This museum in the former temperance hall has intriguing displays on various aspects of island history, including fishing, WWI, archaeology and shipwrecks. In an adjacent field a typical croft house is preserved.
Sanday Heritage Centre
Orkney
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
28.89 MILES
Constructed about 5000 years ago, Maeshowe is an extraordinary place, a Stone Age tomb built from enormous sandstone blocks, some of which weighed many…
23.89 MILES
Constructed from local red sandstone, Kirkwall's centrepiece, dating from the early 12th century, is among Scotland's most interesting cathedrals. The…
20.64 MILES
Six miles from the ferry on Rousay, mighty Midhowe Cairn has been dubbed the 'Great Ship of Death'. Built around 3500 BC and enormous, it's divided into…
14.34 MILES
By the seashore, this sturdy stone-built farmhouse and storeroom are solidly built testimony to crofting life on Papa Westray island…5500 years ago. An…
24.5 MILES
This distillery, South of Kirkwall's centre, is great to visit. Despite a dodgy Viking rebrand, it's a serious distillery that malts its own barley; see…
16.73 MILES
A half-mile west of Pierowall stands this sturdy ruined tower house, built in the 16th century by Gilbert Balfour, aide to Mary, Queen of Scots. The…
20.94 MILES
Here is a fine example of the drystone fortified towers that were both a status symbol for powerful farmers and useful protection from raiders some 2200…
28.98 MILES
At low tide – check tide times at any Historic Environment Scotland site – you can walk out to this windswept island, the site of extensive Norse ruins,…
Nearby Orkney attractions
2.18 MILES
There are several archaeological sites on Sanday, the most impressive being this chambered tomb, similar to Maeshowe and dating from the 3rd millennium BC…
5.91 MILES
Right at Sanday's northeastern tip, this is a major prehistoric funerary complex with over 500 graves from the Bronze Age as well as burial cairns and…
7.31 MILES
Just across the harbour from Whitehall is the small island of Papa Stronsay, where Earl Rognvald Brusason was murdered in 1046. The island is owned by a…
4. Eday Heritage & Visitor Centre
8.38 MILES
Set in a former church, this place has a range of local history exhibits, as well as an audiovisual display about tidal energy initiatives: there's a big…
9.15 MILES
In the centre of North Ronaldsay island, the New Kirk holds an interesting exhibition of B&W photos that document various aspects of North Ronaldsay life.
11.09 MILES
At the northern end of the island, this lighthouse is over 100ft high and one of many built across Scotland by the Stevenson family. A visitor centre and…
13.08 MILES
This uninhabited island just off the eastern shore of Papa Westray is notable for its three chambered cairns, the largest of which (South Cairn) is most…
13.63 MILES
This 18th-century seaweed shed has been impressively restored and holds an interesting exhibition on Papa Westray's history and craft traditions.