Back

Plan a route here

Museum · Orkney · 3 m open today

Orkney Museum

No ratings (yet)

Responsible for this content
Scapa Whisky

Orkney Museum.
Photo: Andrew Abbott, CC BY-SA, creativecommons.org/

The Orkney Museum, located in Kirkwall's historic Tankerness House, offers a comprehensive journey through Orkney's rich history—from the Stone Age to the present day.

Housed in a 16th-century townhouse opposite St Magnus Cathedral, the museum features exhibits on the Picts, Vikings, and more. Highlights include the Scar whalebone plaque from a Viking boat burial, a Pictish symbol stone, and the box that once held the remains of Saint Magnus. The museum also showcases artifacts from World War II, such as ration books and Italian POW crafts. Admission is free, and visitors can enjoy the museum's walled gardens and a small gift shop. (Orkney.com, Wikipedia, NorthLink Ferries)

Opening times

open today

Monday	10:30–17:00
Tuesday	10:30–17:00
Wednesday	10:30–17:00
Thursday	10:30–17:00
Friday	10:30–17:00
Saturday	10:30–17:00

Responsible for this content
Scapa Whisky

Public transport

Local buses by Stagecoach connect Kirkwall with Stromness, Deerness, and the airport.

Get Timetable to destination

Orkney Museum

Directions

The Orkney Museum is a short walk from the Kirkwall Travel Centre.

Parking

There’s no dedicated parking at the Orkney Museum, but nearby public car parks include Albert Street, Castle Street, and St Magnus Lane—all just a short walk away. Disabled bays are available.

Coordinates

OS Grid

HY 44860 10873

58.981437, -2.960954

DMS

58°58'53.2"N 2°57'39.4"W

UTM

30V 502244 6537985

w3w

///shops.fond.bolsters

Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

Recommendations nearby

Hiking Trail · Orkney

Hike from Model Yacht Lake

Difficulty difficult

Distance 17.8 km

Duration 4:25 h

Ascent 137 m

Descent 133 m

No ratings (yet)

Outdooractive Creative Commons

Hiking Trail · Orkney

Hiking round trip around Peedie Sea from Peedie Sea via Chambered Cairn, Bay of Firth, and Walliwall Quarry

Difficulty difficult

Distance 21.5 km

Duration 5:20 h

Ascent 219 m

Descent 217 m

No ratings (yet)

Outdooractive Creative Commons

Bicycle Rides · Orkney

Scenic cycling round trip on EuroVelo 12 - North Sea Cycle Route - part United Kingdom 9 from Kirkwall via Burray, St Margaret's Hope, and St Mary’s

Difficulty difficult

Distance 74.8 km

Duration 5:20 h

Ascent 632 m

Descent 634 m

No ratings (yet)

Outdooractive Creative Commons

Hiking Trail · Orkney

Short hiking round trip around Summerdale Park via the Peedie Sea

Difficulty easy

Distance 3.9 km

Duration 1:00 h

Ascent 40 m

Descent 41 m

No ratings (yet)

Outdooractive Creative Commons

Bicycle Rides · Orkney

Demanding Cycling Round Trip from Kirkwall via Cursiter, Finstown, and Norseman Village

Difficulty difficult

Distance 107.6 km

Duration 7:35 h

Ascent 710 m

Descent 710 m

No ratings (yet)

Outdooractive Creative Commons

Hiking Trail · Orkney

Scenic hike to Mid Hill and Wideford Hill via South Rusky Hill

Difficulty difficult

Distance 20.9 km

Duration 5:55 h

Ascent 552 m

Descent 661 m

No ratings (yet)

Outdooractive Creative Commons

Hiking Trail · Orkney

Short hike to Kirkwall

Difficulty moderate

Distance 7 km

Duration 1:45 h

Ascent 10 m

Descent 70 m

No ratings (yet)

Outdooractive Creative Commons

Bicycle Rides · The Highlands

Demanding Cycling Tour on EuroVelo 12 – North Sea Cycle Route, Part United Kingdom 9: From Foghorn to Kirkwall via St Margaret's Hope, Burray, and Kirbister

Difficulty difficult

Distance 125.9 km

Duration 8:45 h

Ascent 752 m

Descent 750 m

No ratings (yet)

Outdooractive Creative Commons

Show all on map

User Questions

Don't see what you need here?

Ask a question and get an answer from the author, the official DMO or the community.

No ratings (yet)

Be the first to leave a rating or write a review!

Share your experiences and advice to help millions of people find and plan their next outdoor adventure.

Rating submitted

Homepage

Orkney Museum

Website Phone

Broad St
KW15 1DH Kirkwall
Orkney
+44 1856 873191 https://www.orkneymuseums.co.uk/our-museums/the-orkney-museum/

Place to visit

Questions and answers

10-day forecast

My Map
Content
Show images Hide images

Features

Maps and trails

Hiking Trail · Orkney

Short hike along Peedie Sea

Difficulty easy

Distance 5 km

Duration 1:10 h

Ascent 1 m

Descent 63 m

No ratings (yet)

Outdooractive Creative Commons

Hiking Trail · Orkney

Hiking round trip around Peedie Sea via Kirkwall

Difficulty difficult

Distance 16.7 km

Duration 4:00 h

Ascent 15 m

Descent 18 m

No ratings (yet)

Outdooractive Creative Commons

Pilgrim Trail · Orkney

St Magnus' Way

recommended route Difficulty difficult

Distance 105.5 km

Duration 26:39 h

Ascent 960 m

Descent 953 m

St Magnus’ Way – 65 miles / 105 kms – 6-7 days - Egilsey to St Magnus’ Cathedral

No ratings (yet)

from British Pilgrimage, British Pilgrimage Trust

Hiking Trail · Orkney

Short hiking round trip around Summerdale Park via the Peedie Sea

Difficulty easy

Distance 3.9 km

Duration 1:00 h

Ascent 40 m

Descent 41 m

No ratings (yet)

Outdooractive Creative Commons

Jogging · Orkney

Short Running Round Trip Around Kirkwall

Difficulty easy

Distance 4.9 km

Duration 0:45 h

Ascent 47 m

Descent 47 m

No ratings (yet)

Outdooractive Creative Commons

Bicycle Rides · Orkney

Cycling Round Trip Around Loch of Stenness from Stromness via Clouston, Finstown, and Kirkwall

Difficulty moderate

Distance 53 km

Duration 3:35 h

Ascent 148 m

Descent 148 m

No ratings (yet)

Outdooractive Creative Commons

Hiking Trail · Orkney

Hike from Orphir to Kirkwall via Kirbister, Hobbister, and Foveran

Difficulty difficult

Distance 20 km

Duration 5:05 h

Ascent 156 m

Descent 194 m

No ratings (yet)

Outdooractive Creative Commons

Hiking Trail · Orkney

Scenic hike to Mid Hill and Wideford Hill via South Rusky Hill

Difficulty difficult

Distance 20.9 km

Duration 5:55 h

Ascent 552 m

Descent 661 m

No ratings (yet)

Outdooractive Creative Commons

8 Routes nearby