• placement: superzone
  • path: destinations/pois/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-625617596667
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "points-of-interest/brough-of-birsay/453331",
  "destination": "Orkney",
  "title": "orkney",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Orkney",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "country": "Scotland",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Brough of Birsay

At low tide – check tide times at any Historic Environment Scotland site – you can walk out to this windswept island, the site of extensive Norse ruins, including a number of longhouses and the 12th-century St Peter’s Church. There’s also a replica of a Pictish stone found here. This is where St Magnus was buried after his murder on Egilsay in 1117, and the island became a pilgrimage place. The attractive lighthouse has fantastic views. Take a picnic, but don't get stranded…

The Brough features heavily in George Mackay Brown's excellent novel, Magnus.

  • placement: superzone
  • path: destinations/pois/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-812574687210
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "points-of-interest/brough-of-birsay/453331",
  "destination": "Orkney",
  "title": "orkney",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Orkney",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "country": "Scotland",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Must-see attractions

Explore all
  • placement: superzone
  • path: destinations/pois/superzone
  • containerId: gpt-ad-272043110270
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "points-of-interest/brough-of-birsay/453331",
  "destination": "Orkney",
  "title": "orkney",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Orkney",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "country": "Scotland",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}