Maeshowe Chambered Cairn, Orkney (Scottish Highlands and Islands)
Chambered Cairn.
Summary
- 13th century buildings (or older)
- Gift shop
- Free car parking (on site)
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Food and Drinks
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Introduction
Maeshowe is the finest chambered tomb in north-west Europe and more than 5000 years old.
It was broken into in the mid-twelfth century by Viking crusaders who carved graffiti runes on the walls of the main chamber.
In 1999, Maeshowe was designated part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, along with Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness.
Open all year, Apr-Sep, daily 9.30-5.00; Oct-Mar, daily 9.30-4.30. Closed 25-26 Dec & 1-2 Jan. (Visits must be pre-booked). Admissions to Maeshowe are through a timed ticket that gives a set time for the start of the guided tour at Maeshowe. All visitors are required to book in at Tormiston Mill which is the Visitor Centre for Maeshowe.
History to the present day
The monumental chambered tomb of Maeshowe is simply the finest Neolithic building in NW Europe. Built around 5,000 years ago, it is a masterpiece of Neolithic design and stonework construction, not least for its use of massive individual stones. Creating such monumental architecture must have presented a major challenge to our remote ancestors, working without the benefit of metal tools or powered machinery. It also clearly represents a tremendous social commitment by them.
Maeshowe sits in one of the richest Neolithic landscapes in Europe. A place of stone circles, villages and burial monuments, where people lived, worshipped and honoured their dead. Alongside Maeshowe are other incredible survivals from that far-off age, including most notably the Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar and the village of Skara Brae. This richness was formally recognised in 1999 when these monuments were inscribed upon the World Heritage List as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site. Maeshowe hides its monumentality, for externally it appears just like a large grassy mound. (The word ‘howe’ derives from the Old Norse for a hill.) Only when we enter the single portal and walk stoopingly along its long stone passage and into the central, stone-built chamber do we become overawed by its atmosphere. Behind us only a small glint of light beckons. We feel remote from the outside world.
The central chamber is quite small, only 4.7m across, but everything else is monumental. Forming most of each wall of the 10m-long passage is a single, gigantic sandstone slab, weighing anything up to three tonnes. At each corner of the central chamber is a magnificent upright standing stone. And off the central chamber are three side cells, the floors, back walls and ceiling of which are single stone slabs.
Food and Drinks
Picnic area available.
Arrival information and how to find us
Address: , Scottish Highlands and Islands, , United Kingdom
The Stagecoach bus company in Orkney operate a regular bus service from Kirkwall to Stromness and other services throughout the islands. By car 9 miles west of Kirkwall, on the A965.
