About this place
Practical information
Points included in this audio guide
Central Chamber
Maeshowe's near-square central chamber features dry-stone walls rising into a corbelled vault, with four standing megaliths at the corners adding to its commanding scale.
Entrance Passage
A low, narrow passage of massive sandstone slabs leads into Maeshowe's central chamber. Visitors must stoop to enter, and it aligns precisely with the midwinter sunset.
Runic Inscriptions
One of Europe's largest collections of Viking graffiti, carved into the sandstone walls by Norse visitors between around 1125 and 1175 AD.
Side Cells
Three small chambers set into the north, east, and west walls of Maeshowe's central chamber, their entrances raised some 80 cm above the floor — unusually for Orkney cairns.
- 1.Central Chamber
- 2.Entrance Passage
- 3.Runic Inscriptions
- 4.Side Cells
Kids audio available
Kids version available with adapted and fun language for the little ones (10 min)
Prefer to discover on the go?
Buy photo credits and take a photo of any monument. Our AI will recognize it and you'll receive the audio guide instantly.
Share with your family
Share your audio guides with your family using a single access code.
Learn how it works
