Orkney
The Viking Village Birsay
Welcome
The ruins of Viking longhouses at Birsay.
These Norse invaders arrived around the year 800 and quickly made Orkney their permanent home. Before that, this special spot was home to the Picts and the replica of a carved Pictish stone found here stands amongst the stones. Among the remains are Norse homes, an unfinished monastery and, in one corner, the traces of a Viking sauna. They would heat up rocks in a fire before pouring water over them, just like in modern saunas.
Close by
Brough of BirsayA tidal island of Pictish and Norse ruins, reached only at low water.2 miles4 min by road
Kirbuster Farm MuseumThe last unrestored firehoose in northern Europe, with the peat still lit.4 miles8 min by road
Skara BraeA 5,000-year-old stone village by the Bay of Skaill, its houses still furnished with stone dressers, beds and hearths.8 miles16 min by road
Orkney FestivalsFestivals across the Orkney Isles, month by month, from May to November.8 miles13 min by road
The Aurora Borealis in OrkneyThe aurora borealis, or northern lights, is a wonder to see in the night sky8 miles13 min by road
Hidden Scotland, the magazine
Scotland, in print.
Every photograph commissioned, every word written by somebody who went. Printed twice a year, made in Scotland.