Tomb of the Eagles
Tomb of the Eagles
4.5
This location was reported permanently closed
About
Perched above the dramatic South Ronaldsay cliffs, the Isbister Chambered Cairn - better known today as the ‘Tomb of the Eagles’ - is one of Orkney’s top archaeological sites. Discovered by chance by local farmer Ronnie Simison in the 1950s, the Stone Age tomb revealed an amazing collection of bones and artefacts, placed here some 5,000 years ago. Roughly half a mile inland from the tomb is a Bronze Age site. It comprises a mound of burnt stone and the remains of a stone building, named after the ‘Liddle’ farm where Ronnie uncovered them. Excavations at the site have led to important discoveries about how people lived and worked in Orkney 3,000 years ago.Enjoy a unique ‘hands-on’ experience at the Visitor Centre, where you can see, and enjoy the privilege of handling some of the original artefacts found at the sites. During the main visitor season, fascinating displays and daily talks offer insights into the lives of these Stone Age and Bronze Age people. Explore some of the questions which remain unanswered. The Gift Shop offers a wide range of items, including many local crafts, books, hot and cold drinks and Orkney ice cream. There is a stunning walk from the Visitor Centre to the tomb, via the Bronze Age site - approximately 1 mile along a well-marked path. The maritime heath and grassland is alive in the summer with birds and wild flowers. More than 50 years after Ronnie Simison came across these remarkable sites, his family invite you to come and enjoy these well-loved visitor attractions.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.5
497 reviews
Excellent
335
Very good
107
Average
32
Poor
13
Terrible
10
KatrinaN711
Downham Market, UK220 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
Permanently closed sign says it all. Quite a disappointment given the drive to get there Maybe had we looked it up somewhere we may have realised but we assumed our tourist map would be up to date. However it was a beautiful day and the views of Scapa Flow and the Churchill barriers ensured the journey was not a wasted one
Written 4 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bathwick
Launceston, UK103 contributions
Mar 2013 • Couples
Of all the sites to visit on Orkney if you are short of time miss this one out. It's expensive, you get lectured at rather than talked to and when you get to the tomb it's somewhat of an anti-climax. There are interesting artefacts shown to you, and some you can handle, but the obviously knowledgeable lady does go on at great length. We were told there would be some sort of trolley to pull ourselves in to the tomb with, instead of crawling on all fours, but nothing but very thin kneepads which were woefully inadequate. The torch to use to see the skulls in the tomb was desperate for new batteries. I suggest the site should be checked more often. Once inside there was 'Neolithic' red and white striped tape and a sign warning us of danger. Too late as we had already been stung.
On our return journey we stopped to look at the Bronze age site. This had weeds and grass growing out of it and was badly neglected. As for the second world war German field ambulance which is there, it was as appropriate as a Spitfire at Stonehenge.
If you are walking the coast of South Ronaldsay and are passing the tomb look in but don't waste £7 each paying to view.
On our return journey we stopped to look at the Bronze age site. This had weeds and grass growing out of it and was badly neglected. As for the second world war German field ambulance which is there, it was as appropriate as a Spitfire at Stonehenge.
If you are walking the coast of South Ronaldsay and are passing the tomb look in but don't waste £7 each paying to view.
Written 25 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa P
Glasgow, UK43 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We visited the Tomb of the Eagles yesterday. Its undoubtedly an interesting place with archeological significance. The sites themselves are a bit of a walk from the visitor centre but that was fine for us. My husband went inside the tomb but I didn't bother because of the small doorway. The coastal walk back was highly impressive and mildly terrifying, although completely safe. That's the positives.
However, before we went out to the tombs and enjoyed the walks, we went to the visitor centre, were greeted warmly and were told about the various rooms in the centre relating to the different sites. So we paid our money and were shown into a room where a small group of people were in the middle of a presentation given by a guide.
We joined the group and were asked where we were from. When we said we were from Glasgow, the guide cracked a joke with another visitor about needing to go and lock his car, the implication being that people from Glasgow are thieves. Aye, okay then.
The style of the delivery of information is like a lecture. The guides have a narrative and they stick to it and I think a refresh is needed. It is overlong. Two more times there were jokes made at our expense, the last one being when the guides changed over, the first guy said to watch out for the big guy from Glasgow.
I have no doubt that these comments were intended to be comedic, a bit of banter, but it just made me angry and we left without completing the visit to the centre.
So here is my feedback. Think about refreshing the actual experience. There's good information, interesting knowledge to share that more visitors would enjoy if the delivery was not someone talking at you.
The reinforcing of negative stereotypes based on where someone is from is not cool. Even when well intentioned, it is at best boring (as I said at the time) and at worst, insulting.
Finally, never ask someone from Glasgow in the context of a public event if they are green or blue.
However, before we went out to the tombs and enjoyed the walks, we went to the visitor centre, were greeted warmly and were told about the various rooms in the centre relating to the different sites. So we paid our money and were shown into a room where a small group of people were in the middle of a presentation given by a guide.
We joined the group and were asked where we were from. When we said we were from Glasgow, the guide cracked a joke with another visitor about needing to go and lock his car, the implication being that people from Glasgow are thieves. Aye, okay then.
The style of the delivery of information is like a lecture. The guides have a narrative and they stick to it and I think a refresh is needed. It is overlong. Two more times there were jokes made at our expense, the last one being when the guides changed over, the first guy said to watch out for the big guy from Glasgow.
I have no doubt that these comments were intended to be comedic, a bit of banter, but it just made me angry and we left without completing the visit to the centre.
So here is my feedback. Think about refreshing the actual experience. There's good information, interesting knowledge to share that more visitors would enjoy if the delivery was not someone talking at you.
The reinforcing of negative stereotypes based on where someone is from is not cool. Even when well intentioned, it is at best boring (as I said at the time) and at worst, insulting.
Finally, never ask someone from Glasgow in the context of a public event if they are green or blue.
Written 9 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your honest review.
The guide is a new member of our team and still in training. He now realises his banter was totally inappropriate and asked us to convey the following:
“I am genuinely sorry for the offence which my comments unintentionally caused. In acknowledgement of your valid and constructive feedback, I fully intend to change my delivery style.”
We are truly sorry that we were unable to make amends before you left.
Written 11 May 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bob J
Canby, OR396 contributions
Sept 2011 • Couples
We did get some decent information about the site, but were told there would be two talks, one of five minutes and one of 15 minutes, before we could go out to see the two ancient sites on the property. An hour and a half later we were finally "released" to visit the two sites. To see them would have taken another hour and a half according to the steward. Most of the information would be good for primary school children or people who had never visited any type of neolithic structure, but mostly it seemed like the guide liked to hear herself talk. We drove away without seeing anything except the visitor's centre displays and were glad to be free. With the long drive to get there and long drive back to Kirkwall, we wasted a precious morning on Orkney. Save yourself the frustration--there's plenty of other things to do and see on Mainland, Ornkey.
Written 23 September 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce J
Monmouth, UK219 contributions
Aug 2019
Very interesting talks before the walk out to the tomb. Plenty of ancient bits being passed around. In many ways I preferred this to Skara Brae, it was a bit more accessible and homely in the way that corpses being picked clean by raptors can sometimes be. The walk out to the tomb is quite long but the path is easy underfoot. Getting into the tomb involves a trolley which is moderately entertaining. If you are easily embarrassed you might want to give this part a skip. The loop back from the tomb is a nice clifftop walk with the various wild plants neatly labelled.
Written 27 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Looks like a happy time throughout your visit. I imagine there’s many funny/embarrassing photos and videos buzzing around the internet!
Thanks for taking the time to send a review.
Written 31 August 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Geo-0131
Edinburgh, United Kingdom196 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides in the visitor centre give an interesting talk prior to your visit to the tomb and a bronze-age site, which helps with interpretation.
A pleasant 1 mile walk up a grassy track to the Tomb, and wonderful sea views if you choose to walk along the cliff tops.
Nice and bright inside the Tomb and a handy giant skateboard for ease of access!
Two hours well spent.
A pleasant 1 mile walk up a grassy track to the Tomb, and wonderful sea views if you choose to walk along the cliff tops.
Nice and bright inside the Tomb and a handy giant skateboard for ease of access!
Two hours well spent.
Written 14 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlie B
Brompton, UK608 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
This attraction is beautifully organised.......on entry you are given a short talk on neolithic man and the bronze age followed by a superb talk on the various artefacts discovered on the site......skulls, tools, jewellery, weapons etc. What makes it even more exciting is that you get the opportunity to handle the various items. These talks help to serve as a backcloth to the two site that you can then visit...the bronze age structure and the amazing tomb of eagles. Entry to the latter is via a small tunnel through which you pass via a small bogie and rope pull. Overall a superb attraction and most certainly worth a visit.
Written 9 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Your praise is very much appreciated...thank you.
Written 26 August 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chuck&Susan
Portland, OR99 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
Tomb of the Eagles is an extremely underwhelming place, that is over-priced, not well kept up, and not worth the stop. Here is the quality of the site in nutshell: Instead of movement activated lighting of dark corners, one finds a greasy, weak flashlight chained to the ground to use for viewing. That pretty much says it all. We were sorry we stopped.
Written 14 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your comments - we would have welcomed feed-back at the time so that your issues could have been properly addressed.
Due to constraints set by Historic Scotland, developments such as you expected are unfeasible. Torches are attached because they were continually stolen or destroyed. The Tomb, including the torches, are checked daily.
We are passionately inspired by the skills and way of life of our ancestors. Unfortunately, in this instance, we have all failed to inspire. Please accept our apologies.
Written 17 May 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
reoYorkshire
Yorkshire32 contributions
Sept 2014 • Friends
This was an exceptionally good experience. the staff at the Visitors Centre were very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. It was great to actually hold Neolithic tools. The tomb itself was a pleasant walk from the Centre. Getting into the tomb was great fun. You can either lie on a little trolley and pull yourself along for about 10 feet into the tomb or you can use knee pads and go on hands and knees. I am 65 and certainly not super fit but managed it with no problem. The advantage was you had a real chance to soak up the atmosphere without being surrounded by crowds.
Written 23 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your wonderful accurate account of the experience on offer here. ...age is no barrier!
Written 26 September 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
gjh75
Glasgow, UK10 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
Presentation was very long and although the young guide obviously knew what he was talking about his presentation skills were somewhat lacking. After a long walk to the tomb not very much to see, indeed the first site visited looked "home made". If it had cost a couple of pound that would be fine, but certainly not worth £7. All in all a bit amateur - visit maeshowe instead, cheaper and more interesting presentation.
Written 31 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We believe that the ancestors would have been delighted with their 3000 year old "home made" building......fireplace, cooking pot, running water into the building and drainage system out....only a few of the "mod cons" of the site.
Written 3 August 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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