Broch of Gurness in Kirkwall

This broch is actually accessible, so it was the first time I was able to see the inside of one of these intriguing Celtic buildings; and its one of the best preserved ones, too, you can clearly see the remains of the hearth and even parts of the staircase in between the two massive walls. A great experience!

Amazing hidden gem, right on the coast. Kevin who was the member of staff was so helpful.

Worth a look and a walk along the beach or road to the left. Looking over onto Rousay

Very interesting place, not much remains but whats there is good

You can Roam around with freedom I would recommend this site rather than scare brae

What a place to visit in Orkney Island in Scotland. Connect with piece of history.

Very interesting site. The staff was very kind and helpful in answering questions. The facilities are basic, only a small building with information on the site.

Nice and quiet when we were there,Really good and learnt so much.

Impressive site and the visit was made all the more educational by Kevin, who was pleasant, enthusiastic, passionate about archaeology and informative. Excellent. 5☆

Fascinating site full of history. We took a walk along the coast out the other side of the site, lots of bird life and even some seals.

I went here in the winter when there were no tours available. It was a quiet, cold and windy day, which helped add to the atmosphere of the place. Despite no tour guide, there were still plenty of signs to explain the history of the place, the people and archeological finds, etc. It was very enjoyable and very interesting. The view over to Rousay was also a fantastic bonus.

As good as Scara Brae and you can walk in the houses as well as the Broch!The gent in the museum where you pay was the best - entertaining and informative. 5*

Amazing story behind this place. Freindly and knowledgeable staff giving further information about the building and parts thereof. Well worth a visit.

Visited here on 9th August 2022. What a fantastic place! To begin with, the historical Scotland employee was a friendly, enthusiastic guy full of information. He really brought the history alive, not only of the Broch but of Orkney.Our dog was welcome which was a real bonus. It was fabulous to be able to walk right into and around the broch.Well worth a visit and a chat to the guide!

Bit off the track and narrow road down but worth the effort. Friendly and informative Kevin at the entrance was a good start, being able to walk about the broch and use your imagination as well as the story boards was also great. Worth the visit

Great place, plenty of sign boards around to explain. Unfortunately Visitors Centre not open so didnt get to see exhibition or ask questions. However we were given a refund for payment we had made. Despite the wind and rain it was nice being there alone and contemplating the lives of those who had lived there so long ago. Fascinating place! Would love to go back and see the exhibition. However I suspect if we hadnt been to Skara Brae the day before we wouldnt have got as much out of it without a guide

An interesting insight into the construction of this Brock as well as the buildings around. Stunning views across to the Rousay.

NOT FREE. Tickets just buy at the site or prebook. Worth to see but not forth the money especially if you are visiting with big family. Its literally 10min to see it all

Iron age broch, one of many along the Eynhallow Sound, signifying the area importance for that era

We absolutely loved visiting this ancient settlement.Free parking a short walk from the site, we visited at low season and it was free to enter.Lots of noticeboards around with information. You could walk in and around the various areas of the settlement and get a real feel for what life would have been like here.The location is beautiful and we also sat watching gannets diving, Fulmers nesting, cormorants on the beach, starlings feeding their young and seals bobbing in the water.A must see if youre on Orkney.

Well set up grounds around the broch and pictish village, small informational display at the ticket office. Very well preserved and interesting.

Brochs are very interesting and intriguing. Built before written history....Substantially built with significant human resources of the era. This site is a great example - as not only the central Broch but the layout of the village around it clearly visible. Passionate on-site staff happy to give impromptu explanations and indoors there is a small interpretative exhibition with cool artefacts. You can walk the streets and the houses of this ancient village in a beautiful scenic part of Orkney looking towards the island of Rousay which also has many burial chambers - known as Cairns - that you can intimately explore. We are from Australia and were visiting for a week - after Ring if Brogdar area, this was the next best archaeological experience - but the smaller sites are pure fun so do them too!

Wonderful Broch. Very interesting and informative. Ranger was very helpful.

The Broch of Gurness is a must if you visit Orkney mainland. Very atmospheric and informative in a beautiful locationKevin the archeologist in the visitor centre made our visit exceptionally good.He was so engaging and his knowledge and enthusiasm made our visit very memorable

An absolutely marvellous place to visit and great that we could wander freely around the Iron Age ruins. The visitor centre was very interesting - only a shame that there were no toilets considering we were charged a entrance fee of £7 per adult.

I thought this was better than Skara Brae as you can walk within the stones here

What a beautiful, and interesting place to see. To read its history, and be able to walk around it was amazing. A must see if youre in the area.

Excellent place to visit. Very atmospheric and bristling with history. Unfortunately the visitor centre was closed when we visited but the broch and other buildings were open and accessible. Good information boards on site too. Its in a beautiful location, with a stroll along the beach very much part of the magic. Essential visit on mainland Orkney.

Great place to visit and stunning views

Amazing place u can actually visualise what the Picts homes would have been like! Lovley location by the sea def worth a visit

Free car park a few metres from the entrance, on our visit it was open but no-one on site, a lovely walk around the ruins with great views over the beach and sea.

Good walk and great site to visit. So much wildlife to see beside the site. Dogs loved it as did I

Really interesting place. Fantastic views, would recommend.Very friendly grey cat - hope someone is looking after him?

Important archeological site set in a magical waterside location. Tours in the summer on Mondays & Tuesdays are well worthwhile. My partner & I quickly fell in love with our guide Sarah, who was witty and engaging in equal measure. Special credit to her for bringing its ancient & archeological-survey history alive.

Loved ot. Guide was fantastic would recommend booking the talk brought it to life.

Cracking site went early morning and had the place to ourselves.Ancestors were as smart as we think we are nowadays.Well worth a visit.

This was a pleasant surprise, offering so much more than expected. The site is large but compact, so you could see lots in a small area. It is also varied with gulleys, mounds and lots of stoneworks, feature the Broch (round building).The highlight is being able to walk and explore nearly anywhere among the "ruins", including entering the Broch itself and its chambers.

Stunning site to visit in a remote part of the mainland. Very helpful person on duty who told us so much to get us started but then let us wander round the site on our own. Fascinating homes in a village round the Broch which is amazingly well preserved with plenty of information boards around to explain each part of the site.My wife is disabled but was able to manage quite a large part of it on her crutches. I would recommend it highly.

Great place, loved seeing the buildings and very well set out.

Visited in winter; but could still explore site even though it was closed. What an amazing setting. Especially in good weather, which we enjoyed.

Absolutely fabulous! Would definitely come back again. Great place for those who are interested in history and children!

Seems to be somewhat off the beaten tourist track and meant we could explore it without the crowds. Beautiful!

A whistle-stop visit to the Broch, since we were on a tight schedule.It is located in a remote place next to the coast, some three narrow winding lanes off the main road.We received a warm welcome from the duty steward, and had a quick look at the small museum displays, before venturing out to the site, which was having its fortnightly strim.The grounds are kept in very good condition.It was a very interesting place, and we only wished we could have stayed longer.

Nice setting with wonderful views (blue water, green grass). Very interesting prehistoric village. Dog friendly.

Remarkable remains of old Broch (towerand iron age village that were uncovered in 1930s. It is in a magical position on the edge of the channel between the mainland and Eynhallow island. Good interpretive signs guide you through the ruins: homes, pottery kiln, possible blacksmith hearth, latrines, drainage channels and sauna. Amazing and well worth a visit. Adult £6/£4.80 concession, £3.60 child. Parking, no toilet.

An Iron Age settlement with a tower surrounded by houses. Probably a seat of power and prestige within the area because the effort needed to build something like this is huge. Very well presented and cared for. There are no toilets on the site and it can be very windy.

This place is unique because you can explore the ruins. It’s similar to Skara Brae, but with the freedom to enter the Broch. A really novel experience and well worth a visit! We likely would not have done this without the explorer pass, but we certainly are glad that we did. I recommend it!

Was absolutely amazing. Walking up the main entrance is nothing short of majestic, you get a really good feel for what it mightve been like back in the iron age. The tower in the centre still stands about 3 and a half metres tall, which is insane seeing as its been there for about 2000 years. Great scenery all around too, definitely worth a visit. Not much information though sadly, the guide book needs to be purchased.

Very interesting, well-preserved ruins of an Iron-Age stone fort. Fun to explore. The sound it lies on is really beautiful, too. We really enjoyed coming here. Didnt like the fee, but it was well worth it.

Breathtaking place! The view is amazing, and the staff is lovely and knowledgeable. I was impressed with the fact that you can basically walk all over the place. Charged in history and well worth the £6 entry fee.