Birsay

File:Birsay banner Brough of Birsay - Brough of Birsay Birsay is a small village on the north coast of Orkney Islands | Orkney Mainland. It's the site of the ruined Earl's Palace and just offshore is the Brough of Birsay with medieval Norse remains. The surrounding farmland is dotted with ancient standing stones, some incorporated into fence-posts.

Earl's Palace, Birsay in summer 2022 (2) - Earl's Palace, Birsay

Travel to Birsay

How to travel to Birsay by car

From Kirkwall, take the A965 towards Stromness. The direct route is to turn right at Stenness onto A986, which at Twatt becomes A967, keep following it north to the junction of A966. You're now at Birsay, with the palace just left.

A slow scenic route is to turn off A965 earlier at Finstown onto A966 and follow this round the north coast past Tingwall and Broch of Gurness to meet A967 at Birsay.

From Stromness, take the A965 out of town and after a mile fork left onto A967. Branch left onto either B-road if you want to visit Skara Brae, otherwise continue north. A987 is joined by A986 around Twatt, continue north to Birsay.

Travel by Bus to Birsay

Viking Remains, Brough of Birsay - - 488680 - Viking Remains, Brough of Birsay

Henry Hudson, Cook, Frobisher: so many ill-fated expeditions have passed through the Orkneys. And then there’s the bus service to Birsay and Skara Brae.

There’s nothing on Sunday. The options Monday to Sat are:

Bus 6 from Kirkwall at 07:00 and 17:10 to Birsay, 45 min, back 07:50 and 18:00. This runs along the north coast via Tingwall (for Rousay ferry) and Evie (for Broch of Gurness) but doesn’t serve Skara Brae.

Bus 7 from Kirkwall at 13:40 and 17:30 to Birsay, with the earlier bus heading back to Kirkwall at 14:10 while the later bus continues at 18:10 to Stromness. It doesn’t pass Skara Brae, but you can get off at Sandwick 2 miles away. The reverse service from Stromness only runs at 06:30 and 07:30.

Bus 8S from Kirkwall at 09:15 via Stenness to Skara Brae (1 hr) then into Stromness, from there at 10:30 to Skara Brae, at 10:50 on to Birsay and return to Kirkwall by noon. It also runs from Kirkwall at 13:15 and 16:45 via Stromness to Skara Brae (50 min), Birsay and back to Kirkwall.

A tour bus T11 is advertised but doesn't appear to be running in 2018.

Get Around in Birsay

GPS 59.119|-3.209 Birsay itself is small and easy to walk, but check the tide times before crossing to the Brough. You need wheels to reach outlying sites such as Broch of Gurness and Click Mill, cycling is ideal.

What to See

(For Skara Brae and related neolithic sites, see Stenness.)

• Earl's Palace 1 Bridge, KW17 2LX 59.1300,-3.3153 - Opening Hours: Always open Free Earl's Palace, Birsay - Earls palace birsay 1 The masonry shell of the palace of Robert Stewart, Earl of Orkney, built in the late 16th century and a ruin by the 18th. Robert was the first Earl; his son Patrick the second Earl built the palace at Kirkwall.

• Brough of Birsay 59.137,-3.335 - Opening Hours: Mid-June to Sept daily 09:30-17:30 depending on the tides; closed October - mid June Adult £5 Brough of Birsay - This tidal island, run by /brough-of-birsay/ Historic Scotland, holds Norse ruins from the 9th to 13th century; a Pictish settlement was here from the 7th century. Original artefacts have been moved to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh and replicas placed here and the island has been reinforced to prevent sea erosion of the sites. There's also a 1925 lighthouse and sea-bird colonies. The causeway is passable for two hours either side of low tide: check times online from "Easytide", using Stromness or Tingwall as the reference port.

• Fishermen's Hut and Whalebone: from the Brough of Birsay carpark, walk east along the north shore. About 10 minutes down the path is a small fishermen's hut with adjacent boat rests. Down a nearby narrow stone stairway is a natural spring. A bit farther down the path is a whalebone erected in the late 19th century and a great view of the Brough.
• Barony Mills KW17 2LY - Half-mile inland from Brough ☎ +44 1856 721 439 Opening Hours: May-Sept daily 11:00-17:00 Free Tours and demonstrations of 19th C milling machinery.

• Kirbuster Farm Museum Hundland Road KW17 2LR - 5 miles Southeast of Brough - Opening Hours: March - Oct Monday Tuesday Friday Saturday 10:30-13:00 & 14:30-17:00; Thursday 14:00-17:00, Sunday 12:00-17:00; closed November - Feb Free Illustrates a 19th-century way of life through its farmhouse with traditional stone bed and central hearth.

• On the A966 east towards Evie and Tingwall and the high island seen just north is Rousay. The small island in the channel between is Eynhallow. There's the ruins of a Norse church here and there may have been a monastery. But there's no ferry to the island, you'd need to hire a private boat.
• Broch of Gurness Evie KW17 2NH 59.122,-3.078 from A966 follow lane north - Opening Hours: Daily 09:30-17:30 Adult £6 Broch of Gurness - Broch of Gurness2 - Remains of a village settled from 500-200 BC and the Iron Age. Plus artefacts in the Visitor Centre.

• Click Mill is an 1820 horizontal water-mill, with all its original machinery in working order. It's on Hillside Road between Evie and Dounby. Free, always open.

Top Travel Tips

Lighthouse on Brough of Birsay (4) - Lighthouse on Brough of BirsayBarony Hotel (see "Sleep") rents boats for fishing on Boardhouse Loch.

• Linkshouse - Erlend Williamson Art Fellowship - , south end of main street ☎ +44 1856 721 221 - Thit is no longer a Bed & Breakfast, but runs residential courses for selected artists.

Shopping in Birsay

Palace Stores (KW17 2LX, next to the palace) is the general store for everything. It's open Monday to Saturday 10:00-17:00, Sunday 12:00-17:00.

Halal Food & Restaurants in Birsay

• Birsay Bay Tearoom KW17 2LX - south end of Birsay's main street - Opening Hours: Thursday - Monday 10:30-17:00 Beautiful views of the ocean, Snacks and light meals.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Birsay

Birsay - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Birsay, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Birsay. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Birsay and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Birsay. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Birsay. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Birsay: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Birsay.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Birsay: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Birsay, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Birsay.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Birsay, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Birsay, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Birsay and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Birsay, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Birsay, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Birsay without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Birsay is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Birsay.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Birsay is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Birsay, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Birsay Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Birsay

eHalal Group Birsay is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Birsay. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Birsay.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Birsay ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Birsay. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Birsay, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Birsay are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Ramadan Celebrations in Birsay

Ramadan 2025 in Birsay

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

• Birsay Outdoor Centre KW17 2LY 59.12740,-3.30280 ☎ +44 1856 873 535 Adults £19, juniors £14.35 Three-star hostel with five bedrooms (sleep 26) and 28 campsite pitches. Run by the Orkney local government.

• Barony Hotel KW17 2LS - overlooking Boardhouse Loch ☎ +44 1856 721327 Bed & Breakfast from £40 ppn 3-star, rooms mostly en suite, right by fishing loch.

Go Next

Skara Brae and the Stones of Stenness are a few miles south; beyond those reach either Stromness (for Hoy) or Kirkwall.

Following the north coast, pass Broch of Gurness and Tingwall (for the Rousay ferry) before circling back to the Kirkwall primary street.

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