Maeshowe Visitor Centre — Attraction in Scotland

Not what you expect. I was disappointed to hear they'd moved from the old centre and were using buses to ferry to site. I was also shocked to see the online booking lists. BOOKING WELL IN ADVANCE, A MONTH, IS VITAL.

Its is worth dropping by in person if you can't book, the staff really do try their best for drop-in visitors. There are no guarantees though and you may have several visits to see the Howe. That really depends on cancellations and opportunities too...

I've been a few times over the years. The tour is very much as it ever was. My young kids enjoyed it and talked about it for the whole holiday. Spotting mounds in every field and shouting Maeshowe on every pass.

The exhibition in a conservatory... yup... is actually really good and offers some fantastic exhibits to see and understand.

Can't recommend the staff enough. They did a great job, happy kids, happy wife, happy me. The shop is quite good too, but lacks serious catering facilities. A few biscuits and a small commercial press button coffee machine.

No photos inside the tomb. A must visit...

We visited the Visitor Centre in order to check in our tickets, and take our places on the shuttle bus to Maeshowe, the 5000 year old neolithic tomb, the largest construction of its type and age in NW Europe. We enjoyed meeting Rob, who was to be our guide for the 1.00 pm tour. He was an excellent guide, and established an easy rapport with the busload of us. The only downside of the tour, after the 600yard walk to the actual tomb, was the entry gateway which is apparently only 1metre high, for 10metres in length. I was not used to such constriction, and was glad to have been wearing a cap at the time! Rob entertained us for some 45 minutes, talking about both the Neolithic constru tion and the Viking graffiti. On return to the visitor centre, Rob then settled down with a lady of maturer years, who had not been able to make the trip, and gave her a version of his talk, illustrated by pictures on a tv screen presentation. That made quite an impression on us. Parking and toilet facilities are available, with gift and bookshop. Photos in the tomb are...

Maeshowe can only be visited by PRE BOOKING A TOUR. We were fortunate to discover this early on our Orkney trip and were able to get a last minute tour spot. This was in the shoulder season (September) and I would recommend securing a tour booking before going to Orkney.

The tour originates at a visitor centre that has a little gift shop and history in Maeshowe, and a VR experience. Then, a short bus ride brings you to a short path that leads to the entrance. Our guide gave us the rundown on the history from Pictish ceremonial burial site (probably) to more recent Viking graffiti covering the walls. The tour takes about an hour. I’m more of an “explore it on my own and read about it before or after” adventurer, but the tour was punchy and informative. This was the most “touristy” visit next to Skara Brae on Orkney.

This is absolutely worth doing and recommended! While you’re in the area, plan to visit the Standing Stones or Stenness and the...