Plans have been submitted to develop a new visitor centre on the Orkney Islands.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is proposing to redevelop the former Stenness Day Centre into a visitor facility for tourists travelling to Maeshowe Chambered Cairn.

Councillors have now agreed the building should serve a visitor centre for the next two years.

HES said moving the Tormiston Mill Visitor Centre to Stenness would allow the organisation to improve its visitor and staff facilities and parking, as well as providing a separate shuttle bus area to help ease congestion. Plans are also being explored to introduce virtual reality headsets to boost visitor experience.


Lucy Vaughan, Head of Conservation North for HES, said: "We are delighted that Orkney Islands Council has voted to allow us the use of the Stenness Day Care Centre for the next two years, and hope to have this operational as a visitor centre for the start of the busy tourist season.

"I'd like to thank officials at HES and OIC for all the work they have put in behind the scenes, making sure our proposals provide the best use of space and consider community concerns – in particular the matter of parking, which we've ensured will match tour numbers.

"We are committed to finding a long-term, sustainable future for Maeshowe Chambered Cairn, and discussions on this are ongoing."

(LM/CD)