Grain Earth House

Orkney Mainland | Kirkwall | Earth house | ★★

[Grain Earth House]

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.

[Grain Earth House entrance]

📌 Grain Earth House ★★
Location: Skua Road, 15-min walk northwest of Kirkwall town centre, G.R.: HY 441116 ///cowering.braced.tomb
Open (2019): Access by key from Judith Glue shop (opposite St Magnus Cathedral) during opening hours
Cost: Free
Anything else? Take a torch, although some may be available on site.

[Grain Earth House]

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