Midhowe Broch & Chambered Cairn
A long Neolithic chambered tomb and an Iron Age broch on the west coast of Rousay, known as the “Ship of the Dead.” A popular choice for a day trip to Orkney's outer islands.
Midhowe Chambered Cairn is about 32 m long. Its interior is divided by standing stones into 12 pairs of compartments, and 25 sets of remains were found here. It is now protected by a large hangar-like building, and you can look down on it from a walkway above. Nearby on the shore is the well-preserved Midhowe Broch. Rousay is known as the “Egypt of the North,” and there are several other chambered tombs along its coast. Take a ferry from Tingwall to Rousay, about 30 minutes, then drive about 10 km along the island's loop road. Entry is free.
Opening hours
Open all day; free admission
Nearby sights
- Broch of Gurness
- Maeshowe
- Barnhouse Settlement
- Standing Stones of Stenness
- Ring of Brodgar
- Earl's Palace, Birsay
- Kirkwall Old Town & Harbour
- The Orkney Museum