But archaeology is all around you in Orkney, with ancient sites and attractions to be found almost everywhere. Hatston Industrial Estate on the outskirts of Kirkwall is no different, and tucked away in amongst its many businesses is the incredible Grain Earth House.

This subterranean structure was built during the Iron Age and was possibly used to store food. From the outside it resembles a lot of Orkney's archaeological sites - it's a simple, grassy mound - but once you open the door to the stairs below, you really feel like you're stepping into another era.

The earth house is around two metres under the surface, at the end of a five-metre-long curving passageway. The stone work throughout is exquisite and the main chamber itself is tall enough to stand up in, with its roof supported by four huge stone pillars,

The earth house was first uncovered in the early 1800s and shards of pottery, antler, and animal remains were found inside. Excavations in the nearby area have revealed other structures, so it could have been part of a wider settlement.

Grain Earth House is one of those unique Orkney attractions. It's free to visit and open all-year-round. Prepare to get your knees dirty as it's a fairly snug fit, but it's worth it for the chance to experience ancient Orkney with no queues, custodians, or tickets - just open the door and travel back in time.

Visitor information

To visit Grain Earth House, first pick up the key and a torch from the Judith Glue shop on Broad Street in Kirkwall.