Welcome
Discover a wildlife haven in the heart of Neolithic Orkney. You'll find the nature reserve at Brodgar in a spectacular setting, sandwiched on a narrow strip of land between the Lochs of Harray and Stenness, bordering the iconic Ring of Brodgar. Curlews, snipe, lapwings, dunlins, redshanks and oystercatchers all call this place home and the lochs can be a wonderful place to scan through the large flocks of ducks, swans and grebes which frequent the area in winter. You may even see a seal basking on an isolated rock by the road, far inland from the sea. Visit in summer and you may spot the rare great yellow bumblebee feeding on the abundant wildflowers on the nature trail.

Level access
Getting here
For further information on accessible travel in Scotland, go to Transport Scotland.Travel by public transport
Bus route X1 passes the end of the B9055 road to the Ring of Brodgar near Stenness. The 8S route also passes the same way, but does not operate daily. Alight at the road end by the brown tourist sign for the Ring of Brodgar and there is a 1.6 mile (2.6 km) walk along a road to the car park at the Ring of Brodgar, from where the reserve can be accessed. The nature trail around the reserve can also be accessed at its southern end, 0.9 miles (1.4 km) from the bus stop along the same route - look out for the RSPB sign on a fence post which leads you onto the trail. Up to date travel information can be found at https://www.orkney.gov.uk/Service-Directory/B/Bus-Services.htm
Travel by taxi
Parking
There is a main car park at Ring of Brodgar with designated accessible parking spaces. There are an additional two designated accessible parking spaces on the road edge by the Ring of Brodgar which shortens the journey distance to the Ring of Brodgar and to the nature reserve trail.
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
Please note that there is no Visitor Centre and there are no buildings at the reserve. The only facilities are a nature trail around the reserve. There are no staff based at the reserve.
Getting around inside
Getting around outside
Designated Walking Trail
RSPB Brodgar Nature Reserve Footpath
The nature trail around Ring of Brodgar reserve is unsurfaced in most places. There is a short section of wooden boardwalk leading from the car park to the road, but the trail once the road has been crossed is generally unsurfaced. The boardwalk can be avoided by using the designated accessible car parking spaces by the roadside, which also shortens the length of the trail. The bulk of the trail is wide and grassy and although not level, most inclines are gentle. A short section between the road and the Ring of Brodgar has additional geogrid embedded matting. The trail can be wet and muddy in places, particularly in winter. There are two benches situated along the trail. There are kissing gates where the trail starts from the road at the north end of the reserve, but these are wide.


Designated Walking Trail
Ring of Brodgar Footpath
There is a shorter trail around the Ring of Brodgar, which is not on RSPB land. The trail around Ring of Brodgar is unsurfaced in most places. There is a short section of wooden boardwalk leading from the car park to the road, but the trail once the road has been crossed is generally unsurfaced. The boardwalk can be avoided by using the designated accessible car parking spaces by the roadside. Much of the trail is wide and grassy (some sections with additional geogrid embedded matting), and although not level, most inclines are gentle. It can be wet and muddy in places, particularly in winter. There are kissing gates where the trail starts from the road at the north end of the reserve, but these are wide.

Customer care support
Accessibility equipment