Graemsay

#7224 among destinations in the United Kingdom

Island

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Facts and practical information

Graemsay is a picturesque island located in the Orkney archipelago off the northern coast of Scotland. This small island is known for its rugged coastline, stunning cliffs, and beautiful sandy beaches, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

One of the main attractions on Graemsay is the Brough of Birsay, a small tidal island that can be accessed by foot at low tide. The Brough of Birsay is home to the remains of a Viking settlement, as well as a lighthouse and stunning views of the surrounding coastline.

In addition to its natural beauty, Graemsay also has a rich history waiting to be explored. The island is home to numerous archaeological sites, including ancient burial mounds and standing stones, which offer a fascinating glimpse into the island's past.

For those interested in birdwatching, Graemsay is a paradise, with a variety of seabirds and waders inhabiting the cliffs and shorelines. The island also offers excellent opportunities for fishing and sailing, providing visitors with the chance to experience the stunning coastal landscape from a different perspective.

Alternative names: Area: 1.58 mi²Coordinates: 58°56'2"N, 3°16'48"W

Location

ScotlandUnited Kingdom

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Day trips

Graemsay – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Ring of Brodgar, Stones of Stenness, Ness of Brodgar, Pier Arts Centre.

5 miN
Neolithic stone circle and circular ditch
Ring of Brodgar, Stenness
128 min walk • Nestled in the heart of the Neolithic landscape of Orkney, Scotland, the Ring of Brodgar is a prehistoric marvel that continues to captivate visitors from around the world. This ancient stone circle, located near the town of Stenness, is a monumental testament to the...
4.9 miNE
Prehistoric monument in a wild landscape
Stones of Stenness, Stenness
125 min walk • The Standing Stones of Stenness is a Neolithic monument five miles northeast of Stromness on the mainland of Orkney, Scotland. This may be the oldest henge site in the British Isles.
4.9 miNE
Historical place, Archaeological site
Ness of Brodgar, Stromness
126 min walk • The Ness of Brodgar is an archaeological site covering 2.5 hectares between the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site in Orkney, Scotland. Excavations at the site began in 2003.
2.1 miN
Museum, Art gallery, Shopping
Pier Arts Centre, Stromness
54 min walk • The Pier Arts Centre is an art gallery and museum in Stromness, Orkney, Scotland. It was established in 1979 to provide a home for an important collection of fine art donated to "be held in trust for Orkney" by the author, peace activist and philanthropist Margaret Gardiner.
4.6 miN
Conserved 4-mile-long brackish sea loch
Loch of Stenness, Stenness
117 min walk • The Loch of Stenness is a large brackish loch on Mainland, Orkney, Scotland and is named for the parish of Stenness. It is 2 miles northeast of the town of Stromness, lies immediately to the south of the Loch of Harray and is close to the World Heritage neolithic sites of the Stones of Stenness and Ring of Brodgar.
5.4 miNE
Historical place, Ruins,
Maeshowe, Stenness
139 min walk • Maeshowe is a Neolithic chambered cairn and passage grave situated on Mainland Orkney, Scotland. It was probably built around 2800 BC. In the archaeology of Scotland, it gives its name to the Maeshowe type of chambered cairn, which is limited to Orkney.
3.8 miN
Archaeological site
Unstan Chambered Cairn, Kirkwall
97 min walk • Unstan is a Neolithic chambered cairn located about 2 mi north-east of Stromness on Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. The tomb was built on a promontory that extends into the Loch of Stenness near the settlement of Howe.
5 miNE
Archaeological site
Barnhouse Village, Stenness
128 min walk • The Neolithic Barnhouse Settlement is sited by the shore of Loch of Harray, Orkney Mainland, Scotland, not far from the Standing Stones of Stenness, about 5 miles north-east of Stromness. It was discovered in 1984 by Colin Richards.
3.6 miS
Ruins, Mysterious site, Historical place
Dwarfie Stane, Hoy
93 min walk • The Dwarfie Stane is a megalithic chambered tomb carved out of a titanic block of Devonian Old Red Sandstone located in a steep-sided glaciated valley between the settlements of Quoys and Rackwick on Hoy, an island in Orkney, Scotland.
3.2 miSW
Massive hill for hiking and stunning views
Ward Hill, Hoy
81 min walk • Ward Hill is a hill on the island of Hoy in Orkney, Scotland. It lies at the north of the island between Moaness and Rackwick, and is the highest point in both Orkney and the Scottish Northern Isles at an elevation of 481 m.
5.4 miNE
Archaeological site,
Heart of Neolithic Orkney, Stenness
138 min walk • Heart of Neolithic Orkney refers to a group of Neolithic monuments found on the Mainland of the Orkney Islands, Scotland. The name was adopted by UNESCO when it proclaimed these sites as a World Heritage Site in December 1999.