Ring of Brodgar & Maeshowe

Ring of Brodgar & Maeshowe

2.5 hours | Orkney Islands (Kirkwall) | K O I - 2 1 5
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$ 164.95
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Description

Points of Interest

  • Ring of Brodgar
  • Maeshowe
Moderate activity

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Board your motorcoach for the drive to "The Heart of Neolithic Orkney," a UNESCO World Heritage site located near Kirkwall. After touring the Visitor Center, break into small groups to enter Maeshowe Tomb, three stone chambers concealed beneath a massive mound of earth. The "Tomb" was empty save for a human skull when first opened in 1861. The winter sun illuminates the rear wall of the main chamber on the winter solstice. The nearby Ring of Brodgar is the third largest circular stone henge in northern Europe after Stonehenge and Avebury. The circle originally comprised more than 60 standing megaliths; today only 27 remain. The Ring is over 340 feet in diameter, and a number of its surviving stones align with the sun and the surrounding hills on both solstices. After your visit, board your coach for the return drive to Kirkwall.

Special Notes:

Visitors to Maeshowe Tomb must negotiate a low narrow stone passage to enter the Tomb. Entry into the tomb is not recommended for guests uneasy with closed spaces. Photography not permitted inside Maeshowe.

Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a hat and a light waterproof jacket or windbreaker.

Historic Scotland Steward will conduct tour at Maeshowe.

Bring local currency or credit cards for additional purchases.

Medical Restriction:

Not recommend for a passenger in a wheelchair or with walking difficulties. The stop at the Ring of Brodgar involves a walk of approximately 400 yards over rough, unpaved terrain including a couple of short slopes. The Maeshowe Tomb can only accessed via a low, narrow stone passage (approximate height 4 feet, width 2.5 feet, length 39 feet) - it is not possible to walk upright in the passage and entry is not recommended for guests who are uneasy with closed spaces. This tour involves changing from a full size coach to a mini-coach at the Ring of Brodgar as full-size vehicles cannot park at Maeshowe.

Details

Tour timeline may vary to avoid overcrowding, etc.

Depart quayside Kirkwall on narrated drive to Ring of Brodgar for guided tour

Transport type: Non Air Conditioned Motorcoach
Transport Capacity: 47
Travel time: 00:20
Time at site: 00:35
Inside visit: Yes
Air conditioned: No
Walking distance: 300
Restroom available: Yes
Shopping available: No
Photo/video restrictions: No
Photo/video opportunity: No

Transfer to and visit Maeshowe Chambered Tomb

Transport type: Non Air Conditioned Motorcoach
Transport Capacity: 47
Travel time: 00:05
Time at site: 01:15
Inside visit: Yes
Air conditioned: No
Walking distance: 300
Restroom available: No
Shopping available: Yes
Photo/video restrictions: Yes
Photo/video opportunity: No

Depart for quayside Kirkwall & rejoin your ship

Transport type: Non Air Conditioned Motorcoach
Transport Capacity: 47
Travel time: 00:15
Inside visit: No
Air conditioned: No
Restroom available: No
Shopping available: No
Photo/video restrictions: No
Photo/video opportunity: No