Maeshowe Visitor Centre
About This Museum
Maeshowe isn't your typical museum; it's a gateway to one of Neolithic Europe's most incredible achievements. The star of the show is the chambered tomb itself, a monumental grass-covered mound that dominates the Orkney landscape. Inside, you'll find a feat of Stone Age engineering: a long, narrow passage leads to a central chamber built from colossal stone slabs. This place is as famous for its 3,000-year-old construction as it is for the Viking runes graffitiing its walls, left by Norse crusaders who broke in nearly a millennium ago.
Collection Highlights
The experience centers on the tomb, but the visitor centre prepares you with artifacts and context—think polished stone axes and pottery that hint at the lives of its builders. The real highlights, however, are intangible: witnessing the winter solstice sunlight pierce the dark passageway and deciphering stories left by Vikings who carved dragons and boasts into the ancient stone.
Visitor Information
Booking ahead is essential for the tomb tour—they only take small groups through the low passageway, so be ready to duck. The visitor centre itself provides a warm, modern hub with insightful exhibits and a café perfect for mulling over the profound history you've just encountered.
Architecture & Building
The main building is a sleek, low-lying modern structure of stone and glass, designed to respectfully complement rather than compete with the ancient landscape and the iconic grassy mound of Maeshowe itself.
Contact & Location
Address: Maeshowe Visitor Centre, Ireland Road, Stenness, Orkney Islands, Alba / Scotland, KW16 3LB, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 1856 851266
Website: Visit Website
