Top Things to do in Mainland
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Top 8 Things to do for Honeymoon 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. 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.
3. Odin Tours of Orkney
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 54 reviews
We specialise in personalised private guided tours of Orkney. Every tour is unique and tailored to your interests and preferences. We can show you well known attractions and some off the beaten track treasures from our comfortable 7 seater touring vehicle. Our guests enjoy the exclusive services of a fully qualified driver guide. It is our aim to ensure you have a fantastic time in Orkney.
4. 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!
5. Ring of Brodgar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,342 reviews
This is the largest Neolithic standing stone circle in Scotland, which is more than 340 feet in diameter consisting of 25 stones, the largest of which is 15 feet in height.
Reviewed By U8982CDkarenm - Kirkwall, United Kingdom
Your step back in time starts at the car park - read the info & realise you're about to walk somewhere that has been there longer than the pyramids!! Stroll the paths to the ring of amazing standing stones (in winter you can't access the centre due to ground damage) however, the walk round the perimeter is awesome. Dwell on how these massive stones where moved from various parts of orkney - not just local. And reflect on their purpose & why they are there. Various single stones stand off from the ring & clear cut paths guide you. The views across both Harray & Stenness Loch complete the walk.
6. Highland Park Distillery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 552 reviews
Home of our award-winning single malt Scotch whisky, made in a traditional way by modern-day Vikings. Explore the stories behind our 18th century distillery in Kirkwall, founded by Magnus Eunson - a direct descendant of the Vikings who first made their home on Orkney over 1,000 years ago. We offer 4 different tours to cater for every interest and every budget - from a short visit to our working distillery with a dram or two in our visitor centre to an in-depth exploration of our whisky's birthplace and the opportunity to taste some of our finest, aged expressions. Advanced booking is required.
Reviewed By 178angusf
For those who like whisky, or are least interested in places with some history, or just enjoy learning about how things are produced, this is a great place to visit. There is a nice visitor centre, and several different types of tours available. The basic tour takes about an hour, and goes through each part of the distillery, including a short film and a wee tasting afterwards. An easy walk from the waterfront of Kirkwall - if you are in Kirkwall, don't miss this.
7. Saint Magnus Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,856 reviews
St Magnus Cathedral, built from red and yellow sandstone, is of international significance. This ‘fine minster’ took about 300 years to build, the foundations starting in 1137. It was dedicated to Magnus Erlendsson, Earl of Orkney. He shared the earldom with his cousin, Haakon Paulsson, but jealousy and greed culminated in Magnus being martyred on the island of Egilsay. Access is currently restricted so please be prepared to wait outside if it is busy and to limit your visit to 15 minutes max. We ask visitors to adhere to hygiene and physical distancing advice. It is mandatory to wear a face covering whilst in the building and we will ask for your contact details for the national Test and Protect system. There are no public toilet facilities available.
Reviewed By redeco - Warren, United States
Dedicated to St. Magnus, Earl of Orkney and patron saint of the Orkney Isles, the magnificent red sandstone cathedral was begun in 1137 and took roughly 300 years to complete. The church is dark and atmospheric with marvelous carvings including a stunning blind arcade with profuse carvings. Multiple tombs including St. Magnus' tomb are inside the cathedral. The church is Romanesque in style This important Medieval Cathedral is well worth a visit. Free admission; donations accepted. If you have the time, there is a charming churchyard with lots of ancient gravestones to see. Enjoy.
8. The Italian Chapel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,112 reviews
Reviewed By cumba68
Absolutely fell in love with this place. From the front it looks so tiny and I was surprised when I walked in to see how big it is. It is used for masses and weddings. The Italian Chapel consists of two Nissen huts transformed into a beautiful chapel by Domenico Chiocchetti and his colleagues, prisoners of war captured in North Africa and transported to the Island of Lambholm in Orkney. In October 1939 a German submarine under the command of Gunther Prien entered Scapa Flow and sank the British battleship 'Royal Oak' with the loss of 834 lives. Winston Churchill, at that time First Sea Lord, visited Orkney and the decision was taken to construct barriers to close off four of the entrances to Scapa Flow to make the base for the home fleet more secure. A shortage of manpower to construct the barriers coincided with the capture of thousands of Italian soldiers fighting in North Africa so a decision was taken to transport 550 men to Camp 60 on Lambholm and a similar number to Camp 34 on Burray. Following a request from the camp priest, Fr Giacobazzi, it was agreed that two Nissen huts would be joined together to provide a chapel. Among the Italians in Camp 60 was an artist, Domenico Chiocchetti, and he was given the task of transforming the two Nissen huts into a chapel. He was assisted by other tradesmen - in particular Giuseppe Palumbi a blacksmith, and Domenico Buttapasta a cement worker. Domenico Chiocchetti carried in this pocket a small prayer card given to him by his mother before he left his home in Italy and it was the image on that card of the Madonna and Child by Nicolo Barabino that Chiocchetti based his painting above the alter in the Chapel. Initially when he was commissioned to paint above the alter by the Camp Commandant, Major Buckland, he realised that the prisoner was a very talented artist and he was allowed to continue painting to make the building more attractive. Now, 70 years after the completion of the Chapel, it is one of Orkney's major tourist attractions. There is a strong friendship link with the town of Moena in Italy (the home of the artist) and Orkney and members of the family visit Orkney from time to time and a daughter, Letizia, is an Honorary President of the Preservation Committee. Antonella Papa, a restoration artist from Rome, who had previously done work in the Sistine Chapel spent some tiome here working in the Chapel refreshing areas of Chiocchetti's painting which has transformed the faded paint work and has left the Chapel looking fresh and beautiful again. In August 2014 three of the Station of the Cross were stolen. Replacement plaques were carved in Moena are in place in the Chapel but this has resulted in the installation of CCTV cameras which, it is hoped, will deter any further damage to the Chapel. The Preservation Committee do hope visitors will enjoy their time in the Chapel. A small booklet is available in English, Italian and German which, for a donation of £1.00 tells the story in words and pictures and gives a full explanation of the Chapel and its construction. Amazing construction and recycling of materials. Stained glass unavailable so two mirrors on the altar were painted to look like stained glass. Holy water font inside the door an old axle covered in concrete. To aid preservation of the interior We were told that number allowed in at one time limited to under 50 so that peoples breath do not interfere with the art work and you are asked not to touch the walls. £3 per person admission. From Kirkwall take a taxi or bus X1 to Margarets Hope passes here.
