Who could imagine that these relatively advanced houses actually predated Stonehenge? The cluster of houses is close to the sea, with a magnificent sweep of a bay just beyond so visiting the site is itself a memorable experience. Some of the dwellings still retain their stone fittings. There is also a replica dwelling close by which visitors can enter.
6. Lizzie's Orkney Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 40 reviews
I was born in Orkney and have lived here all my life being very proud to call myself an Orcadian. I am a Scottish Tourist Guiding Association Green Badge accredited tourist guide and experienced in accompanying visitors to many of the exciting sites around Orkney, exploring the history over the past 5000 years, enjoying the scenery, wildlife and unique atmosphere. Join me!
7. My Orkney Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Native Orcadian Tour guide will show you the natural beauty of Orkney, taking in sites from Neolithic, through Viking times to Wartime history,telling you stories of how it was and how it is to live on these beautiful islands nowadays. Agriculture and farm tours a specialty Comfortable 8 guest minibus available. Bigger vehicles available on request.
8. Orkney Uncovered
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 516 reviews
Orkney Uncovered Private Tours, provides private guided tours of the Orkney Islands. We cover all of Orkney’s history, culture, economy, food and drink. We specialise in Military history and Scapa Flow. We provide bespoke Ancient Orkney private tours with a focus on Neolithic Orkney, the Iron Age and the Viking Ages. All our tours are tailored to meet our clients requirements. Orkney Uncovered Private Tours are open 365 day a year and offer professional,fun and informative private touring experience.
9. Yesnaby Cliffs
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 315 reviews
Reviewed By stufromthesim - Glasgow, United Kingdom
The views here on the day we went were simply incredible but in different weather it will be entirely different so bear that in mind when deciding if a visit is worthwhile. These are particularly accessible cliffs with a car park practically on the cliff top at the old gun battery site. The sat nav may try to encourage you to turn left as you drive towards the cliffs but so long as you can see a small selection of derelict ww2 style block buildings ahead of you, stick on the straight road you have been on. There is a concrete hard standing on which about 8 cars could park with little problem and plenty of parking just before this for any overflow. Once out of the car the ground is quite rough and leads to the edge of the cliff and it would be very easy for someone to fall and die - particularly children but those unsteady on their feet would also be at risk towards the edge. That said, provided you’re not an idiot or a negligent parent there is nothing to fear that common sense would not prevent. The sea stacks are but a relatively short walk (we were out and back in about an hour which included fannying about taking pictures) along an well worn path which is signposted off to the left of the car park as you look towards the cliffs. The walk to the stacks was very muddy on our visit but starts out flat before some wooden steps mark the start of a more uneven journey. The path is easy to follow as it tracks the fence all the way with a gangplank to cross a small dip, a 90 degree turn to follow the fence again and some more wooden steps to help you out a little further along. We only went as far as the Castle stack which was about a quarter mile on from the the second set of wooden steps but I understand it runs on further south and takes in more sea stacks but not sure how much farther down they are. A fantastic weather dependant trip that rewards with some stunning photos. I imagine falling down the several hundred metre cliffs would seriously impact on your enjoyment of this worthwhile venue so be careful!
10. Ness of Brodgar
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 343 reviews
Reviewed By BDenz - Campbell River, Canada
Each year, the archaeologists who work this site open greater insight into the peoples who lived between Maeshowe, Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar. And with each new find, the history of the era marks this area as the first of its kind in Great Britain. Take that, Stonehenge.
