Kirkwall, Orkney Mainland
★★
Close to the coast on the outskirts of Kirkwall lies Grain Earth House. Recent history has dealt this souterrain a bad hand: today it’s found in the ugliest 1% of the Orkney Islands, right in the middle of a large industrial estate! But after collecting the key and descending the steps you’re transported back two thousand years or more to a hidden underground passageway and small chamber – probably built to store food although this is still open to dispute. A fascinating site and well worth visiting.
🌍 Location
📌 Skua Road, 15-min walk northwest of Kirkwall town centre, Orkney Mainland
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: HY 441116
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 58.988034,-2.973890
🚌 Crowness Crescent | 🚢 Kirkwall ferry terminal (0.5 mi) or Hatston ferry terminal (1 mi)
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
⌚ Access by key from 🔗 Judith Glue shop (opposite St Magnus Cathedral) during opening hours
🎫 Free
💬 Take a torch, although one may be available on site.
