Top Things to do in Stenness
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Top 6 Things to do in Stenness, Scotland
Discover the best top things to do in Stenness, United Kingdom including About Orkney, Little Orkney Dye Shed, Standing Stones of Stenness, Maeshowe Chambered Cairn, Unstan Chambered Cairn, Happy Valley.
1. 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.
2. Little Orkney Dye Shed
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
3. Standing Stones of Stenness
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 486 reviews
These mysterious standing stones, similar to England's Stonehenge, date from 2000 BC.
Reviewed By 266annettep - Melbourne, Australia
Again we visited the stones with a Ranger walk check the Historical Scotland Website for times and days. Eleanor our guide first took us to the Barnhouse site which gave us so much information for our visit to Skara Brae. the walk took and hour and it really gave us so much information about the Neolithic people and why they were there. The standing stones were what you wanted them to be I had my Outlander moment, again a must visit UNESCO world heritage site.
4. Maeshowe Chambered Cairn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 710 reviews
This site is closed for now. We’re working hard to gradually reopen the places you love while making sure the experience is safe for everyone. Enter one of the finest Neolithic buildings in north-west Europe, a masterpiece of ancient engineering. This chambered tomb, which sits on a platform encircled by a ditch, is a monument to the skill and beliefs of Orkney's people some 5,000 years ago. If you visit in midwinter - and the skies are clear - you can witness the central chamber illuminated by a shaft of light from the setting sun. Maeshowe's unique story continued with it was broken into about 1,000 years ago by Norsemen. They left their mark in the astonishing runic graffiti, alongside the stunning 'Maeshowe Lion' carving. Visits are by guided tour only. Tours depart from the new Maeshowe Visitor Centre (at Stenness), postcode KW16 3LB. Tours are hourly and start at 10am with the last tour at 4pm.
Reviewed By _sw5555_ - Vancouver, Canada
Guided tour is about 1HR and features a number of topics which are semi-hidden, only to be illuminated by the knowledgeable tour guide. There is also reportedly the largest number of Viking runes in one location in the UK.
5. Unstan Chambered Cairn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By pakabay - Adelaide, Australia
We had a professional guide for 2 days on Mainland Orkney, and we were staying in Stromness. This is the first neolithic site that Sue brought us to and it was a pretty amazing way to start. Firstly, it was free and you just parked in the carpark nearby, and walked in. Yes, you then had to crawl or bend really low (depending on your fitness and condition) to gain entry, but there you were - standing inside a 5,000 year old tomb and it was just us! Having a guide was really important we believe, they add so much that you just can’t get off a web site or a brochure. We drove past several times during our stay and I never ever saw another car there, in the car park. Unbelieveable!
6. Happy Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By U8982CDkarenm - Kirkwall, United Kingdom
What a lovely, serene & tranquil wooded area in the heart of Orkney. You can miss the entrance to the car park as not sign posted & car park is small so park with consideration. Lovely sign boards have been placed to advise of the story. Follow the clear paths through a mixed woodland (unique in Orkney) & along the tranquil stream with waterfalls & arches. Take time to stop, look & listen at the Stone benches & seats then follow the paths out at either end to work through shrub & grassland. It's amazing to visit in spring early summer when the woodland floor is carpeted in flowers
