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Skaill House

Heritage Site in Orkney

Scotland

Skaill House

Skara Brae - 1979 Skara Brae is a large stone-built Neolithic settlement, located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. It consists of ten clustered houses, and was occupied from roughly 3180 BC–2500 BC. Europe's most complete Neolithic village, Skara Brae gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status as one of four sites comprising "The Heart of Neolithic Orkney." Older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids, it has been called the "Scottish Pompeii" because of its excellent preservation.
Skara Brae - 1979 Credit: Helmut Zozmann

Skaill House is a historic mansion located on the west coast of Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. It is considered one of the finest examples of a 17th-century mansion in the region. The house is situated near the famous Skara Brae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and together they provide visitors with a fascinating glimpse into Orkney's rich history.

Built in 1620 by Bishop George Graham, Skaill House has undergone various modifications over the centuries. The architecture of the house reflects a mix of styles, including Scottish vernacular, Georgian, and Victorian. The exterior features striking crow-stepped gables, while the interior boasts grand reception rooms adorned with ornate plasterwork and period furniture.

Today, Skaill House is open to the public as a heritage site, allowing visitors to explore its many rooms and learn about its intriguing past. The house is filled with an extensive collection of artifacts, paintings, and historical memorabilia, giving visitors a comprehensive understanding of the house's role in Orkney's history.

In addition to the house itself, Skaill House offers beautiful gardens and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the picturesque grounds, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and taking in the breathtaking scenery.

Skaill House stands as a testament to Orkney's rich cultural heritage and provides visitors with an immersive experience, allowing them to step back in time and gain a deeper appreciation for the region's history and architecture.

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Skaill House Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.047/-3.333 or Grid Reference HY2318. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Skara Brae - 1979 Skara Brae is a large stone-built Neolithic settlement, located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. It consists of ten clustered houses, and was occupied from roughly 3180 BC–2500 BC. Europe's most complete Neolithic village, Skara Brae gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status as one of four sites comprising "The Heart of Neolithic Orkney." Older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids, it has been called the "Scottish Pompeii" because of its excellent preservation.
Skara Brae - 1979
Skara Brae is a large stone-built Neolithic settlement, located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. It consists of ten clustered houses, and was occupied from roughly 3180 BC–2500 BC. Europe's most complete Neolithic village, Skara Brae gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status as one of four sites comprising "The Heart of Neolithic Orkney." Older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids, it has been called the "Scottish Pompeii" because of its excellent preservation.
Skara Brae - 1979 Skara Brae is a large stone-built Neolithic settlement, located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. It consists of ten clustered houses, and was occupied from roughly 3180 BC–2500 BC. Europe's most complete Neolithic village, Skara Brae gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status as one of four sites comprising "The Heart of Neolithic Orkney." Older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids, it has been called the "Scottish Pompeii" because of its excellent preservation.
Skara Brae - 1979
Skara Brae is a large stone-built Neolithic settlement, located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. It consists of ten clustered houses, and was occupied from roughly 3180 BC–2500 BC. Europe's most complete Neolithic village, Skara Brae gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status as one of four sites comprising "The Heart of Neolithic Orkney." Older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids, it has been called the "Scottish Pompeii" because of its excellent preservation.
Bay of Skaill - 1979 The Bay of Skaill is a small bay on the west coast of the Orkney Mainland, Scotland. Bay of Skaill is the location of the famous Neolithic settlement, Skara Brae, and a large residence, Skaill House, the property of the laird on whose estate Skara Brae was discovered.
Bay of Skaill - 1979
The Bay of Skaill is a small bay on the west coast of the Orkney Mainland, Scotland. Bay of Skaill is the location of the famous Neolithic settlement, Skara Brae, and a large residence, Skaill House, the property of the laird on whose estate Skara Brae was discovered.
Bay of Skaill - 1979 The Bay of Skaill is a small bay on the west coast of the Orkney Mainland, Scotland. Bay of Skaill is the location of the famous Neolithic settlement, Skara Brae, and a large residence, Skaill House, the property of the laird on whose estate Skara Brae was discovered.
Bay of Skaill - 1979
The Bay of Skaill is a small bay on the west coast of the Orkney Mainland, Scotland. Bay of Skaill is the location of the famous Neolithic settlement, Skara Brae, and a large residence, Skaill House, the property of the laird on whose estate Skara Brae was discovered.
Bay of Skaill - 1979 Bay of Skaill and Knowe of Verron seen from Skara Brae. The Bay of Skaill is a small bay on the west coast of the Orkney Mainland, Scotland. Bay of Skaill is the location of the famous Neolithic settlement, Skara Brae, and a large residence, Skaill House, the property of the laird on whose estate Skara Brae was discovered.
Bay of Skaill - 1979
Bay of Skaill and Knowe of Verron seen from Skara Brae. The Bay of Skaill is a small bay on the west coast of the Orkney Mainland, Scotland. Bay of Skaill is the location of the famous Neolithic settlement, Skara Brae, and a large residence, Skaill House, the property of the laird on whose estate Skara Brae was discovered.
Bay of Skaill Looking across the Bay from its rocky west end.
Bay of Skaill
Looking across the Bay from its rocky west end.
Bay of Skaill Balanced stones on the shore. Natural rock arch just visible in distant headland.
Bay of Skaill
Balanced stones on the shore. Natural rock arch just visible in distant headland.
Bay of Skaill Waves breaking onto the sandy beach below Skara Brae.
Bay of Skaill
Waves breaking onto the sandy beach below Skara Brae.
Sandwick: telephone box on the B9055 This red phone box stands outside the house which, according to some older maps, was the location of Sandwick Post Office, now long gone. The Loch of Skaill is in the background.
Sandwick: telephone box on the B9055
This red phone box stands outside the house which, according to some older maps, was the location of Sandwick Post Office, now long gone. The Loch of Skaill is in the background.
Skara Brae: Bay of Skaill beach Looking along the beach from above the Skara Brae archaeological site. Someone has created a shapely pillar of stones in the foreground.
Skara Brae: Bay of Skaill beach
Looking along the beach from above the Skara Brae archaeological site. Someone has created a shapely pillar of stones in the foreground.
Skara Brae: one of the houses A truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. Here, we look across one of the houses, with typical central hearth and a few rooms and stone furniture surrounding it. Skaill Bay is in the background.
Skara Brae: one of the houses
A truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. Here, we look across one of the houses, with typical central hearth and a few rooms and stone furniture surrounding it. Skaill Bay is in the background.
Skara Brae: earthworks A truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. Here we look across the site, towards Skaill Bay, with one of the passageways of the village in the foreground.
Skara Brae: earthworks
A truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. Here we look across the site, towards Skaill Bay, with one of the passageways of the village in the foreground.
Skara Brae: one house and a bay view A truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. Here, we look towards Skaill Bay across one of the dwellings at the western edge of the site.
Skara Brae: one house and a bay view
A truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. Here, we look towards Skaill Bay across one of the dwellings at the western edge of the site.
Skara Brae: westernmost house A truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. This is the most westerly house, displayed particularly intact, with the hearth as the typical centrepiece and stone furniture and various small rooms surrounding it. The southern shore of the Bay of Skaill is in the background.
Skara Brae: westernmost house
A truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. This is the most westerly house, displayed particularly intact, with the hearth as the typical centrepiece and stone furniture and various small rooms surrounding it. The southern shore of the Bay of Skaill is in the background.
Skara Brae: inside a Neolithic house Skara Brae is a truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. Here, by the visitor centre a short distance from the site itself, a simulation dwelling has been reconstructed to give an impression of what the house would have been like in its original, covered state. We are looking through the doorway and see in front of us the central hearth, with a stone cupboard facing us.
Skara Brae: inside a Neolithic house
Skara Brae is a truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. Here, by the visitor centre a short distance from the site itself, a simulation dwelling has been reconstructed to give an impression of what the house would have been like in its original, covered state. We are looking through the doorway and see in front of us the central hearth, with a stone cupboard facing us.
Gateway to Skaill House The house dates back to the 17th century. Extensive alterations were made during the 1950s and the parts that are open to the public reflect that era.
Gateway to Skaill House
The house dates back to the 17th century. Extensive alterations were made during the 1950s and the parts that are open to the public reflect that era.
Bay of Skaill The Bay of Skaill,Orkney taken from the Neolithic site of Skara Brae.
Bay of Skaill
The Bay of Skaill,Orkney taken from the Neolithic site of Skara Brae.
Bay of Skaill from Skara Brae
Bay of Skaill from Skara Brae
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Skaill House is located at Grid Ref: HY2318 (Lat: 59.047, Lng: -3.333)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///adapt.swam.hush. Near Sandwick, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Skaill House

Related Wikis

Skaill House
Skaill House

Skaill House is a historic manor house in Sandwick parish on Mainland, the largest of the Orkney Islands, Scotland. The house overlooks the neolithic site...

Skara Brae
Skara Brae

Skara Brae is a stone-built Neolithic settlement, located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of Mainland, the largest island in the Orkney archipelago...

Loch of Skaill
Loch of Skaill

The Loch of Skaill is a small somewhat triangular, freshwater loch in the parish of Sandwick, Orkney on Mainland Orkney, Scotland. It lies 0.5 mi (0.80...

Bay of Skaill
Bay of Skaill

The Bay of Skaill (from Old Norse Bugr Skála) is a small bay on the west coast of the Orkney Mainland, Scotland. == Visitor attractions == Bay of Skaill...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.047,-3.333
Cafe
Skara Brae Cafe
Cuisine: international
Toilets: yes
Toilets Wheelchair: yes
Wheelchair: yes
Lat/Long: 59.0488434/-3.3357223
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bicycle Parking
Bicycle Parking: stands
Capacity: 14
Covered: no
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 59.0487566/-3.3354219
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bench
Backrest: yes
Lat/Long: 59.0492404/-3.3387068
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bench
Backrest: yes
Lat/Long: 59.0489134/-3.3396598
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Toilets
Access: customers
Fee: no
Level: 0
Wheelchair: no
Lat/Long: 59.0477655/-3.3364649
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Skara Brae
Level: 0
Shop: ticket
Wheelchair: yes
Lat/Long: 59.0489055/-3.335586
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Toilets
Access: permissive
Fee: no
Level: 0
Wheelchair: yes
Lat/Long: 59.0488944/-3.3356679
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Access: yes
Entrance: yes
Wheelchair: yes
Lat/Long: 59.0489093/-3.3355425
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Shop: gift
Toilets Wheelchair: yes
Wheelchair: yes
Lat/Long: 59.0489597/-3.3357159
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Shop: gift
Lat/Long: 59.0477057/-3.3364964
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0486145/-3.325325
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Crossing
Crossing: marked
Tactile Paving: no
Lat/Long: 59.0487575/-3.3351959
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Historic Scotland
Addr City: Sandwick
Addr Housename: Skaill House
Addr Postcode: KW16 3LR
Office: yes
Lat/Long: 59.0475914/-3.3365537
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0467951/-3.3409382
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0481588/-3.3360576
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0485599/-3.3352594
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0490236/-3.334367
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0495012/-3.3334352
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0499461/-3.3325884
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0503426/-3.3318084
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0508296/-3.3308948
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Defibrillator
Defibrillator Location: Skara Brae visitor centre. Inside porch.
Emergency: defibrillator
Indoor: yes
Lat/Long: 59.0490377/-3.3358307
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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Skara Brae Orkney

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