Skara Brae Prehistoric Village

Orkney’s premier historic attraction just happens to be a World Heritage Site too!

Skara Brae was a thriving village long before Stonehenge or even the Egyptian pyramids were built. Visit this, the best- preserved Neolithic Village in Western Europe to gain an understanding of how Stone Age humans lived in 3000 BC. With ten – one roomed houses to explore this fantastic attraction is guaranteed to provide a great day out for you and your family. Step inside a replica Neolithic house to see how its interior might have looked and gain an impression of day to day life 5000 years ago. Walk down the path that overlooks the ancient buildings, imagining what life was like for the farmers, hunters and fishermen who lived here in this ancient landscape. The prehistoric houses still contain stone ‘dressers’ and box-beds, the “fitted furniture” of the day. Visit the Visitor Centre and see artefacts unearthed at the site, including tools, jewellery such as beads, necklaces , pins and pendants, pottery, carved stone artefacts and dice. Interestingly, no evidence of weapons was found, suggesting a very peaceful way of life. There is a “Taste Our Best” café situated within the visitor centre which serves home-made baking from a wide range of locally-sourced ingredients. Open daily from April to October (and limited dates in November).

Skara Brae still remains a place of discovery , being part of the The Heart of Neolithic Orkney and lying within a wider archaeological landscape which is rich with remains from Neolithic times and many later periods of Orcadian history.

Entry to Skara Brae includes admission to Skaill House, Orkney’s finest mansion, dating from the 17^th century and home of William Graham Watt, 7th Laird of Breckness, who excavated the World famous neolithic village of Skara Brae after it was first partially unearthed during a storm in 1850.