• The Ring of Brodgar, Orkney - image by Kenny Lam

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Four monuments. Five thousand years of history.

Orkney’s most famous archaeological treasures – Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness, and the Maeshowe chambered tomb – form the keystones of the UNESCO Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.

This prestigious UNESCO recognition – granted in 1999 - reflects the huge international significance of these four remarkable monuments and the role they play in helping us understand more about the culture and beliefs of Orkney’s sophisticated Neolithic society.

And, although not officially part of the World Heritage Site, the nearby Ness of Brodgar excavations and the Barnhouse Settlement only add to the importance of this ancient area.

All this world-class archaeology is extremely accessible, with the sites situated close together on the Orkney mainland. There are few places in the world where you can experience thousands of years of history in a single day.