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All 8 Kirkwall Attractions »

The Orkney Museum

Broad Street, Kirkwall, Scotland
01856-873191
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Ranked #2 of 6 attractions in Kirkwall
4.5 of 5 stars 16 Reviews
Type: History Museums
Description: This museum details the 5,000-year history of the islands.
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16 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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    4
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Date Rating
Thunder Bay, Canada
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 May 2012 NEW

The Orkney Museum is a wonderful window into the life of Orcadians in a time long past. Historian and Exhibition Officer Tom Muir is a wealth of information and did an excellent job of explaining how the people of Orkney lived. The gift shop offers a wide range of gifts and texts for historians and tourists alike.

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See 5 more reviews by Beverly S for Kirkwall
Singapore, Singapore
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 May 2012 NEW

Friendly and free. The current exhibition on the recent discovery of a Neolithic settlement is interesting and the explanations are well written.

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Manchester, United Kingdom
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 May 2012

This small museum has a good collection of Orkney archaeology and history. It's just across the road from the cathedral so easy to visit. We were lucky to catch the exhibition on the latest excavations at the Ness of Brodgar which have revealed a hitherto unknown ritual complex from the Bronze age. also ther are Pictish stones and some viking... More

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See 3 more reviews by hilfor for Kirkwall
Atlanta, Georgia
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 April 2012

Well displayed and quite informative. Covers all periods of history from neolithic to the present. Good for all ages and interests.

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See 7 more reviews by VaneesaWL for Kirkwall
Brechin.
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 April 2012

There can be few towns as small as Kirkwall with such an all encompassing museum. It is a great credit to the Trustees and staff.

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See 6 more reviews by Ron L for Kirkwall
Cambridge, United Kingdom
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 February 2012
1
person found this review helpful

I have never particularly enjoyed museums, but I decided to stop by the Orkney Museum to get out of the rain and kill some time while in Kirkwall. I was very pleasantly surprised, and ended up enjoying myself quite a bit. The displays really span all of Orkney's history, and do so in a well-organised and interesting way. Definitely worth... More

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See 2 more reviews by fireontheriver9 for Kirkwall
Melbourne, Australia
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 December 2011

I had read about Orkney before I visited there, but was constantly amazed and excited by the extraordinary length of history that pervades Orkney. From neolithic times to the VIkings to the Scots and to the present day. The museum provides a tabloid of history in a very interesting set of displays and with explanations to assist. I have been... More

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See 3 more reviews by MullSkye for Kirkwall
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 November 2011

everywhere you turn in Orkney history is there staring back at you. this is a wonderful place to start off a trip because you can get an idea of all of the historic things that orkney has to offer then you can explore from there

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See 7 more reviews by Adam L for Kirkwall
Kathmandu, Nepal
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 October 2011

A well presented and preserved, interesting collection of Orkney history and artefacts.

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See 2 more reviews by Rex S for Kirkwall
Northants U.K.
Contributor
20 reviews 20 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 October 2011

Very interesting museum, well laid out, with a wealth of information. Allow half a day as there is so much to see. It is conveniently situated over the road from St Magnus' cathedral.

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