Orkney Museum

About the museum

The Orkney Museum occupies Tankerness House, a Category A listed group of buildings opposite St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall. The oldest parts date from the early sixteenth century, when the north and south wings served as houses for the cathedral clergy. After the Reformation they were bought by Gilbert Foulzie, who in 1574 added a wing and the arched gateway on Broad Street that carries his coat of arms. The Baikie family of Tankerness owned the house from 1642 until 1951, when it was sold to Kirkwall Burgh Council.

The building opened as a museum in 1968 under the name Tankerness House Museum and took its present name in 1999. It is run by Orkney Islands Council and gives an overview of Orkney's history from the Stone Age through the Picts and Vikings to modern times. The archaeology collection, with around 100,000 objects spanning more than 5,000 years, is recognised as nationally significant.

Displays include stone tools from Isbister chambered cairn, Bronze Age metalwork, Pictish symbol stones and grave goods from the Scar Viking boat burial. The Baikie library and drawing room preserve nineteenth-century rooms from the family home, and the social history galleries cover local traditions, with a small research area holding old photographs, films and documents.

Highlights

• Nationally significant archaeology collection
• Grave goods from the Scar Viking boat burial
• Pictish symbol stones
• Baikie Library and Drawing Room
• Social history galleries and old photographs
• Free entry in a Category A listed house

Permanent exhibitions

• Archaeology collection – Finds from Orkney's prehistory to the post-medieval period, including stone tools from Isbister, Bronze Age metalwork, Pictish stones and the Scar boat burial.
• Baikie Library and Drawing Room – Nineteenth-century rooms from the Baikie family home, showing how the house looked when it was lived in.
• Social history galleries – Galleries on local traditions and the human stories of Orkney over the past several hundred years.

Founded

1968

Operated by

Orkney Islands Council

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free and donations are welcome; the suggested donation is £5.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The main entrance is through an arched gate into a courtyard, and there is an accessible door from Tankerness House Gardens where staff can assist. Some galleries are upstairs and are reached by stair lifts on request. Accessible toilets are next to the entrance, and an induction loop is at reception. The old building has uneven surfaces and low doors. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The museum describes a large collection of old photographs and activities for younger visitors.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in central Kirkwall, opposite St Magnus Cathedral; entry is through the arched gate from Broad Street into a small courtyard.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum shop sells books and gifts, including local crafts.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Space in the museum can be hired for events or pop-up exhibitions by arrangement with the museum.

Plan your visit