Skara Brae
A visitor centre and 5,000-year-old Neolithic village on Orkney with a replica house, artefacts on display and a path above the original houses.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Skara Brae is a Neolithic village on the west coast of Orkney that dates back about 5,000 years, long before Stonehenge or the pyramids of Egypt. A storm first uncovered it in 1850, and it is the best-preserved group of ancient houses in Western Europe. Since 1999 it has been part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, and it is cared for by Historic Environment Scotland.
Nine houses survive, each with a single room of about 40 square metres, built of flat stone slabs set into mounds of midden and linked by covered passages. The houses still hold stone fittings such as dressers, box-beds and a central hearth. Nobody knows why village life ended around 2500 BC. The villagers were farmers, hunters and fishermen, and no weapons have been found.
Most of the objects found here are shown in the visitor centre, including gaming dice, tools, pottery and jewellery. A replica Neolithic house shows how a full interior may have looked, and a path above the village lets visitors view the original houses. Skaill House, a 17th-century mansion nearby, is run separately.
Highlights
- Best-preserved Neolithic village in Western Europe
- Replica Neolithic house with a full interior
- Artefacts such as gaming dice, tools and jewellery in the visitor centre
- Original stone dressers and box-beds in the houses
- Part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site
Permanent exhibitions
- Visitor centre exhibition – Most of the finds from Skara Brae are on display, including gaming dice, tools, pottery and jewellery.
- Replica Neolithic house – A full-size replica of a Neolithic house shows how the interior of the village houses might have looked.
- The Neolithic village – Nine surviving houses with stone dressers and box-beds, seen from a one-way path above the village.
- Founded
- 1925
- Operated by
- Historic Environment Scotland
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £14 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £11Concessions (aged 65 or over) |
| Children & teens | £7Child ticket for ages 7 to 15, £7 online and £8 on the day. |
| Seniors | £11Aged 65 or over; £13 on the day. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Visitors with disabilities pay the standard rates, and proof of disability is not required. Up to two carers per transaction enter free. |
| Families | –Family tickets are available; the price is shown during booking. |
| Scottish Young Person ticket (ages 7 to 25 with a Young Scot or National Entitlement Card) | £1 |
Best-value online prices are adult £14, concession £11 and child £7; on the day the prices are £16, £13 and £8. Entry to Skaill House is included from 1 April to 31 October; from November to March tickets cover Skara Brae only and cost less. Historic Environment Scotland members enter free, and Explorer Pass holders can book. Members of English Heritage, Cadw or Manx National Heritage receive free or discounted entry.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The visitor centre has ramped access and is level inside, with an adapted toilet. The village is about 500 metres from the visitor centre along a path of mainly resin-bound crushed stone with a timber latch gate. The route around the houses is one way on stone and grass paths, some only about 50 cm wide, with steps with handrails to some areas. Two benches are spaced along the path. Staff can help, and a limited number of ear defenders can be borrowed. Assistance dogs are allowed in all roofed areas.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Baby changing facilities
Family tickets are available, and the Orkney Digital Guide includes a fact-finding quiz for exploring the site. Baby changing facilities are listed. The child ticket starts at age 7.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The site is listed as accessible by public transport; Traveline Scotland can be used to plan the journey.
By car
Parking available
A level tarmac car park beside the visitor centre has accessible bays. There are no spaces for large campervans; phone the site to check whether the beach car park has room.
- Accessible parking
A bicycle rack and coach parking are listed. Skaill House is 140 metres from the visitor centre.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The visitor centre has a shop selling Orkney products and a family-friendly café that is open in the summer season. Self-service tea and coffee, toilets and water bottle refill are also listed.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|
