Maeshowe Chambered Cairn
A 5,000-year-old Neolithic tomb, Maeshowe is famed for its winter solstice sun alignment and Viking runic inscriptions.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Witness the sun's magical alignment
Maeshowe Chambered Cairn
Best Time
Witness the sun's magical alignment
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A 5,000-year-old Neolithic tomb, Maeshowe is famed for its winter solstice sun alignment and Viking runic inscriptions.
"This incredible place could easily be overlooked from outside but inside the site is incredible."
🎯 Book Tickets Way Ahead!
Maeshowe tours sell out fast. Book online weeks in advance, especially for winter solstice.
🚶♀️ Guided Tour is Key
Entry is only via guided tour. Guides bring the history and significance of the cairn to life.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Winter Solstice Alignment
Entrance Passage
Witness the magical setting sun illuminate the tomb's inner wall during the winter solstice. A truly ancient spectacle.
Norse Runes
Inner Walls
Discover ancient runic inscriptions carved by Vikings who sheltered here centuries ago. A unique historical layer.
Neolithic Architecture
Main Chamber
Marvel at the sophisticated engineering of this 5,000-year-old chambered cairn, predating the pyramids.
+1Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Ahead for Maeshowe
Winter Solstice Spectacle
+1Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Book Tickets Way Ahead!
Maeshowe tours sell out fast. Book online weeks in advance, especially for winter solstice. +1
🚶♀️ Guided Tour is Key
Entry is only via guided tour. Guides bring the history and significance of the cairn to life. +1
📸 No Internal Photos
Photography is not permitted inside the cairn to preserve the ancient site.
🤏 Squeeze Through
Be prepared for a tight squeeze to enter the main chamber. Not ideal for those with severe claustrophobia.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Book Tickets Way Ahead!
Maeshowe tours sell out fast. Book online weeks in advance, especially for winter solstice. +1
🚶♀️ Guided Tour is Key
Entry is only via guided tour. Guides bring the history and significance of the cairn to life. +1
📸 No Internal Photos
Photography is not permitted inside the cairn to preserve the ancient site.
🤏 Squeeze Through
Be prepared for a tight squeeze to enter the main chamber. Not ideal for those with severe claustrophobia.
🚌 Visitor Centre First
Tours depart from the visitor centre. You'll take a bus to the actual site.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Maeshowe as an incredible and awe-inspiring site, with guides often highlighted for their passion and knowledge that bring the ancient tomb to life. The unique blend of Neolithic and Viking history is a major draw, though the strict no-photography rule inside and the paid entry are noted drawbacks compared to free alternatives.
"This incredible place could easily be overlooked from outside but inside the site is incredible. Incredible also is how this site is astronomically related to many other sites across the local landscape. Our guide was excellent! Her enthusiasm, passion and knowledge made the place come alive. It was easy to imagine bygone people using the site in different ways. Highly recommend a visit. 👍👍👍"
D F
"We booked well in advance and glad we did. You visit the visitors centre first and hop on a bus that takes you here. Its a short walk from the main road and then a little squeeze and you're in the tomb!
Out tour guide was informative and shared lots in the history of the cairn, highlighting interesting art and graffiti carved onto the walls.
Only critique is that its a paid visit (there are loads of other cairns in Orkney that are equally old and spectacular that are free to visit) and that no internal pictures are allowed."
Kieron Murphy
"This was the highlight of our trip to Orkney. The one hour guided tour was excellent. Be sure to book your tix well in advance!"
Chrystal Skead
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Maeshowe is located on Mainland Orkney. Access is via a guided tour that departs from the Maeshowe Visitor Centre. You'll take a short bus ride from the visitor centre to the cairn itself.
Yes, there is parking available at the Maeshowe Visitor Centre. From there, your tour will transport you to the cairn.
While the cairn is situated in farmland, the official access is via the guided tour departing from the visitor centre. The walk from the main road to the cairn is short once you've been transported there.
Maeshowe is part of the 'Heart of Neolithic Orkney' UNESCO World Heritage site, which also includes Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, and the Stones of Stenness.
The entrance to the main chamber involves a tight squeeze, which may be challenging for individuals with severe claustrophobia or mobility issues. The guided tour provides an excellent overview.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Tickets for Maeshowe must be booked in advance, ideally several weeks ahead, especially during peak season or for the winter solstice. Bookings are made through Historic Environment Scotland. +1
Yes, Orkney has many other ancient cairns that are free to visit and equally spectacular, such as Unstan Chambered Cairn.
Maeshowe operates on a tour basis, with specific departure times from the visitor centre. Check the Historic Environment Scotland website for the most current tour schedules.
While it's sometimes possible to get tickets on the day if there's a cancellation, it's not recommended to rely on this. Booking in advance is strongly advised.
The guided tour of Maeshowe typically lasts about one hour, providing ample time to explore the cairn and learn about its history. +1
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
No, photography is strictly prohibited inside the Maeshowe Chambered Cairn to protect the ancient carvings and delicate environment.
Inside, you'll see the main chamber with its impressive stone slabs, side cells, and the famous runic inscriptions left by Vikings.
Around the winter solstice, the setting sun aligns perfectly with the entrance passage, casting a beam of light onto the far wall of the tomb.
Maeshowe is a Neolithic chambered cairn built over 5,000 years ago, predating the pyramids. It was later used by Vikings who left runic graffiti.
Absolutely! The guides are highly knowledgeable and passionate, making the history and significance of Maeshowe come alive. +1
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There are no food or dining facilities directly at the Maeshowe cairn itself. The visitor centre may have limited refreshments, but it's best to eat before or after your visit.
You'll find dining options in nearby towns like Stromness or Kirkwall. These towns offer a range of cafes, pubs, and restaurants.
📸 📸 Photography
While photography is forbidden inside, the exterior landscape surrounding Maeshowe is beautiful, especially with the rolling Orkney hills. The visitor centre area also offers good vantage points.
No, photography is not allowed inside the cairn, so you won't be able to photograph the famous Norse runes.
Early morning or late afternoon light can be beautiful for capturing the cairn nestled in the Orkney landscape.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Recommendation: Consider visiting during off-peak hours for a less crowded experience. While no internal photos are allowed, the visitor centre and the surrounding landscape offer opportunities for family photos. Pack snacks and drinks as there are no facilities at the cairn itself.
🏛️ History Buffs & Archaeology Enthusiasts
+1Highlight: The runic graffiti left by Norsemen in the 12th century is a remarkable historical record, providing personal insights into their lives and beliefs.
📸 Photographers
+1Tip: Focus on capturing the atmospheric beauty of the Orkney countryside and the imposing structure of the cairn from the outside. The visitor centre area also offers good vantage points for landscape photography.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Winter Solstice Phenomenon
+1 This alignment highlights the advanced understanding of astronomy possessed by the Neolithic people who constructed this tomb over 5,000 years ago, predating even the Egyptian pyramids. Visiting during this period offers a unique glimpse into ancient rituals and beliefs. However, due to its popularity, booking tours for the winter solstice requires extreme advance planning, often months ahead. Even on clear days outside this specific window, the entrance passage itself is a marvel of ancient engineering, hinting at the celestial significance of the site.
Pro Tip: While the solstice is magical, the cairn's historical and architectural significance can be appreciated year-round. The guides expertly explain the astronomical connections, even when the sun isn't perfectly aligned.
A Neolithic Masterpiece and Viking Graffiti
+1 The tomb consists of a long entrance passage leading to a central chamber with three side cells, designed to house the remains of ancestors. It's considered one of the finest examples of Neolithic architecture in Britain. Centuries after its abandonment, Maeshowe was discovered and broken into by Norsemen around 1153 AD. Seeking shelter from a storm, they spent the night within the tomb and, in a remarkable act of historical record-keeping, carved runic messages into the sandstone walls.
Key Takeaway: The combination of sophisticated Neolithic construction and the raw, historical graffiti from the Viking era makes Maeshowe a truly layered historical site.
Planning Your Visit: Tours and Practicalities
Your tour will begin at the Maeshowe Visitor Centre, where you'll receive an introduction before boarding a bus that takes you to the cairn. The walk from the drop-off point to the tomb is short. Be prepared for a tight squeeze to enter the main chamber, which might be a consideration for those with claustrophobia.
Insider Tip: While Maeshowe is a paid attraction, Orkney offers numerous other free Neolithic sites, such as Unstan Chambered Cairn, which provide a similar historical experience without the cost.
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